Recall 19V358 affects 4 2017-2018 Ford F-550 fire trucks for brake lights that illuminate without pedal input. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 4 2017-2018 F-550-based fire trucks because the Whelen brake lights can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. The false brake-light signal can confuse other drivers and increase the risk of a crash; Ford dealers will correct the wiring free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The brake lights on these 2017-2018 Ford F-550 fire trucks are wired through Whelen brake light assemblies, which are designed to illuminate only when the driver presses the brake pedal. Behind the driver, traffic relies on those lights as the signal that the truck is slowing or stopping. The lamps are supposed to stay dark at every other moment.
On affected trucks, transient voltage on the input line can reach the brake light circuit when the pedal has not been pressed. Depending on how the individual truck was wired, that stray voltage is enough to switch the brake lamps on. The lights then illuminate during normal driving, idling at a scene, or responding in traffic, with no input from the driver.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver behind the truck sees brake lights and reacts as if the fire truck is stopping, which raises the risk of a rear-end collision in traffic.
Who's affected?
Covers both the 2017 and 2018 model years of the F-550, all flagged for the same brake-light defect.
| 2017 Ford F-550 | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2018 Ford F-550 | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 4 |
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 when the driver is not braking can confuse traffic behind the vehicle and increase the risk of a rear-end crash. Watch for the lights staying on after you release the pedal, and schedule the repair soon if you notice it. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Ford F-550 fire truck is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the brake-light replacement that fixes the wiring fault behind the false brake-light illumination.
- Call 1-800-856-7080 with questions and reference recall number 19V358 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair, since the brake lights can illuminate without the pedal being pressed and confuse drivers behind you.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the Whelen brake lights covered by the recall so they illuminate only when the brake pedal is pressed. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you have already paid out of pocket for a related brake-light repair, the manufacturer's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your receipts and any related paperwork to the service desk, or contact Unruh Fire customer service at 1-800-856-7080 to confirm what documentation is needed before your appointment.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 13, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 13, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 20, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V358?
Recall 19V358 covers 4 2017-2018 Ford F-550-based fire trucks built by Unruh Fire with Whelen brake lights that can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. The false signal can confuse other drivers and raise crash risk. Unruh Fire will replace the brake lights at no cost.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Ford F-550 fire truck is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 19V358. If it is, contact Unruh Fire customer service at 1-800-856-7080 to schedule the brake-light replacement. Reference recall number 19V358 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform the recall repair at no cost. Unruh Fire will replace the affected Whelen brake lights free of charge on every 2017-2018 Ford F-550 fire truck included in recall 19V358.
What is the safety risk?
If the brake lights illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed, other drivers can misread the signal and react incorrectly, raising the risk of a crash. The defect does not affect braking itself, but the false brake-light signal is the safety concern Unruh Fire is correcting under recall 19V358.
What if I bought this fire truck used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. If Unruh Fire never contacted you, check your VIN to confirm the truck is included in recall 19V358, then call Unruh Fire customer service at 1-800-856-7080 to schedule the brake-light replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V358000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-800-856-7080 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V358 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V358000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (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 →