Recall 19V285 covers 5 2016-2018 North Central Emergency remounted ambulances with brake lights that illuminate incorrectly. Repair is free at a franchised Ford dealer.
North Central Emergency is recalling 5 2016-2018 ambulances remounted on Ford E-350, Ford E-450, and G4500 chassis under recall 19V285 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, and a Ford dealer will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The brake lights on 2016-2018 North Central Emergency ambulances are supposed to tell traffic behind the ambulance when the driver is pressing the brake pedal. On Ford E-350, Ford E-450, G4500, and Chevy G4500 chassis with Whelen brake lights, that signal is part of the exterior lighting system. The light should stay off until the brake circuit receives a real brake-pedal command.
In the recalled assemblies, transient voltage on the input line can make the brake lights illuminate without the pedal being pressed. In plain terms, a brief electrical spike reaches the light circuit and acts like a false brake signal. A following driver can read that as actual braking, even while the ambulance is still moving normally.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue shows up as brake lights coming on when the driver has not pressed the brake pedal, so the clearest check is what someone outside the vehicle sees.
Who's affected?
Spans Ford E-350, Ford E-450, G4500, and Chevy G4500 emergency vehicles across the 2016, 2017, and 2018 model years, all tied to the brake-light system.
| 2016 North Central Emergency Ford E-350 | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2017 North Central Emergency Ford E-350 | Brake lights |
| 2018 North Central Emergency Ford E-350 | Brake lights |
| 2016 North Central Emergency Ford E-450 | Brake lights |
| 2017 North Central Emergency Ford E-450 | Brake lights |
| 2018 North Central Emergency Ford E-450 | Brake lights |
| 2018 Chevrolet G4500 | Brake lights |
| 2016 North Central Emergency Chevy G4500 | Brake lights |
| 2017 North Central Emergency Chevy G4500 | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 5 |
| 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 confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2018 North Central Emergency Ford E-350, Ford E-450, G4500, or Chevy G4500 ambulance is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free brake-light replacement that fixes brake lights that illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
- Bring the recall notice if North Central Emergency mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V285 when you call.
- Call North Central Emergency customer service at 1-320-395-2529 with questions, and reference recall number 19V285 when you call.
- Drive with extra care until the brake-light replacement is complete, because incorrect brake-light illumination can confuse drivers behind the ambulance.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the Whelen brake lights covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. North Central Emergency's general reimbursement plan is on file for owners who already paid for related brake-light repairs before the recall notice. If you have prior repair paperwork, contact North Central Emergency customer service at 1-320-395-2529 and ask how to submit documentation for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 10, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 17, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| April 17, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 19, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 20, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V285?
Recall 19V285 covers 5 2016-2018 North Central Emergency ambulances remounted on Ford E-350, Ford E-450, G4500, and Chevy G4500 chassis with Whelen brake lights. The brake lights can illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed, which can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2016-2018 North Central Emergency Ford E-350, Ford E-450, G4500, or Chevy G4500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific ambulance is included in recall 19V285. If it is, contact the dealer or North Central Emergency customer service at 1-320-395-2529 to arrange brake-light replacement. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and North Central Emergency's remedy says dealers will replace the affected brake lights free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is driver confusion behind the ambulance. If the brake lights turn on when the brake pedal is not pressed, other drivers can react to a false braking signal, increasing the risk of a crash.
When did the repair become available?
The recall repair began on May 20, 2019. North Central Emergency notified owners, and dealers were instructed to replace the affected brake lights free of charge.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V285000 |
|---|---|
| North Central Emergency customer service | 1-320-395-2529 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V285 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V285000 |
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 →