Recall 21V305 affects 3 2013-2020 Northstar Ambulance vehicles for LCD displays that can lock up. Repair is free at any franchised Northstar dealer.
Braun Northwest is recalling 3 NorthStar Ambulances from the 2013-2020 model years under recall 21V305 because the Weldon V-Mux Vista IV LCD display, which controls emergency lighting and HVAC, can lock up or stop working after a low voltage spike. A frozen display can delay emergency response, and the dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The Weldon V-Mux Vista IV display is the touchscreen control panel inside the patient cab of these NorthStar ambulances. Crews use it to switch on emergency lights, run the siren patterns, and adjust HVAC for the patient compartment. The screen reads voltage from the vehicle's electrical system and stays active whenever the ambulance is running.
On affected units, a negative voltage spike at vehicle start-up can push the display outside its specified operating range. The screen locks up or goes blank instead of recovering on its own. A component change inside the display made this batch more sensitive to those spikes than earlier versions of the same product. In every reported case, a full power cycle brought the screen back, but until the restart completes the crew loses on-screen control of lighting and climate functions.
There is no warning sign before failure. The screen goes blank at start-up or shortly after, with no audible or visible alert in advance.
Who's affected?
Covers eight model years of the Northstar Ambulance (2013-2020), all built with the same Weldon V-Mux Vista IV display.
| 2018 Northstar Ambulance | instrument panel |
|---|---|
| 2017 Northstar Ambulance | instrument panel |
| 2016 Northstar Ambulance | instrument panel |
| 2015 Northstar Ambulance | instrument panel |
| 2014 Northstar Ambulance | instrument panel |
| 2013 Northstar Ambulance | instrument panel |
| 2020 Northstar Ambulance | instrument panel |
| 2019 Northstar Ambulance | instrument panel |
| Units affected | 3 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
A locked or nonfunctional LCD display can delay emergency response and raise the risk of injury to patients and crew. Treat any display fault as a reason to take the ambulance out of service and call the dealer to schedule the fix before the next run. Repair is free at any franchised Northstar dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2020 Northstar Ambulance is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Northstar dealer to schedule the free repair or replacement of the Weldon V-Mux Vista IV LCD display that locks up or goes blank.
- Reference recall number 21V305 when you call the dealer or Braun Northwest customer service at 1-360-748-0195.
- Bring the owner notification letter to the appointment if one was mailed to your agency on May 10, 2021.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Northstar technician inspects the Weldon V-Mux Vista IV Standard LCD display used for emergency lighting and HVAC controls, then repairs or replaces the unit as needed. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you have already paid out of pocket to repair or replace one of these displays, Braun Northwest's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your receipts to the service desk, and contact Braun Northwest customer service at 1-360-748-0195 with any questions about the claim process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 30, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 10, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 10, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V305?
Recall 21V305 covers 3 2013-2020 Northstar Ambulance units equipped with Weldon V-Mux Vista IV Standard LCD displays that control emergency lighting and HVAC functions. Low voltage spikes can cause the display to lock up or stop working, which can delay emergency response.
What should I do if my 2013-2020 Northstar Ambulance is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific ambulance is included in recall 21V305. If it is, contact your Northstar dealer to schedule the LCD display repair or replacement. Reference recall number 21V305 when you call. You can also contact Braun Northwest customer service at 1-360-748-0195.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to fix the defect at no cost to the owner. Northstar dealers will repair or replace the Weldon V-Mux Vista IV LCD display free of charge. Parts and labor are covered regardless of where the ambulance was originally purchased.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for the LCD display locking up, freezing, or becoming nonfunctional during operation. Because the display controls emergency lighting and HVAC functions, a lockup can interrupt those controls mid-call. If you see this behavior, reference recall 21V305 when you contact your Northstar dealer or Braun Northwest customer service.
What if my fleet bought a Northstar Ambulance used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. If Braun Northwest never mailed your agency a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific ambulance is included, and reference recall number 21V305 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V305000 |
|---|---|
| Northstar customer service | 1-360-748-0195 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V305 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V305000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →