Recall 20V616 covers 11 2019 Road Rescue Type I ambulances with rotary latches that can trap occupants. Repair is free at a franchised Road Rescue dealer.
Road Rescue is recalling 11 2019 Type I ambulances because the trip levers inside the rotary door latches were made with the wrong material, which can keep doors from opening. A latch failure can trap people inside or keep responders out, increasing injury risk; Road Rescue dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rotary latch on the 2019 Road Rescue Type I ambulance is the door release mechanism that holds a personnel door closed and lets it open when the handle or release is used. Inside that latch, the trip lever transfers the handle movement into latch movement. The cable bracket helps carry that motion through the door hardware.
On affected ambulances, the trip lever and related bracket were made with commercial low-carbon steel instead of the specified high-strength low-alloy steel, HSLA 50. That matters because the recalled material has reduced yield strength, so repeated door use puts more stress into the lever than it was designed to handle. Over time, the lever fatigues and permanently bends, which reduces travel inside the latch until the door release stops working.
The warning sign is a personnel door release that loses travel, feels weak, or fails to open the door cleanly. If the latch reaches that point, the door can stay shut and restrict entry or exit.
Who's affected?
| 2019 Road Rescue Type I | Latch |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 11 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2019 Road Rescue Type I is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A deformed trip lever can limit personnel door travel and leave the door unable to open. This creates a lock-in or lock-out situation and increases the risk of injury. Schedule the latch and cable bracket repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Road Rescue dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Road Rescue Type I is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Road Rescue dealer to schedule the free rotary-latch and cable-bracket replacement that fixes the door-opening latch defect.
- Bring the recall notice if Road Rescue mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V616 when you call.
- Call Road Rescue customer service at 1-855-661-9232 with questions about scheduling or parts.
- Keep the ambulance doors accessible and report any door that sticks, binds, or fails to open before the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Road Rescue technician replaces the rotary door latches and cable brackets covered by campaign 20V616. Parts and labor are covered under the recall, so the repair is free for included ambulances. Road Rescue has a general reimbursement plan on file. If you already paid for this latch or bracket repair, ask the service desk or Road Rescue customer service how to submit repair documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 6, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 28, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 1, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| November 15, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 16, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V616?
Recall 20V616 covers 11 2019 Road Rescue Type I ambulances with rotary door latches that used incorrect trip-lever material. The latch failure can prevent a door from opening, creating a lock-in or lock-out situation and increasing injury risk. Road Rescue dealers replace the rotary latches and cable brackets for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Road Rescue Type I is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific ambulance is included in recall 20V616. If it is, contact a franchised Road Rescue dealer to schedule replacement of the rotary latches and cable brackets. Reference recall number 20V616 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Road Rescue will replace the rotary latches and cable brackets free of charge through its dealer repair process.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a door that does not open when it needs to. A failed rotary latch can trap occupants inside or keep responders from getting in, increasing the risk of injury. If your VIN is included, arrange the free latch and bracket replacement.
What if I bought this Road Rescue ambulance used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether this specific 2019 Road Rescue Type I ambulance is included, then call a Road Rescue dealer and reference recall number 20V616.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V616000 |
|---|---|
| Road Rescue customer service | 1-855-661-9232 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V616 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V616000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →