Recall 18V622 covers 111 2017-2019 Kme Commercial and Predator vehicles with brake lights that illuminate without braking. Repair is free at any franchised Kme dealer.
Kme is recalling 111 2017-2019 Commercial Pumper, Commercial Tanker, and Predator Aerial vehicles equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights because the lights can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. That false brake signal can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk; Kme dealers will repair the lighting issue free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The affected 2017-2019 Kme fire apparatus use Whelen accessory brake lights as part of the exterior lighting system. These lights tell traffic behind the apparatus that the brake pedal has been pressed and the vehicle is slowing or stopped. That signal needs to match the driver’s brake input.
On the recalled vehicles, the brake light circuit can receive transient voltage on the input line. In plain terms, a brief unwanted electrical signal reaches the brake light circuit. Depending on how a specific vehicle is wired, that signal turns the accessory brake lights on even though the brake pedal has not been pressed.
That creates a false brake signal for anyone behind the vehicle. There is no warning sign before failure. The driver does not get a separate alert that the accessory brake lights have illuminated at the wrong time.
Who's affected?
Spans Commercial and Predator fire apparatus across the 2017-2019 model years, all tied to brake lights.
| 2019 Kme Commercial Pumper | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2019 Kme Commercial Tanker | Brake lights |
| 2019 Kme Commercial Wildland | Brake lights |
| 2018 Kme Predator Panther Tanker | Brake lights |
| 2019 Kme Predator SS Pumper | Brake lights |
| 2018 Kme Predator SS Tda | Brake lights |
| 2019 Kme Predator Aerial | Brake lights |
| 2018 Kme Predator Pumper | Brake lights |
| 2019 Kme Predator Pumper | Brake lights |
| 2018 Kme Predator Rescue | Brake lights |
| 2019 Kme Predator Rescue | Brake lights |
| 2019 Kme Predator Tanker | Brake lights |
| 2018 Kme Predator Tda | Brake lights |
| 2017 Kme Commercial Rescue | Brake lights |
| 2017 Kme Commercial Wildland | Brake lights |
| 2017 Kme Commercial Tanker | Brake lights |
| 2018 Kme Commercial Tanker | Brake lights |
| 2018 Kme Commercial Wildland | Brake lights |
| 2018 Kme Predator Tanker | Brake lights |
| 2017 Kme Commercial Pumper | Brake lights |
| 2018 Kme Commercial Pumper | Brake lights |
| 2018 Kme Predator SS Aerial | Brake lights |
| 2018 Kme Predator SS Pumper | Brake lights |
| 2018 Kme Predator Aerial | Brake lights |
| 2018 Kme Predator Panther Aerial | Brake lights |
| 2018 Kme Predator Panther Pumper | Brake lights |
| 2019 Kme Predator Panther Pumper | Brake lights |
| 2018 Kme Commercial Rescue | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 111 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Unexpected brake-light illumination can make drivers behind the vehicle think the Kme apparatus is braking when it is not. That false signal can confuse traffic and increase the risk of a crash. Schedule the brake-light replacement soon, especially before active service use. Repair is free at any franchised Kme dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2019 Kme Commercial Pumper, Commercial Tanker, Commercial Wildland, Commercial Rescue, or Predator model is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Kme dealer to schedule the free brake-light replacement that fixes brake lights that illuminate without pedal input.
- Bring the recall notice if Kme mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V622 when you call.
- Call Kme customer service at 1-800-235-3928 with questions about scheduling or owner notification.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete; incorrectly illuminated brake lights can confuse other drivers.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kme technician replaces the Whelen accessory brake lights covered by recall 18V622. The repair is available now, and parts and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for a related brake light repair before the recall notice, Kme has a general reimbursement plan on file. Ask the service desk how to submit repair paperwork, or contact Kme customer service for the reimbursement process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 13, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| November 1, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 2, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 5, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V622?
Recall 18V622 covers 111 2017-2019 Kme Commercial and Predator emergency vehicles equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights. The lights can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed, which can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk. Kme dealers will replace the brake lights for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2019 Kme Commercial or Predator vehicle is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V622. If it is, contact a franchised Kme dealer to schedule the free brake-light replacement. Reference recall number 18V622 when you call, and ask the service desk what parts or appointment timing they need.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Kme dealers will replace the affected Whelen accessory brake lights free of charge, including the parts and labor tied to recall 18V622.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is false brake-light illumination. If the brake lights turn on when the brake pedal is not pressed, nearby drivers can misread what the vehicle is doing, which increases crash risk. The free dealer repair replaces the affected brake lights.
What if I bought this Kme vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Kme vehicle is included, then call a franchised Kme dealer and reference recall 18V622.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V622000 |
|---|---|
| Kme customer service | 1-800-235-3928 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V622 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V622000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →