Recall 19V463 covers 1 2017 Ford F550 truck because brake lights can illuminate without pedal input. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Recall 19V463 covers 1 2017 Ford F550 vehicle equipped with Whelen brake lights that can illuminate even when the brake pedal has not been pressed. False brake-light signals can confuse other drivers and increase the risk of a crash; a Ford dealer will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The brake lights on the 2017 Ford F550 are supposed to turn on only when the brake pedal is pressed. On these vehicles, the Whelen brake light assembly receives an electrical signal through its input line, then illuminates the lights so drivers behind the vehicle know the truck is slowing or stopped.
On included F550 vehicles, the problem comes from transient voltage on that input line. In plain terms, a brief electrical spike reaches the brake light circuit. With the affected Whelen firmware and the specific vehicle wiring, that spike can make the brake lights illuminate even though the driver has not touched the brake pedal. That sends the wrong signal to traffic behind the vehicle.
There is no warning sign before failure. The brake lights can appear to operate normally until the electrical condition occurs, so the driver will not get a dashboard warning or another clear sign before the lights turn on at the wrong time.
Who's affected?
| 2017 Ford F550 | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2017 Ford F550 truck is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Brake lights that illuminate incorrectly can confuse drivers behind you and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the brake-light problem occurs, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Ford F550 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free Whelen brake-light repair, which fixes brake lights that illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed.
- Bring the recall notice if one is available. Reference recall number 19V463 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra space so other drivers have more time to react.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician handles the Whelen brake light remedy so the brake lights illuminate only when the brake pedal is pressed. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor tied to the light remedy. Farber's general reimbursement plan is on file for owners who already paid for this related brake light repair before the recall notice. Bring repair invoices or other documentation to the service desk and ask how the plan applies.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 12, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| June 18, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
| June 19, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 4, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V463?
Recall 19V463 covers 1 2017 Ford F550 vehicle equipped with Whelen brake lights that illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. That incorrect brake-light signal can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk. Whelen will remedy the lights for free.
What should I do if my 2017 Ford F550 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V463. If it is, arrange the free brake-light remedy through the recall service contact and reference recall 19V463 when you call. Whelen customer service is listed at 1-860-718-2331.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect to be repaired at no cost, and the recall remedy says Whelen will fix the affected brake lights free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2020, so the remedy is available.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is incorrect brake-light illumination. If the brake lights come on when the brake pedal is not pressed, drivers behind the vehicle can misread what the Ford F550 is doing. That confusion increases crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V463000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-860-718-2331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V463 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V463000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall 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 →