Recall 21V637 affects 4 Pl Custom-modified 2016 Freightliner M2 emergency vehicles for overly bright rear LED lights. The filter kit was free.
Pl Custom is recalling 4 2016 Freightliner M2 emergency vehicles under recall 21V637 because Code 3 LED stop, tail, turn, and reverse lights are too bright. The excess light output can affect other drivers' vision and increase crash risk, and a Freightliner dealer will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The exterior lamp on the 2016 Pl Custom Freightliner M2 is a Code 3 7x9 all-in-one LED unit. It handles stop, tail, turn, and reverse lighting, so drivers behind the emergency vehicle can tell when it is braking, turning, backing up, or running with its lights on. Those signals need to be visible without exceeding the allowed brightness range.
On these vehicles, the lamp output is above the permitted photometric intensity range. The issue came from the lamp design and production setup, and testing found elevated intensity in the subject lamps. Instead of a broken bulb or a dark light, the defect is the opposite: the lamp shines too brightly and can affect another driver's vision. The remedy is a filter kit that brings the lamp output back within the allowed range.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners are not being asked to look for flickering or a dashboard message before this recall applies.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Pl Custom Freightliner M2 | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 4 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Excessive lighting brightness can affect other drivers' vision and increase the risk of a crash. Drive cautiously, especially around oncoming traffic, until the lighting correction is complete. The fix uses a filter kit supplied at no charge. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Pl Custom Freightliner M2 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to confirm the free Code 3 rear LED light-filter repair is complete, or schedule it if it is still open.
- Call Pl Custom customer service at 1-732-223-1411 with questions and reference recall number 21V637 when you call.
- Bring any recall notice or service record you have so the dealer can match the vehicle to the light-filter repair.
- Use extra care until the repair is confirmed; the too-bright rear lights can affect other drivers' vision.
What happens at the repair
At service, a Freightliner technician installs the light manufacturer's filter kit for the Code 3 LED stop, tail, turn, reverse lamps so the lamps meet the required light output limit. The filter kit and related work are free under the recall. PL Custom reported that all vehicles were repaired in October 2021. Out-of-pocket lamp repairs already paid are handled through the manufacturer's warranty or goodwill program, not through a separate reimbursement program. Ask the service desk how that coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| August 13, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 13, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| August 20, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 20, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 24, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V637?
Recall 21V637 covers 4 2016 Pl Custom Freightliner M2 emergency vehicles equipped with Code 3 7x9 Stop-Tail-Turn Reverse All-in-One LED lights. The lights exceed the allowed brightness level, which can affect other drivers' vision and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2016 Pl Custom Freightliner M2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific emergency vehicle is included in recall 21V637. If it is, contact PL Custom customer service at 1-732-223-1411 or a franchised Freightliner service location for the filter-kit instructions. The recall remedy is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall remedy at no cost. PL Custom's remedy is a filter kit from the light manufacturer, and the source filing says it is provided free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The rear lights are too bright and can affect the vision of other drivers. That visibility problem increases crash risk, especially when the emergency vehicle is braking, turning, or reversing near traffic. The fix is the free filter kit for the affected lights.
Have these vehicles already been repaired?
PL Custom's remedy record says all affected vehicles were repaired in October 2021. Still check your VIN if you operate or bought a 2016 Freightliner M2 emergency vehicle built by PL Custom, because the VIN confirms whether your specific vehicle was included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V637000 |
|---|---|
| Pl Custom customer service | 1-732-223-1411 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V637 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V637000 |
Source documents
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 →