Recall 19V243 covers 16,342 2012, 2018 Kenworth T440 and 348 emergency vehicles for brake lights that illuminate without braking. Repair is free.
Kenworth is recalling 16,342 emergency vehicles built on 2012, 2018 T440 and 348 chassis because Whelen brake lights can illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed. That false brake signal can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The brake lights on the 2012, 2018 Kenworth T440 and 348 emergency vehicles are supposed to turn on only when the driver presses the brake pedal. Those rear lamps tell traffic behind the vehicle that it is slowing or stopped. The system depends on the lamp electronics and vehicle wiring reading the brake-pedal signal correctly.
On the affected vehicles, the Whelen brake light electronics use firmware, which is the built-in software that controls the light. With the vehicle wired in a certain way, that firmware allows the brake lights to illuminate even though the brake pedal has not been pressed. Drivers behind the vehicle receive the wrong signal, and the brake lights no longer match what the driver is doing.
There is no warning sign before failure. From the driver's seat, the brake lights can turn on incorrectly without a clear dashboard alert or change in pedal feel.
Who's affected?
Spans 2 truck models across the 2012 and 2018 model years, all tied to the same brake-light component.
| 2012 Kenworth T440 | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2018 Peterbilt 348 | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 16,342 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific truck.
What's the safety risk?
Brake lights that illuminate when the truck is not braking can confuse drivers behind you. That makes it harder for them to judge when the vehicle is slowing or stopping and increases crash risk. Schedule the brake light replacement as soon as the recall repair opens. Repair will be free at any franchised Kenworth dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm whether this 2012, 2018 Kenworth T440 or 348 emergency-vehicle recall includes your vehicle.
- Watch for the owner notice mailed March 29, 2019, or keep it with your vehicle records if you already have it.
- Contact Kenworth customer service at 1-309-526-3636 with questions and reference recall number 19V243 when you call.
- Ask a franchised Kenworth dealer about the free brake-light replacement that fixes brake lights illuminating when the pedal is not pressed.
- Drive with extra spacing until the brake-light repair is complete, since incorrect brake-light illumination can confuse drivers behind you.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kenworth technician replaces the Whelen brake lights covered by recall 19V243. The repair addresses brake lights that illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Osco lists a general reimbursement plan for this campaign. If you already paid for a related brake light repair before the recall notice, contact Osco customer service at 1-309-526-3636 and ask how to submit repair documentation for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 27, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 29, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 29, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V243?
Recall 19V243 covers 16,342 2012, 2018 Kenworth T440 and 348 emergency vehicles with Whelen brake lights that can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. That false brake-light signal can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk. Dealers will replace the brake lights for free.
What should I do if my 2012, 2018 Kenworth T440 or 348 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific emergency vehicle is included in recall 19V243. If it is, contact a franchised Kenworth dealer or Osco Tank & Truck Sales customer service at 1-309-526-3636 to schedule the brake-light replacement. The recall repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and the remedy for recall 19V243 is a free brake-light replacement. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that the brake lights can turn on when the brake pedal is not pressed. Other drivers can read that as braking when the vehicle is not slowing, which can create confusion in traffic and increase crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V243000 |
|---|---|
| Kenworth customer service | 1-309-526-3636 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V243 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V243000 |
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 →