Recall 19V359 affects one 2018 Ram 5500 fire truck for brake lights that illuminate without pedal input. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
Ram is recalling one 2018 Ram 5500 fire truck under recall 19V359 because the Whelen brake lights can illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed. The false activation can confuse other drivers and raise the risk of a crash, and a Ram dealer will fix it free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Whelen brake lights on this 2018 Ram 5500 fire truck are wired into the truck's brake signal circuit. When the driver presses the brake pedal, voltage travels down the brake light input line and the lamps light up so traffic behind the truck knows it is slowing. The lights are supposed to stay dark when the pedal is at rest.
On the affected truck, a transient voltage spike on that input line can trigger the brake lights even when no one has pressed the pedal. Stray electrical pulses reach the lamp circuit and switch it on. Drivers behind the fire truck then see a brake signal that does not match what the truck is actually doing, which raises the risk of a sudden braking response from following traffic.
There is no warning sign before failure. The lights can illuminate without any pedal input from the driver, so the fault shows up only when someone outside the cab notices the rear lamps lit while the truck is rolling or stopped with the pedal untouched.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Ram 5500 | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1 |
| 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 when they should not can confuse drivers behind you and raise the risk of a crash, especially in heavy traffic or at highway speeds. Watch for trailing drivers braking or backing off without reason, and schedule the repair soon to keep your signaling honest. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Ram 5500 fire truck is included in this recall.
- Contact Unruh Fire customer service at 1-800-856-7080 to arrange the free replacement of the Whelen brake lights that can illuminate without the brake pedal being pressed.
- Reference recall number 19V359 when you call so Unruh Fire can pull your vehicle record quickly.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and let following drivers know the brake lights can illuminate incorrectly.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ram technician replaces the Whelen brake lights covered by the recall. The original wiring can cause the brake lights to illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed, so the replacement corrects that behavior. Unruh Fire provides the replacement parts, and labor is free under the recall. If you've already paid out of pocket for related brake light repairs, the manufacturer's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your receipts to the service desk when you arrive.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 13, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
|---|---|
| May 13, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
| May 20, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V359?
Recall 19V359 covers 1 2018 Ram 5500-based fire truck built by Unruh Fire with Whelen brake lights that can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. Unruh Fire will provide replacement brake lights at no cost to the owner.
What should I do if my 2018 Ram 5500 fire truck is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 19V359. If it is, contact Unruh Fire customer service at 1-800-856-7080 to arrange the replacement brake lights. Reference recall number 19V359 when you call. The replacement parts are free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to correct the defect at no cost, and Unruh Fire will provide replacement brake lights free of charge. Owners can reach Unruh Fire customer service at 1-800-856-7080 to arrange the parts.
What is the safety risk?
Depending on the truck's wiring, the Whelen brake lights can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. False brake-light activation can confuse drivers behind the truck and increase the risk of a crash, especially during emergency response or roadside operation.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V359000 |
|---|---|
| Ram customer service | 1-800-856-7080 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V359 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V359000 |
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 →