Recall 18V890 covers 121 2017-2018 Frazer ambulances and Mobile Stroke Unit vehicles for false brake-light illumination. Repair is free at a franchised Frazer dealer.
Frazer is recalling 121 2017-2018 Type 1 Ambulance, Type 3 Ambulance, and Mobile Stroke Unit emergency 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 the dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The accessory brake lights on the 2017-2018 Frazer Type 1 Ambulance, Type 3 Ambulance, and Mobile Stroke Unit are extra rear lights tied into the vehicle's brake-light circuit. Their job is simple: when the driver presses the brake pedal, the lights come on so traffic behind the emergency vehicle knows it is slowing or stopped.
On affected Frazer emergency vehicles, the issue is with Whelen accessory brake lights installed during upfit. Depending on how the individual vehicle was wired, those lights can illuminate even when the brake pedal has not been pressed. That gives drivers behind the ambulance a brake signal that does not match what the driver is doing.
There is no warning sign before failure. The symptom is the failure itself: brake lights appearing when the pedal is not applied, which crews or service staff can catch during an exterior light check or while another person watches the rear of the vehicle.
Who's affected?
Covers three Frazer ambulance configurations across the 2017 and 2018 model years, all tied to the brake-light system.
| 2018 Frazer Type 1 Ambulance | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2017 Frazer Type 3 Ambulance | Brake lights |
| 2017 Frazer Mobile Stroke Unit | Brake lights |
| 2018 Frazer Mobile Stroke Unit | Brake lights |
| 2017 Frazer Type 1 Ambulance | Brake lights |
| 2018 Frazer Type 3 Ambulance | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 121 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Brake lights that illuminate at the wrong time can confuse other drivers and raise the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the brake light replacement soon and leave extra space in traffic until the repair is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Frazer dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Frazer Type 1 Ambulance, Type 3 Ambulance, or Mobile Stroke Unit is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Frazer dealer to schedule the free brake-light replacement that stops the accessory brake lights from illuminating when the brake pedal is not pressed.
- Bring the recall notice if Frazer mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V890 when you call.
- Call Frazer customer service at 1-888-372-9371 with questions about the repair or dealer scheduling.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and leave extra following distance so nearby drivers have more time to respond.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Frazer technician replaces the Whelen accessory brake lights covered by this recall. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall, and the repair is available now. If you already paid out of pocket for brake light work tied to this recall, Frazer's general reimbursement plan is on file. Contact Frazer customer service with repair documentation and ask how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 24, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| December 13, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V890?
Recall 18V890 covers 121 2017-2018 Frazer Type 1 Ambulance, Type 3 Ambulance, and Mobile Stroke Unit emergency vehicles with Whelen accessory brake lights. The lights can turn on when the brake pedal is not pressed. Frazer dealers will replace the brake lights for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Frazer Type 1 Ambulance, Type 3 Ambulance, or Mobile Stroke Unit is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific emergency vehicle is included in recall 18V890. If it is, contact a Frazer dealer to schedule the brake-light replacement. Reference recall number 18V890 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Frazer's remedy says dealers will replace the affected brake lights free of charge. Frazer customer service is available at 1-888-372-9371.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is brake-light confusion for drivers behind the vehicle. If the accessory brake lights illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed, other drivers can misread whether the emergency vehicle is slowing or stopping. This raises crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V890000 |
|---|---|
| Frazer customer service | 1-888-372-9371 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V890 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V890000 |
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 →