Recall 19V236 covers 36 2018 Ram ambulances and emergency vehicles with Whelen brake lights that illuminate without braking. Repair is free through Whelen.
Ram is recalling 36 2018 emergency vehicles, including 4500 models, because Whelen brake lights can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. False brake-light signals can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk; Ram dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The 2018 Ram emergency vehicles in this recall use Whelen brake lights to tell traffic behind the vehicle when the driver is slowing or stopping. Those lights are supposed to turn on only when the brake pedal is pressed, then turn off when the pedal is released.
On affected vehicles, the brake light circuit can receive a short burst of electrical voltage on the brake input line. That stray voltage can make the brake lights illuminate even though the driver has not touched the brake pedal. The problem depends on how the vehicle was wired, so the VIN decides whether a specific vehicle is included.
There is no warning sign before failure. The owner or driver can see the problem only if someone notices the brake lights coming on at the wrong time or staying lit when the vehicle is not braking.
Who's affected?
Covers 9 commercial chassis and truck lines from the 2018 model year, all tied to the brake-light system.
| 2018 Ram 4500 | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2018 Chevrolet G4500 | Brake lights |
| 2018 Chevrolet C3500 | Brake lights |
| 2018 Ford E-450 | Brake lights |
| 2018 Ford F-650 Sd | Brake lights |
| 2018 Ford E-350 | Brake lights |
| 2018 Ford F-550 | Brake lights |
| 2018 Freightliner M2 | Brake lights |
| 2018 International 4300 | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 36 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Brake lights that illuminate at the wrong time can confuse drivers behind the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the lighting problem appears, so schedule the recall repair and watch following traffic until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Ram 4500, G4500, C3500, E-450, F-650 Sd, E-350, F-550, M2, or 4300 emergency vehicle is included in this recall.
- Contact Whelen customer service 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 Excellance mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V236 when you call.
- Ask whether a franchised Ram dealer or Whelen service contact will handle your vehicle based on its chassis and equipment.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance because brake lights that illuminate without braking can confuse other drivers.
What happens at the repair
At the service appointment, a Ram technician coordinates the Whelen brake light replacement and installs the corrected brake lights on the affected ambulance or emergency vehicle. The repair is available now, and the replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Excellance has already notified owners and directed them to contact Whelen for the replacement. Have the service desk confirm that the brake lights no longer illuminate unless the brake pedal is pressed before the vehicle returns to service.
Timeline
| March 21, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| March 26, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
| March 26, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V236?
Recall 19V236 covers 36 2018 emergency vehicles with Whelen brake lights that can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. That can confuse other drivers and raise crash risk. Whelen will replace the brake lights for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Ram 4500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V236. If it is, contact Whelen at 1-860-718-2331 to arrange the brake-light replacement. Reference recall number 19V236 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect to be repaired at no cost, and the recall remedy provides free replacement of the affected Whelen brake lights. Owners were instructed to contact Whelen for the replacement.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is confusion for drivers behind the vehicle. If the brake lights illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed, other drivers can misread the vehicle's movement, raising the risk of a crash.
What if I bought this emergency vehicle used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2018 emergency vehicle is included, then reference recall number 19V236 when arranging the Whelen brake-light replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V236000 |
|---|---|
| Ram customer service | 1-860-718-2331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V236 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V236000 |
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 →