Recall 19V162 covers 5 2017-2019 Darley Fire Apparatus fire trucks with brake lights that illuminate incorrectly. Free replacement brake lights through Darley.
Darley is recalling 5 2017-2019 Fire Apparatus trucks because Whelen brake lights can illuminate when the brake pedal is not being pressed. False brake-light signals can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk; Darley dealers will correct the brake-light issue free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The brake lights on 2017-2019 Darley Fire Apparatus tell traffic behind the truck when the driver is braking. On these trucks, Whelen rear brake lamps receive an electrical signal and illuminate so following drivers can judge when the fire apparatus is slowing or stopped.
On affected trucks, transient voltage on the input line can create a false, steady brake-light signal. The light can stay on even when the brake pedal is not being pressed. The problem depends on the truck's wiring and other installed equipment, so a lamp that passed inspection can still show the defect after it is in service.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or fleet technician can notice the problem only by seeing the rear brake lights illuminated when no one is pressing the brake pedal, or by confirming the affected Whelen part and date code on the back of the lamp.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2017, 2018, and 2019 model years, all tied to the same brake-light component.
| 2019 Darley Fire Apparatus | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2018 Darley Fire Apparatus | Brake lights |
| 2017 Darley Fire Apparatus | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 5 |
| 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?
Incorrectly illuminated brake lights can confuse drivers behind the fire apparatus and increase the risk of a crash. Because other drivers rely on those lights to judge stopping and slowing, schedule the repair promptly if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Darley dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2019 Darley Fire Apparatus is included in this recall.
- Contact Darley customer service at 1-800-634-7812 to schedule the free brake-light replacement that stops the lights from illuminating when the brake pedal is not pressed.
- Reference recall number 19V162 when you call, and bring the recall notice if Darley sent one.
- Drive with extra space until the repair is complete, since incorrect brake-light illumination can confuse traffic behind the fire apparatus.
What happens at the repair
At service, a Darley technician replaces the affected Whelen brake lights so they illuminate only when the brake pedal is pressed. The replacement lights and labor are free under recall 19V162, and the repair is available now. Darley used its general reimbursement plan on file, so owners who already paid for brake light work tied to this defect can ask Darley customer service about documented reimbursement. Keep receipts and prior repair paperwork with the vehicle file.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 4, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 4, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 18, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V162?
Recall 19V162 covers 5 2017-2019 Darley Fire Apparatus vehicles with Whelen brake lights that can illuminate when the brake pedal is not being pressed. Darley will provide replacement brake lights free of charge.
What should I do if my 2017-2019 Darley Fire Apparatus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific fire apparatus is included in recall 19V162. If it is, contact Darley customer service at 1-800-634-7812 and arrange the free replacement brake lights. Reference recall number 19V162 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to complete the recall remedy at no cost, and Darley's remedy provides replacement brake lights free of charge for vehicles included in recall 19V162.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is confusion for other drivers. If the brake lights illuminate when the brake pedal is not being pressed, traffic behind the vehicle receives the wrong signal, increasing the risk of a crash.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V162000 |
|---|---|
| Darley customer service | 1-800-634-7812 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V162 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V162000 |
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 →