Recall 19V073 affects 200 2017-2019 Lifeline Type I and Type Iii ambulances for false brake-light illumination. Repair is free at any franchised Lifeline dealer.
Lifeline is recalling 200 2017-2019 Type I and Type Iii ambulances because Whelen accessory brake lights can illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed. False brake-light signals can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk; Lifeline will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The brake tail light on 2017-2019 Lifeline Type I and Type Iii ambulances is part of the exterior lighting system. It is supposed to turn on only when the brake pedal is pressed, so drivers behind the ambulance know it is slowing or stopping. Some affected vehicles also have Whelen accessory brake lights tied into that circuit.
On these ambulances, the faulty brake light product and the vehicle wiring do not always match the way the system is supposed to work. Depending on the wiring, the accessory brake lights can illuminate even when the brake pedal is not being pressed. That gives traffic behind the ambulance a false braking signal and makes the vehicle's movements harder to read.
Owners and operators are not given a specific symptom to watch for from inside the ambulance. There is no warning sign before failure. A crew member or technician sees the problem only by checking the rear lights while the brake pedal is not pressed.
Who's affected?
Spans Type I and Type Iii vehicles across the 2017-2019 model years, all using the same brake-light component.
| 2017 Lifeline Type I | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2017 Lifeline Type Iii | Brake lights |
| 2018 Lifeline Type Iii | Brake lights |
| 2019 Lifeline Type Iii | Brake lights |
| 2018 Lifeline Type I | Brake lights |
| 2019 Lifeline Type I | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 200 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
False brake-light illumination gives drivers behind you the wrong signal and can confuse traffic, increasing crash risk. Until the lights are replaced, use extra space, avoid abrupt maneuvers when practical, and schedule the recall repair promptly. Repair is free at any franchised Lifeline dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2019 Lifeline Type I or Type Iii ambulance is included in this recall.
- Contact an authorized Lifeline dealer to schedule the free brake-light replacement that fixes false brake-light illumination.
- Bring the recall notice if Lifeline mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V073 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and leave extra following distance so other drivers have more room if the brake lights illuminate falsely.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Lifeline technician replaces the Whelen accessory brake lights covered by recall 19V073. The repair is open now, and parts and labor are free under the recall. Lifeline has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who paid out of pocket for a related brake light repair before the recall notice. Bring repair paperwork and proof of payment to the service desk, or contact Lifeline customer service to ask how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 31, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 1, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 1, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V073?
Recall 19V073 covers 200 2017-2019 Lifeline Type I and Type Iii ambulances with Whelen accessory brake lights that can falsely illuminate without the brake pedal being pressed. Other drivers can become confused, increasing crash risk. Lifeline dealers will replace the lights for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2019 Lifeline Type I or Type Iii is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific ambulance is included in recall 19V073. If it is, contact a Lifeline dealer or Lifeline customer service at 1-563-578-3317 to arrange the brake-light replacement. Reference recall number 19V073 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the safety recall repair to be completed at no cost, and Lifeline will replace the affected Whelen accessory brake lights free of charge. The recall repair has been available since May 1, 2019.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is brake-light confusion for drivers behind the ambulance. If the brake lights illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed, surrounding traffic can misread the ambulance's movement, increasing crash risk. Confirm the VIN and arrange the free light replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V073000 |
|---|---|
| Lifeline customer service | 1-563-578-3317 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V073 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V073000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall 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 →