Recall 21V503 affects 1 2015 Maintainer Custom Body heavy rescue truck for overly bright rear LED lights. Maintainer provides a free filter kit.
Maintainer is recalling 1 2015 Custom Body Heavy Rescue Truck because the all-in-one rear LED lights exceed the allowed brightness limit. Excessive light can affect other drivers' vision and increase crash risk, and Maintainer dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear Code 3 all-in-one LED lamp on the 2015 Maintainer Custom Body combines stop, tail, turn, and reverse lighting in one housing. Its normal job is to tell drivers behind the truck when the truck is braking, signaling a turn, reversing, or present at night. That signal needs to be bright enough to see without overwhelming other drivers.
On this Heavy Rescue truck, the affected 79STTRBZ lamps exceed the maximum light output allowed under FMVSS 108 for lamps and reflective equipment. The defect is excessive brightness, not a lamp that fails to turn on. When the rear lights shine above the allowed output, drivers looking toward the back of the truck can have their vision affected, especially around brake, turn, or reverse signals.
There is no warning sign before failure. The lights still operate, so an owner or operator is not expected to notice the compliance problem from normal use.
Who's affected?
| 2015 Maintainer Custom Body | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2015 Maintainer Custom Body vehicle is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Affected lights are too bright and can interfere with other drivers' vision, increasing crash risk. Until the filter kit is installed, avoid using those lights when they are not needed and schedule the remedy soon. Repair is free at any franchised Maintainer dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Maintainer Custom Body is included in this recall.
- Contact Maintainer customer service at 1-800-831-8588 to request the free rear-light filter kit that reduces excessive LED brightness.
- Ask Maintainer for instructions to obtain the filter kit from the light manufacturer.
- Reference recall number 21V503 when you call, and bring the owner letter from Maintainer if you have it.
- Avoid operating the truck with the rear LED lights in conditions where excessive brightness affects other drivers until the filter kit is installed.
What happens at the repair
For this available remedy, Maintainer notifies the owner and gives instructions for getting a filter kit from the light manufacturer at no charge. The kit addresses the rear LED light output so the lamps stay within the required limit. Parts are covered under the recall. Maintainer has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related repair before the recall notice. Keep any repair paperwork and payment documentation, then contact Maintainer customer service at 1-800-831-8588 to ask how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 1, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 6, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 23, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V503?
Recall 21V503 covers 1 2015 Maintainer Custom Body heavy rescue truck with all-in-one rear LED lights that exceed the allowed light output. The excessive brightness can affect other drivers' vision and increase crash risk. Maintainer provides a free filter kit from the light manufacturer.
What should I do if my 2015 Maintainer Custom Body is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific 2015 Maintainer Custom Body is included in recall 21V503. If it is, contact Maintainer at 1-800-831-8588 for instructions on getting the free filter kit from the light manufacturer.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the remedy at no cost, and Maintainer provides the filter kit from the light manufacturer free of charge. Keep recall number 21V503 handy when you contact Maintainer at 1-800-831-8588 for instructions.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is glare from rear LED lights that are brighter than the allowed limit. That excessive brightness can affect the vision of other drivers and increase crash risk. The fix is the free filter kit supplied through Maintainer's recall instructions.
When was the owner notified?
Maintainer mailed the owner notification letter on July 23, 2021. Because the remedy is available, the included owner can contact Maintainer at 1-800-831-8588 and ask for instructions to obtain the free filter kit from the light manufacturer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V503000 |
|---|---|
| Maintainer customer service | 1-800-831-8588 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V503 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V503000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation 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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →