Recall 19V155 affects 12 2017-2018 Maintainer Rescue vehicles for brake lights that illuminate without braking. Repair is free at any franchised Maintainer dealer.
Maintainer is recalling 12 2017-2018 Rescue vehicles equipped with Whelen brake lights because the lights can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. Incorrect brake-light signals can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk, and Maintainer dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The brake lights on the 2017-2018 Maintainer Rescue are rear exterior lights that tell traffic behind the truck when the driver is braking. They are supposed to turn on only when the brake pedal is pressed, then turn off when the pedal is released. On an emergency response body, that signal helps other drivers understand whether the truck is slowing or stopped.
On affected Rescue vehicles equipped with Whelen brake lights, the specific wiring setup allows transient voltage on the input line to falsely activate the lights. That stray voltage makes the brake light stay on even when the driver is not pressing the pedal. The light is giving the wrong signal, so traffic behind the truck sees braking that is not actually happening.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is visible from outside the truck when the brake lights remain illuminated without pedal input, so the driver does not get a separate in-cab warning before the light gives a false brake signal.
Who's affected?
| 2017 Maintainer Rescue | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2018 Maintainer Rescue | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 12 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 12 field incidents to date. |
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?
Incorrect brake light illumination can confuse drivers behind the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the replacement promptly and use extra care around traffic until the lights are replaced. Repair is free at any franchised Maintainer dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Maintainer Rescue is included in this recall.
- Contact Maintainer customer service at 1-800-831-8588 to obtain the free replacement brake lights.
- Reference recall number 19V155 when you call, and ask whether the replacement brake lights will be shipped or installed by a service provider.
- Replace the Whelen brake lights that illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed.
- Drive cautiously until the replacement lights are installed, since false brake-light signals can confuse drivers behind you.
What happens at the repair
Maintainer directs owners on how to obtain replacement Whelen brake lights at no charge. For an affected Rescue vehicle, the repair path is replacement of the brake lights covered by the recall, with parts provided free under campaign 19V155. If you already paid out of pocket for replacement brake lights before the recall notice, Maintainer has a general reimbursement plan on file. Contact Maintainer customer service or Whelen customer service and ask what documentation the plan requires for a reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 12, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| March 1, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V155?
Recall 19V155 covers 12 2017-2018 Maintainer Rescue vehicles equipped with Whelen brake lights that can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. That false brake-light signal can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk. Maintainer provides replacement brake lights free of charge.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Maintainer Rescue is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V155. If it is, contact Maintainer customer service at 1-800-831-8588 for instructions on obtaining the replacement brake lights. Reference recall number 19V155 when you call. The replacement is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the defect at no cost, and Maintainer's remedy for recall 19V155 is replacement brake lights free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2018.
Is it safe to drive my Maintainer Rescue before the brake lights are replaced?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The safety issue is that the brake lights can illuminate without pedal input, which can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then follow Maintainer's instructions for the free replacement brake lights.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V155000 |
|---|---|
| Maintainer customer service | 1-800-831-8588 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V155 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V155000 |
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 →