Recall 18V897 affects 87 2017-2018 Seagrave Marauder Ii and Capital emergency vehicles for falsely illuminating brake lights. Repair is free at a franchised Seagrave dealer.
Seagrave is recalling 87 2017-2018 Marauder Ii and Capital emergency vehicles because Whelen accessory brake lights can illuminate even when the brake pedal is not pressed. False brake lights can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk; Seagrave dealers will repair the brake-light issue free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The accessory brake lights on the 2017-2018 Seagrave Marauder Ii and Capital are rear lamps that tell people behind the emergency vehicle when the brake pedal is being pressed. In normal operation, the brake input line sends a signal only when the driver applies the brakes, and the light turns on to show actual braking.
On affected trucks, a Whelen firmware change made the light assembly sensitive to transient voltage on that brake input line. A short electrical spike on the wire that carries the brake signal can switch the brake light on even when the brake pedal is not pressed. The problem is in the brake light control, so the lamp can show braking when no braking is happening.
There is no warning sign before failure. The visible clue is the failure itself: the brake light illuminates without brake pedal input, which gives a false braking signal to traffic or crew members behind the vehicle.
Who's affected?
Covers two Seagrave fire apparatus models across the 2017 and 2018 model years, all tied to the brake light system.
| 2017 Seagrave Marauder Ii | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2017 Seagrave Capital | Brake lights |
| 2018 Seagrave Capital | Brake lights |
| 2018 Seagrave Marauder Ii | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 87 |
| 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?
False brake-light illumination can confuse drivers behind the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash. If another driver cannot tell when the vehicle is actually braking, leave extra room and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Seagrave dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2017-2018 Seagrave Marauder Ii or Capital emergency vehicle is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Seagrave dealer to schedule the free brake-light replacement that stops false brake-light illumination.
- Bring the recall notice if Seagrave mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V897 when you call.
- Drive with extra following distance until the repair is complete, and tell operators the brake lights can falsely illuminate without pedal input.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Seagrave technician replaces the Whelen accessory brake lights so they stop falsely illuminating when the brake pedal is not pressed. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. Seagrave has a standard reimbursement plan for this campaign. If you already paid out of pocket for a brake light repair tied to this recall before the owner notice, contact Seagrave customer service with your repair documentation and proof of payment.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 19, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 19, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| December 19, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 6, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 8, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V897?
Recall 18V897 covers 87 2017-2018 Seagrave Marauder Ii and Capital emergency vehicles equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights. The brake lights can illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed, which can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk. Seagrave dealers replace the brake lights for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Seagrave Marauder Ii or Capital is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V897. If it is, contact a franchised Seagrave dealer or Seagrave customer service at 715-823-2141 to schedule the free brake-light replacement. Reference recall 18V897 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Seagrave's recall remedy says dealers will replace the brake lights free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Seagrave dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is driver confusion behind the vehicle. In recall 18V897, the brake lights can illuminate even when the brake pedal is not pressed. Other drivers can misread that signal, which increases crash risk.
When did Seagrave begin this recall repair?
Seagrave began the recall repair on February 8, 2019. If your VIN is included and the brake lights have not been replaced, contact a franchised Seagrave dealer or Seagrave customer service at 715-823-2141 to schedule the free repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V897000 |
|---|---|
| Seagrave customer service | 715-823-2141 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V897 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V897000 |
Source documents
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 →