Recall 19V269 covers 1 2018 Ford F-550 emergency vehicle with brake lights that illuminate without braking. The lights were replaced free.
Recall 19V269 covers one 2018 Ford F-550 emergency vehicle equipped with Whelen brake lights that can illuminate even when the brake pedal has not been pressed. That false signal can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk, and Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The brake lights on the 2018 Ford F-550 emergency vehicle are supposed to tell traffic behind the truck when the brake pedal is pressed. These Whelen M6 LED Brake/Tail/Turn lights combine brake, tail, and turn-signal functions in the rear lighting system. When the driver steps on the pedal, the brake circuit sends power to the lamps and they brighten as a stop signal.
On the affected vehicle, transient voltage on the input line creates the problem. That means a brief electrical spike reaches the light circuit. With the specific wiring on this truck, the Whelen brake lights can illuminate even when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The driver is not told by a dashboard message or lamp that the rear brake lights are giving a false brake signal.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Ford F-550 | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Incorrect brake light illumination can confuse drivers behind the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the brake lights act incorrectly, so schedule the recall repair and use extra care around traffic until it is complete. 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 your nearest franchised Ford dealer to confirm the free Whelen brake-light replacement that stops the brake lights from lighting without brake-pedal input.
- Bring the recall notice if one is available. If not, reference recall number 19V269 when you call.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-785-825-9526 if you need help confirming whether the brake-light repair was completed.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the recalled Whelen brake lights so they do not illuminate unless the brake pedal is pressed. The owner was notified, and the brake lights were replaced free of charge when the recall began October 1, 2018. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Ford's standard reimbursement plan covers documented out-of-pocket brake-light repairs tied to this recall. Keep receipts and repair paperwork for the service desk or customer-care review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 1, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| April 3, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V269?
Recall 19V269 covers 1 2018 Ford F-550 emergency vehicle with Whelen brake lights that can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. The brake lights were replaced free of charge after the owner was notified.
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 19V269. If it is, confirm that the brake-light replacement was completed, and reference recall number 19V269 when you contact the service provider or dealer. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 19V269, the owner was already notified and the affected brake lights were replaced free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that brake lights can illuminate when the driver has not pressed the brake pedal. That false signal can confuse nearby drivers and increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, confirm that the free brake-light replacement is complete.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V269000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-785-825-9526 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V269 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V269000 |
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 →