Recall 19V232 covers 55 2017-2018 Bfx Fire Apparatus Brush Truck vehicles with brake lights that illuminate without braking. Bfx Fire Apparatus replaces them free.
Bfx Fire Apparatus is recalling 55 2017-2018 Brush Truck vehicles equipped with Whelen brake lights because the lights can turn on when the brake pedal has not been pressed. That false brake signal can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once Bfx Fire Apparatus makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The brake lights on the 2017-2018 Bfx Fire Apparatus Brush Truck are the rear warning lamps that tell traffic behind the truck when the driver is braking. On these trucks, the affected lamps are Whelen brake lights. Their normal job is simple: stay off during driving, then illuminate when the brake pedal is pressed.
The defect is tied to the way the light interacts with the truck's wiring and other installed equipment. Under the affected wiring conditions, the brake lights illuminate even when the driver has not touched the brake pedal. Whelen traced the condition to the brake light electronics and used modified firmware, the software inside the light, to stop the false signal.
There is no warning sign before failure. The driver is unlikely to see the rear brake lamps from the cab, so the first clue can come from another firefighter, a following driver, or a walkaround after the lights turn on incorrectly.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2017 and 2018 model years for the same Brush Truck brake-light component.
| 2018 Bfx Fire Apparatus Brush Truck | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2017 Bfx Fire Apparatus Brush Truck | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 55 |
| 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 truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Brake lights that illuminate at the wrong time can confuse drivers around the truck and increase crash risk. Until the lights are replaced, leave extra space, signal early, and schedule service promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Bfx Fire Apparatus dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Bfx Fire Apparatus Brush Truck is included in this recall.
- Call Bfx Fire Apparatus customer service at 1-877-347-3011 to confirm repair timing for recall number 19V232.
- Ask about the free Whelen brake-light replacement that fixes brake lights illuminating when the brake pedal is not pressed.
- Bring the owner notice if Bfx Fire Apparatus mailed one to you.
- Drive with extra space until the repair is complete, since incorrect brake-light illumination can confuse other drivers.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Bfx Fire Apparatus technician replaces the affected Whelen brake lights covered by recall 19V232. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. If you already paid for a related brake light repair before the recall notice, Bfx Fire Apparatus has a general reimbursement plan on file. Contact Bfx Fire Apparatus customer service with your repair paperwork and ask how to submit documented expenses for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 25, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 16, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V232?
Recall 19V232 covers 55 2017-2018 Bfx Fire Apparatus Brush Truck vehicles equipped with Whelen brake lights recalled under 18E-063. The lights can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed, confusing other drivers and increasing crash risk. Bfx Fire Apparatus will replace the Whelen lights for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Bfx Fire Apparatus Brush Truck is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Brush Truck is included in recall 19V232. If it is, contact Bfx Fire Apparatus customer service at 1-877-347-3011 and reference recall 19V232. The repair replaces the affected Whelen brake lights at no cost.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost to the owner. For recall 19V232, Bfx Fire Apparatus will replace the affected Whelen brake lights free of charge and has notified affected owners.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V232000 |
|---|---|
| Bfx Fire Apparatus customer service | 1-877-347-3011 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V232 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V232000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall 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 →