Recall 19V608 covers 80 2018-2020 Horton Type I and Type Iii emergency vehicles for air-bag cushions that detach. Free replacement at any franchised Horton dealer.
Horton is recalling 80 2018-2020 Type I and Type Iii emergency vehicles because the Inflatable Head Cushion and Knee Air Bag cushions can detach during deployment and fail to inflate. In a crash, failed inflation means the air bags do not provide intended occupant protection, increasing injury risk, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The 2018-2020 Horton Type I and Type Iii emergency vehicles use an Inflatable Head Cushion and Knee Air Bag as part of the occupant protection system. In a crash severe enough to trigger deployment, these air bags are supposed to open quickly and fill with gas so the cushion is in place before the occupant moves into it.
On the recalled vehicles, a housing extrusion in the air bag assembly was made with an improperly changed feature. The opening that releases the deployment cover was undersized, so the cushion can detach during deployment instead of inflating as designed. If that happens, the air bag does not provide the intended head or knee protection.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the air bag assembly, so an owner or driver will not see a dashboard warning, noise, smell, or handling change that confirms the cushion will detach during deployment.
Who's affected?
Covers the Type I and Type Iii models across the 2018, 2019, and 2020 model years, all tied to the air bag system.
| 2018 Horton Type I | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2018 Horton Type Iii | air bag system |
| 2019 Horton Type I | air bag system |
| 2020 Horton Type Iii | air bag system |
| 2020 Horton Type I | air bag system |
| 2019 Horton Type Iii | air bag system |
| Units affected | 80 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and Horton Type I or Type Iii model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, air bag cushions that fail to inflate properly do not give the occupant the intended protection, increasing the risk of injury. If your VIN is included, contact the dealer and ask how Horton will handle the replacement. Repair will be free at any franchised Horton dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2020 Horton Type I or Type Iii emergency vehicle is included in this recall.
- Watch for Horton owner instructions before scheduling the air-bag replacement.
- Call Horton customer service at 1-800-447-0343 to ask whether replacement air bags are available for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 19V608 when you call or speak with a Horton dealer.
- Ask about the free replacement air bags that address Inflatable Head Cushion and Knee Air Bag cushions detaching and not inflating during deployment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Horton technician will install replacement air bags for the inflatable head cushion and knee air bag systems when parts are available. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Horton sent interim owner notices before the repair opened, so the practical step is to wait for parts confirmation from the dealer before treating this as a completed final remedy.
Timeline
| August 19, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 20, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| August 20, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 20, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 20, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V608?
Recall 19V608 covers 80 2018-2020 Horton Type I and Type Iii emergency vehicles with air bag cushions that can detach during deployment and fail to inflate. In a crash, that defect can reduce occupant protection and increase injury risk.
What should I do if my 2018-2020 Horton Type I or Type Iii is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific emergency vehicle is included in recall 19V608. If it is, contact a franchised Horton dealer or Horton customer service at 1-800-447-0343 to arrange replacement air bags. Reference recall 19V608 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Horton dealers will install replacement air bags free of charge for vehicles included in recall 19V608.
Is it safe to drive my Horton Type I or Type Iii before the air bag repair?
Recall 19V608 does not include a do-not-drive order. The risk is crash related: if the affected air bag cushions detach during deployment, they can fail to inflate and reduce occupant protection. Confirm your VIN, then arrange the free repair.
When did Horton notify owners about recall 19V608?
Horton issued an interim owner notification on September 6, 2019, and the recall began September 20, 2019. If you bought the emergency vehicle used or never received a letter, check your VIN and reference recall 19V608 with the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V608000 |
|---|---|
| Horton customer service | 1-800-447-0343 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V608 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V608000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →