Recall 19V159 affects 18 2017-2018 Marion Fire And Emergency vehicles because brake lights can illuminate incorrectly. Whelen will replace them free.
Marion is recalling 18 2017-2018 Fire And Emergency vehicles equipped with Whelen brake lights because the lights can illuminate when the brake pedal is not being pressed. That false brake signal can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk; Marion dealers will repair the brake-light issue free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The brake lights on 2017-2018 Marion Fire And Emergency apparatus tell traffic behind the vehicle when the driver is pressing the brake pedal. On these vehicles, the Whelen brake light assembly receives an electrical signal through its input line. Under normal operation, that signal turns the brake lights on only while the brake pedal is being pressed.
The defect is tied to transient voltage on that input line. In plain terms, a brief unwanted electrical pulse can reach the brake light circuit and make the lights illuminate even when the driver is not braking. That sends the wrong signal to traffic behind the apparatus and means the lighting system does not meet the federal brake-light standard.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or crew member would only notice the problem if the brake lights turn on while the brake pedal is not being pressed.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2017 and 2018 model years for the same brake light component.
| 2018 Marion Fire And Emergency | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2017 Marion Fire And Emergency | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 18 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
When the brake lights illuminate at the wrong time, drivers behind the vehicle can misread whether it is slowing or stopping. That confusion increases crash risk, so schedule the recall repair soon and drive cautiously until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Marion dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Marion Fire And Emergency vehicle is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Marion dealer to schedule the free Whelen brake-light replacement that stops the lights from illuminating when the brake pedal is not pressed.
- Reference recall number 19V159 when you call, and bring the recall notice if Marion sent one.
- Drive with extra space around the vehicle until the repair is complete, because incorrect brake-light illumination can confuse other drivers.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Marion technician replaces the affected Whelen brake lights so they respond correctly to brake-pedal input. The brake-light replacement and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for this brake-light repair before the recall notice, ask Marion how to submit repair documentation under the general reimbursement plan on file. Bring invoices or service paperwork so the service desk can match the paid repair to this recall.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 1, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 1, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| March 1, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 3, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 8, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V159?
Recall 19V159 covers 18 2017-2018 Marion Fire And Emergency apparatus vehicles equipped with Whelen brake lights that can illuminate when the brake pedal is not being pressed. That false brake-light signal can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Marion Fire And Emergency is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific apparatus is included in recall 19V159. If it is, contact Marion or Whelen customer service at 1-860-526-4078 to arrange the brake-light replacement. Reference recall 19V159 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the defect at no cost, and Marion's recall remedy states that Whelen will replace the affected brake lights free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is driver confusion behind the apparatus. If the brake lights illuminate when the brake pedal is not being pressed, other drivers can misread the vehicle's movement and braking, which increases the risk of a crash.
When did the Marion brake-light recall begin?
The recall began March 3, 2019. Because the repair is available, owners of a 2017-2018 Marion Fire And Emergency apparatus should confirm the VIN and arrange the Whelen brake-light replacement if the vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V159000 |
|---|---|
| Marion customer service | 1-860-526-4078 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V159 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V159000 |
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 →