Recall 19V342 affects 17 Taylor Made ambulances built on 2017-2018 Ford and GMC chassis for faulty brake lights. Whelen replaces them free.
Recall 19V342 covers 17 2017-2018 ambulances built on Ford E-350, E-450, F-450, F-550, and GMC G3500 chassis because the Whelen brake lights can illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed. The false signal can confuse other drivers and raise the risk of a crash, and a Ford dealer will repair the wiring free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The brake lights on these 2017-2018 ambulances are the rear lamps that signal to drivers behind you that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. The affected units use Whelen 600 series lamps, part number 60BTT, wired into the ambulance brake circuit. When the driver presses the brake pedal, the lights are supposed to illuminate steadily so following traffic knows to stop.
On the recalled ambulances, two of the brake lights on each unit can flash instead of holding a steady illumination when the pedal is pressed. The behavior traces to how the Whelen lamps interact with the specific wiring on these Ford E-350, F-450, E-450, F-550, and GMC G3500 ambulance builds. A flashing rear lamp during braking can confuse drivers behind the ambulance about whether the vehicle is stopping or signaling an emergency response.
There is no warning sign before failure. The flashing behavior shows up only when the brake pedal is applied, so the driver in the cab will not see it from the seat.
Who's affected?
Covers five cutaway and chassis-cab models across two manufacturers (Ford E-350, E-450, F-450, F-550 and GMC G3500), all built with the same upfitter brake-light wiring.
| 2017 Ford E-350 | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2017 Ford F-550 | Brake lights |
| 2018 Ford E-350 | Brake lights |
| 2018 Ford F-550 | Brake lights |
| 2017 GMC G3500 | Brake lights |
| 2018 GMC G3500 | Brake lights |
| 2018 Ford E-450 | Brake lights |
| 2018 Ford F-450 | Brake lights |
| 2017 Ford F-450 | Brake lights |
| 2017 Ford E-450 | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 17 |
| 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 truck is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
Brake lights that illuminate without a brake input confuse drivers behind the vehicle and raise the risk of a rear-end crash. Treat any sign of stuck or self-activating brake lamps as a reason to schedule the repair soon and avoid heavy traffic until the lamps are replaced. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 ambulance is included in this recall.
- Contact Taylor Made Ambulances at 1-800-468-1310 to schedule the free Whelen brake-light replacement that stops the lights from illuminating when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
- Reference recall number 19V342 when you call so the service team can locate your vehicle's file.
- Drive cautiously until the repair, because brake lights that illuminate on their own can confuse drivers behind you.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Whelen-authorized service location replaces the brake lights on the affected ambulance, correcting the wiring condition that allows the lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pressed. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you previously paid out of pocket for a related brake-light repair, the manufacturer's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your receipts and prior repair paperwork to the service desk when you arrive, and contact Taylor Made Ambulances customer service at 1-800-468-1310 with questions about scheduling the replacement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 3, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 27, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 27, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| June 5, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V342?
Recall 19V342 covers 17 ambulances built on 2017-2018 Ford E-350, E-450, F-450, F-550, and GMC G3500 chassis with Whelen brake lights that can illuminate without the brake pedal being pressed. The false signal can confuse other drivers and raise crash risk. Whelen will replace the brake lights free of charge.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Ford or GMC ambulance is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific ambulance is included in recall 19V342. If it is, contact Taylor Made Ambulances customer service at 1-800-468-1310 to arrange the free Whelen brake-light replacement. Reference recall number 19V342 when you call. Repairs are performed at no charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost to the owner. Whelen will replace the affected brake lights free of charge through Taylor Made Ambulances, and parts and labor are covered regardless of where the ambulance was originally purchased or how it is currently used.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for brake lights that illuminate when no one is pressing the brake pedal. A walk-around check before each shift can catch the fault: have a second person stand behind the ambulance with the engine running and the brake untouched, and confirm the brake lamps stay off until the pedal is pressed.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V342000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-800-468-1310 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V342 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V342000 |
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 →