Recall 19V254 covers 1 2018 Ford F-550 vehicle whose brake lights can illuminate without braking. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 1 2018 F-550 vehicle because its Whelen brake lights can turn on when the brake pedal has not been pressed. That false signal can confuse nearby drivers and increase crash risk; Ford dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The brake lights on the 2018 Ford F-550 are exterior lamps at the rear of the vehicle. Their normal job is simple: when the driver presses the brake pedal, the lights come on so traffic behind the truck knows it is slowing or stopped. On this vehicle, the lights are Whelen units installed as part of the completed B-27 Minuteman build.
The problem is in the electrical signal feeding those brake lights. Transient voltage on the input line can reach the light module and make the brake lights illuminate even though the brake pedal has not been pressed. That gives following drivers the wrong signal and makes it harder for them to judge what the truck is doing.
There is no warning sign before failure. The driver will not feel a change in the brake pedal, and the lights are behind the driver, so the problem is easiest to confirm during an exterior light check or dealer inspection.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Ford F-550 | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1 |
| 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 at the wrong time can confuse drivers behind you and increase the risk of a crash. Drive cautiously, leave more room in traffic, and schedule the brake-light replacement soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Ford F-550 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free brake-light replacement that fixes brake lights that illuminate without brake-pedal input.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. Reference recall number 19V254 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance so other drivers have more time to react.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the Whelen brake lights on the affected 2018 Ford F-550 chassis vehicle. The recall repair is available, and the brake light replacement is free. The service visit should focus on correcting brake lights that illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed, so describe that behavior when you schedule the appointment. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| March 27, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| March 28, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
| March 28, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 28, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V254?
Recall 19V254 covers 1 2018 Ford F-550 chassis vehicle 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. The remedy is brake-light replacement at no cost.
What should I do if my 2018 Ford F-550 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V254. If it is, arrange the free brake-light replacement and reference recall number 19V254 when you call. The listed customer service number for this remedy is 1-620-896-7145.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair to be performed at no cost. For recall 19V254, the remedy is replacement of the affected brake lights free of charge.
Is it safe to drive a 2018 Ford F-550 with recall 19V254?
There is no do-not-drive instruction for recall 19V254. The safety issue is that the brake lights can illuminate without brake-pedal input, which can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk. Confirm your VIN and complete the free brake-light replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V254000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-620-896-7145 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V254 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V254000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →