Recall 18V920 covers 28 2017-2019 Custom Truck & Body Works ambulances and trucks for false brake-light illumination. Repair is free at any franchised Custom Truck & Body Works dealer.
Custom Truck & Body Works is recalling 28 2017-2019 Tanker, Pumper, Rescue Truck, and Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 Ambulance vehicles equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights that can illuminate without brake-pedal input. False brake-light signals can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk; the recall repair is free through Custom Truck & Body Works.
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What's wrong?
The affected 2017-2019 Custom Truck & Body Works Tanker, Pumper, Rescue Truck, Type 1 Ambulance, Type 2 Ambulance, and Type 3 Ambulance vehicles use Whelen accessory brake lights. These lights are supposed to turn on only when the brake pedal is pressed. They tell drivers behind the truck that the vehicle is slowing or stopped.
On affected vehicles, the brake light circuit can receive transient voltage on the input line. That means a brief electrical signal reaches the light when it should not. Depending on how the truck is wired, that signal can hold the accessory brake lights on even though the driver has not touched the brake pedal.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or operator would only know the problem is happening if the brake lights stay illuminated while the brake pedal is not being pressed, or if another person sees the lights from outside the vehicle.
Who's affected?
Spans six specialty body types across the 2017-2019 model years, all tied to brake lights.
| 2019 Custom Truck & Body Works Tanker | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2019 Custom Truck & Body Works Type 2 Ambulance | Brake lights |
| 2018 Custom Truck & Body Works Type 2 Ambulance | Brake lights |
| 2017 Custom Truck & Body Works Type 2 Ambulance | Brake lights |
| 2018 Custom Truck & Body Works Type 3 Ambulance | Brake lights |
| 2017 Custom Truck & Body Works Type 3 Ambulance | Brake lights |
| 2017 Custom Truck & Body Works Rescue Truck | Brake lights |
| 2019 Custom Truck & Body Works Pumper | Brake lights |
| 2017 Custom Truck & Body Works Pumper | Brake lights |
| 2018 Custom Truck & Body Works Type 1 Ambulance | Brake lights |
| 2019 Custom Truck & Body Works Type 3 Ambulance | Brake lights |
| 2018 Custom Truck & Body Works Tanker | Brake lights |
| 2017 Custom Truck & Body Works Tanker | Brake lights |
| 2019 Custom Truck & Body Works Type 1 Ambulance | Brake lights |
| 2017 Custom Truck & Body Works Type 1 Ambulance | Brake lights |
| 2019 Custom Truck & Body Works Rescue Truck | Brake lights |
| 2018 Custom Truck & Body Works Rescue Truck | Brake lights |
| 2018 Custom Truck & Body Works Pumper | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 28 |
| 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?
False brake light illumination can make other drivers think the vehicle is slowing or stopping when it is not, which increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the repair soon and leave extra following distance until it is completed. Repair is free at any franchised Custom Truck & Body Works dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2019 Custom Truck & Body Works Tanker, Type 1 Ambulance, Type 2 Ambulance, Type 3 Ambulance, Rescue Truck, or Pumper is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Custom Truck & Body Works dealer to schedule the free brake-light replacement that fixes false brake-light illumination.
- Bring the recall notice if Custom Truck & Body Works mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V920 when you call.
- Avoid operating the vehicle if the brake lights illuminate without pressing the brake pedal, and tell the dealer about the symptom when you schedule service.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Custom Truck & Body Works technician replaces the Whelen accessory brake lights covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free of charge. If you already paid related labor charges or shipping costs for this brake light issue, Whelen has promised reimbursement for reasonable charges. Keep your invoice, labor documentation, and shipping proof, then contact Custom Truck & Body Works or Whelen customer service to start the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 20, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 28, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 1, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| March 1, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 8, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V920?
Recall 18V920 covers 28 2017-2019 Custom Truck & Body Works emergency vehicles equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights. The brake lights can illuminate even when the brake pedal is not pressed. Dealers will replace the brake lights for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2019 Custom Truck & Body Works emergency vehicle is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V920. If it is, contact a Custom Truck & Body Works dealer to schedule the brake-light replacement. Reference recall number 18V920 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. Custom Truck & Body Works dealers will replace the affected Whelen accessory brake lights free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is false brake-light illumination. If the brake lights turn on when the pedal is not pressed, nearby drivers can misread the vehicle's movement and react incorrectly, increasing crash risk. The free repair replaces the affected brake lights.
When did the recall repair become available?
The recall began February 28, 2019, so the brake-light replacement is available now for included vehicles. Check your VIN first, then call a Custom Truck & Body Works dealer with recall number 18V920 to schedule the free repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V920000 |
|---|---|
| Custom Truck & Body Works customer service | 1-706-553-9178 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V920 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V920000 |
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 →