Recall 19V331 covers 39 2017-2018 Southeast Apparatus Rescue Truck, Pumper, and Tanker vehicles whose brake lights can illuminate incorrectly. Whelen replacement is free.
Southeast Apparatus recall 19V331 covers 39 2017-2018 Rescue Truck, Pumper, and Tanker emergency vehicles equipped with Whelen brake lights that can illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed. Incorrect brake-light signals can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk; the Southeast Apparatus dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The brake lights on 2017-2018 Southeast Apparatus Rescue Truck, Pumper, and Tanker vehicles are rear warning lamps that tell traffic behind the vehicle when the driver is braking. On these trucks, the recalled lights are Whelen brake lights installed as part of the exterior lighting system. They should stay off until the brake pedal is pressed, then light steadily while braking.
On affected trucks, the brake lights can illuminate even when the brake pedal is not being pressed. The filing ties the issue to Whelen 60BTT and M6BTT lights that were used on Southeast Apparatus trucks, with the behavior depending on the truck's specific wiring. That false brake signal can make the truck look like it is slowing when it is not.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner, driver, or technician is most likely to find the problem by seeing the rear brake lights turn on while the brake pedal is untouched.
Who's affected?
Covers Rescue Truck, Pumper, and Tanker models across the 2017-2018 model years, all tied to the brake-light component.
| 2018 Southeast Apparatus Rescue Truck | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2017 Southeast Apparatus Pumper | Brake lights |
| 2018 Southeast Apparatus Tanker | Brake lights |
| 2017 Southeast Apparatus Rescue Truck | Brake lights |
| 2018 Southeast Apparatus Pumper | Brake lights |
| 2017 Southeast Apparatus Tanker | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 39 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the brake lights illuminate when they should not, drivers behind the truck can misread braking and following distance. That confusion increases the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, leave extra space in traffic and ask Southeast Apparatus for the current repair timing. Repair will be free at any franchised Southeast Apparatus dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Southeast Apparatus Rescue Truck, Pumper, or Tanker is included in this recall.
- Contact Southeast Apparatus customer service at 1-888-996-6277 for current repair instructions, because owner letters were mailed May 1, 2019.
- Reference recall number 19V331 when you call or schedule service.
- Schedule the free Whelen brake-light replacement that fixes brake lights that illuminate without pedal pressure.
- Drive with extra space until the repair is complete, because incorrect brake-light illumination can confuse other drivers.
What happens at the repair
What is known is that Southeast Apparatus notified owners, and Whelen replaces the affected brake lights free of charge. The source remedy says the recall began May 1, 2019, but the current remedy status is not marked available here. Once availability is confirmed, a Southeast Apparatus technician coordinates replacement of the Whelen brake lights so they no longer illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| April 30, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 1, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 1, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V331?
Recall 19V331 covers 39 2017-2018 Southeast Apparatus Rescue Truck, Pumper, and Tanker vehicles equipped with Whelen brake lights. The brake lights can illuminate without the brake pedal being pressed, which can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Southeast Apparatus Rescue Truck, Pumper, or Tanker is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific emergency vehicle is included in recall 19V331. If it is, contact Southeast Apparatus customer service at 1-888-996-6277 and ask how to arrange the free Whelen brake-light replacement.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Southeast Apparatus will notify owners, and Whelen will replace the affected brake lights free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the safety defect at no cost to the owner.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is driver confusion behind the vehicle. If the brake lights illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed, other drivers can misread whether the emergency vehicle is slowing or stopping, which increases crash risk.
When did the recall repair begin?
The recall began May 1, 2019. Because that date has passed, owners of affected 2017-2018 Southeast Apparatus Rescue Truck, Pumper, and Tanker vehicles should use the VIN check and contact Southeast Apparatus to arrange the free repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V331000 |
|---|---|
| Southeast Apparatus customer service | 1-888-996-6277 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V331 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V331000 |
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 →