Recall 18V874 affects 319 2017-2018 Rosenbauer Fire Apparatus vehicles for brake lights that illuminate without braking. Repair is free at any franchised Rosenbauer dealer.
Rosenbauer is recalling 319 2017-2018 Fire Apparatus vehicles because Whelen accessory brake lights can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. That false brake signal can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk, and Rosenbauer dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The brake lights on 2017-2018 Rosenbauer Fire Apparatus vehicles are exterior lamps that tell traffic behind the apparatus when the operator is braking. These vehicles use Whelen accessory brake lights, which are part of the rear lighting system. The lights are supposed to turn on only when the brake pedal is pressed.
On affected vehicles, a transient electrical load on the brake lamp input line can send the lights the wrong signal. The lamps illuminate even though the brake pedal has not been pressed. That gives traffic behind the apparatus a false braking signal and puts the vehicle out of compliance with FMVSS 108.
The owner-visible sign is brake lamps lighting when no one is pressing the brake pedal. This can happen without warning, so an operator or fleet technician should treat unexplained brake-light illumination as the defect symptom.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2017 and 2018 model years, with brake lights as the shared component.
| 2018 Rosenbauer Fire Apparatus | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2017 Rosenbauer Fire Apparatus | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 319 |
| 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?
Brake lights that turn on when the vehicle is not braking can confuse traffic behind you and increase crash risk. If other drivers report the lamps glowing at the wrong time, schedule service soon and drive cautiously until it is inspected. Repair is free at any franchised Rosenbauer dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Rosenbauer Fire Apparatus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Rosenbauer dealer to schedule the free brake-light inspection and replacement for lights that illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed.
- Bring the recall notice if Rosenbauer mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V874 when you call.
- Call Rosenbauer customer service at 1-651-462-1000 with questions about scheduling or dealer handling.
- Avoid unnecessary operation until the repair is complete if the brake lights illuminate without brake-pedal pressure.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Rosenbauer technician inspects the accessory brake light wiring and brake lights on the affected Fire Apparatus vehicle. If the lights are covered by recall 18V874 and the inspection shows the issue, the technician replaces the brake lights free of charge. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. The repair is available now, so schedule with a Rosenbauer dealer and describe the Whelen accessory brake light recall when you call.
Timeline
| December 7, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 20, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| December 20, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 20, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 31, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 24, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V874?
Recall 18V874 covers 319 2017-2018 Rosenbauer Fire Apparatus vehicles equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights. The brake lights can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed, which fails FMVSS 108 and can confuse drivers behind the vehicle.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Rosenbauer Fire Apparatus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific fire apparatus is included in recall 18V874. If it is, contact a Rosenbauer dealer for an inspection and brake-light replacement if needed. Reference recall 18V874 when you call. Rosenbauer customer service is at 1-651-462-1000.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Rosenbauer dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the affected brake lights if needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is driver confusion behind the apparatus. If the brake lights illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed, another driver can misread the vehicle's movement and react incorrectly, increasing crash risk. The dealer repair addresses the affected brake lights for free.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V874000 |
|---|---|
| Rosenbauer customer service | 1-651-462-1000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V874 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V874000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →