Recall 19V144 affects 26 2017-2018 4 Guys tanker, pumper, and rescue vehicles for brake lights that illuminate without braking. Repair is free.
4 Guys is recalling 26 2017-2018 Commercial Tanker, Commercial Pumper, Custom Rescue, Custom Pumper, and Commercial Rescue vehicles because Whelen brake lights can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. False brake-light signals can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The brake lights on the 2017-2018 4 Guys Commercial Tanker, Commercial Pumper, Custom Rescue, Custom Pumper, and Commercial Rescue are exterior safety lights mounted at the rear of the vehicle. Their normal job is simple: when the driver presses the brake pedal, the lights come on so traffic behind the truck knows it is slowing or stopping.
The affected trucks were equipped with Whelen brake-light assemblies. On vehicles with the affected wiring setup, the lights can illuminate even when the brake pedal has not been pressed. That sends the wrong signal to drivers behind the truck, because the rear lights show braking when the truck is not actually being braked.
There is no warning sign before failure. From outside the vehicle, an owner or operator can notice brake lights staying on or lighting at the wrong time when the pedal is not being pressed.
Who's affected?
Spans five 4 Guys models across the 2017 and 2018 model years, all tied to brake lights.
| 2017 4 Guys Commercial Tanker | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2018 4 Guys Commercial Pumper | Brake lights |
| 2017 4 Guys Custom Rescue | Brake lights |
| 2017 4 Guys Custom Pumper | Brake lights |
| 2018 4 Guys Commercial Tanker | Brake lights |
| 2018 4 Guys Custom Pumper | Brake lights |
| 2017 4 Guys Commercial Rescue | Brake lights |
| 2018 4 Guys Custom Rescue | Brake lights |
| 2018 4 Guys Commercial Rescue | Brake lights |
| 2017 4 Guys Commercial Pumper | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 26 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Brake lights that illuminate at the wrong time can mislead drivers behind the vehicle. They can read the light as braking when the truck is not slowing, which increases the risk of a crash. Use extra care around following traffic and schedule the recall service. Repair will be free at any franchised 4 Guys dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 4 Guys Commercial Tanker, Commercial Pumper, Custom Rescue, Custom Pumper, or Commercial Rescue is included in this recall.
- Contact 4 Guys customer service at 1-814-634-8373 for owner instructions before scheduling service.
- Ask whether a Whelen dealer will replace the brake lights that illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
- Reference recall number 19V144 when you call.
- Drive with extra space until the brake-light repair is complete, since incorrect brake-light illumination can confuse other drivers.
What happens at the repair
The repair path runs through a Whelen dealer. Once the repair is available, the dealer replaces the affected brake lights so they illuminate only when the brake pedal is pressed. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. 4 Guys began owner notification on February 26, 2019, and listed its customer service line for questions about the campaign. Because reimbursement details are not provided for this recall, ask the dealer how any prior brake light work is handled before authorizing paid repair work.
Timeline
| February 26, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| February 28, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V144?
Recall 19V144 covers 26 2017-2018 4 Guys Commercial Tanker, Commercial Pumper, Custom Rescue, Custom Pumper, and Commercial Rescue vehicles equipped with affected Whelen brake lights. The lights can illuminate without brake-pedal input, which can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 4 Guys Commercial Tanker, Commercial Pumper, Custom Rescue, Custom Pumper, or Commercial Rescue is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V144. If it is, contact 4 Guys customer service at 1-814-634-8373 or a Whelen dealer to arrange the brake-light replacement. Reference recall number 19V144 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy for recall 19V144 is a free brake-light replacement through Whelen dealers.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is driver confusion behind the vehicle. On affected 4 Guys vehicles, the brake lights can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. Other drivers can react to a false braking signal, increasing crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V144000 |
|---|---|
| 4 Guys customer service | 1-814-634-8373 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V144 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V144000 |
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 →