Recall 19V214 covers 15 2017-2018 Fouts Bros. fire apparatus vehicles with brake lights that illuminate without braking. Fouts Bros. service centers replace them free.
Fouts Bros. is recalling 15 2017-2018 F-Pumper, F-3000, and F-Rescue fire apparatus vehicles because Whelen brake lights can illuminate when the brake pedal is not being pressed. The false brake signal can confuse other drivers and increase the risk of a crash, and Fouts Bros. dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Whelen brake lights on the 2017-2018 Fouts Bros. F-Pumper, F-3000, and F-Rescue fire apparatus are supposed to tell drivers behind the vehicle when the brake pedal is being pressed. The light circuit receives an electrical signal from the brake system, then turns the rear brake lights on only during braking.
On affected vehicles, the issue comes from transient voltage on the brake light input line. In plain terms, a brief electrical signal in the wiring is read as a real brake command. With certain vehicle wiring and installed equipment, that false signal turns into a steady brake light activation even when no one is pressing the pedal.
There is no warning sign before failure. Once the condition is present, the brake lights can illuminate while the vehicle is not braking, which gives other drivers incorrect information about what the fire apparatus is doing.
Who's affected?
Covers the F-Pumper, F-3000, and F-Rescue across the 2017 and 2018 model years, all tied to brake lights.
| 2018 Fouts Bros. F-Pumper | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2017 Fouts Bros. F-3000 | Brake lights |
| 2018 Fouts Bros. F-3000 | Brake lights |
| 2018 Fouts Bros. F-Rescue | Brake lights |
| 2017 Fouts Bros. F-Pumper | Brake lights |
| 2017 Fouts Bros. F-Rescue | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 15 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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?
If the brake lights turn on at the wrong time, drivers behind the vehicle can misread the braking signal, increasing crash risk. There is no warning sign for the owner before this happens, so schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Fouts Bros. dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Fouts Bros. F-Pumper, F-3000, or F-Rescue is included in this recall.
- Contact a Fouts Bros. service center to schedule the free brake-light replacement that stops the lights from illuminating when the brake pedal is not pressed.
- Bring the recall notice if Fouts Bros. mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V214 when you call.
- Limit driving until the brake-light replacement is complete, since incorrect brake-light illumination can confuse other drivers.
What happens at the repair
At a Fouts Bros. service center, a technician replaces the affected Whelen brake lights on the fire apparatus. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered under campaign 19V214. The repair has been open since March 25, 2019. Owners can contact Fouts Bros. customer service at 1-800-948-5045 to confirm service-center handling and get the brake-light replacement arranged.
Timeline
| July 18, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
|---|---|
| March 20, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
| March 25, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V214?
Recall 19V214 covers 15 2017-2018 Fouts Bros. F-3000, F-Rescue, and F-Pumper vehicles equipped with Whelen brake lights. The brake lights can illuminate when the brake pedal is not being pressed, which can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Fouts Bros. F-3000, F-Rescue, or F-Pumper is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V214. If it is, contact a Fouts Bros. service center to schedule brake-light replacement. Reference recall number 19V214 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Fouts Bros. service centers will replace the affected brake lights free of charge. Fouts Bros. customer service can be reached at 1-800-948-5045.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is confusion for drivers behind the vehicle. If the brake lights illuminate when the brake pedal is not being pressed, other drivers can misread whether the vehicle is slowing or stopping, which increases the risk of a crash.
What if I bought the Fouts Bros. fire apparatus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific F-3000, F-Rescue, or F-Pumper is included, then contact a Fouts Bros. service center and reference recall 19V214.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V214000 |
|---|---|
| Fouts Bros. customer service | 1-800-948-5045 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V214 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V214000 |
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 →