Recall 19V028 affects 46 2017-2018 Hme 1871 vehicles because Whelen brake lights can illuminate without braking. Repair is free at any franchised Hme dealer.
Hme is recalling 46 2017-2018 1871 vehicles because Whelen accessory brake lights can falsely illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed. That false signal can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk, and the dealer repair will be free once Hme makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The accessory brake lights on the 2017-2018 Hme 1871 are extra rear lights that tell drivers behind the vehicle when the brake pedal is pressed. In normal operation, the pedal switch sends an electrical signal only during braking, and the lights go dark when pressure comes off the pedal.
On these vehicles, the wiring can allow transient voltage on the brake light input line. That means a brief electrical spike reaches the light circuit and holds it on, even though the brake pedal is not being pressed. The result is a false, steady brake light signal that makes the vehicle appear to be braking when it is not.
There is no warning sign before failure. The owner or driver is unlikely to see the rear brake lights from the cab, so the first notice can come from another driver, a service technician, or a walkaround inspection while the vehicle is running.
Who's affected?
The same fuel system component appears in both model years listed below.
| 2017 Hme 1871 | fuel system |
|---|---|
| 2018 Hme 1871 | fuel system |
| Units affected | 46 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. 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 reports that your brake lights stay on or illuminate when you are not braking, schedule service soon and drive with extra care until it is fixed. Repair will be free at any franchised Hme dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Hme 1871 is included in this recall.
- Use the owner letter mailed March 6, 2019, or call Hme customer service at 1-616-534-1463 to confirm current dealer instructions.
- Contact a franchised Hme dealer about the free Whelen brake-light replacement that stops false brake-light illumination.
- Reference recall number 19V028 when you call the dealer.
- Avoid driving until a dealer checks the brake-light behavior if the lights stay on without the pedal pressed.
What happens at the repair
Hme's remedy is a replacement of the Whelen accessory brake lights. Once the dealer repair is available, an Hme technician will remove the affected Whelen brake lights and install replacement brake lights, with parts and labor covered under the recall. The notice says owner notification began March 6, 2019. Owners can contact Hme customer service at 1-616-534-1463 for repair coordination and dealer routing.
Timeline
| January 11, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 11, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 6, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V028?
Recall 19V028 covers 46 2017-2018 Hme 1871 vehicles equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights that can falsely illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed. Hme dealers will replace the Whelen brake lights for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Hme 1871 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V028. If it is, contact a franchised Hme dealer to schedule replacement of the Whelen brake lights. Reference recall number 19V028 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Hme dealers will replace the affected Whelen brake lights free of charge. The recall began on March 6, 2019.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is confusion for other drivers behind the vehicle. If the brake lights illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed, traffic behind the Hme 1871 gets the wrong signal, increasing crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V028000 |
|---|---|
| Hme customer service | 1-616-534-1463 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V028 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V028000 |
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 →