Recall 21V823 covers 2 2017, 2020 Sutphen Fire Truck vehicles with excessively bright Code 3 lights. Filter kits were provided free.
Sutphen is recalling 2 Fire Truck vehicles from the 2017, 2020 model years because their Code 3 LED stop-tail-turn reverse lights are too bright. Excessive brightness affects the vision of other drivers and increases crash risk; Sutphen dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Code 3 7x9 stop, tail, turn, and reverse lamp on the 2017, 2020 Sutphen Fire Truck combines several rear lighting jobs in one LED unit. It signals braking, turning, backing, and tail-lamp visibility so other drivers can read what the truck is doing. Federal lighting rules set brightness limits because rear lamps must be visible without overwhelming another driver's vision.
On the recalled trucks, the lamp output exceeds the maximum allowed level. Testing found elevated photometric intensity, which means the LED light measured brighter than the standard permits. The lamp still turns on, but the problem is that excess brightness can affect the vision of drivers behind or near the truck.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or fleet technician is not expected to feel a drivability change, see a dashboard alert, or notice the noncompliance without light-output testing.
Who's affected?
Both model years use the same Code 3 7x9 stop-tail-turn-reverse LED lamp.
| 2020 Sutphen Fire Truck | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2017 Sutphen Fire Truck | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 2 |
| 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 light brightness can affect other drivers' vision and increase the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, confirm the light filter kit has been installed before returning the truck to normal service. Repair is free at any franchised Sutphen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 or 2020 Sutphen Fire Truck is included in this recall.
- Contact Sutphen customer service at 1-614-889-1005 if your VIN still shows open recall 21V823.
- Ask Sutphen to confirm the free filter-kit repair for the Code 3 rear lights that were too bright for other drivers.
- Do not wait for an owner letter; Sutphen says both affected vehicles were remedied and no letters were mailed.
- Avoid operating the truck with the affected rear lights until Sutphen confirms the filter kit is installed.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Sutphen technician handles the Code 3 7x9 stop, tail, turn, reverse LED light remedy by providing the filter kits supplied by the light manufacturer. Sutphen says both affected fire trucks have already been remedied, so no owner letters will be mailed. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Any repair cost already paid is handled through the lamp manufacturer's warranty or goodwill coverage, not through a separate reimbursement program. Ask Sutphen customer service how that warranty or goodwill coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| October 19, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 19, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V823?
Recall 21V823 covers 2 2017, 2020 Sutphen Fire Truck vehicles equipped with Code 3 7x9 Stop-Tail-Turn Reverse All-in-One LED lights. The lights exceed allowed brightness, which can affect other drivers' vision and increase crash risk. Sutphen assisted owners with free filter kits.
What should I do if my 2017, 2020 Sutphen Fire Truck is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific fire truck is included in recall 21V823. Sutphen says both included vehicles have already been remedied, so owner letters will not be mailed. If your records do not show the filter kit repair, call Sutphen customer service at 1-614-889-1005.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Sutphen assisted the owners in obtaining the required filter kits from the light manufacturer free of charge. Federal recall law requires the recall repair to be completed at no cost, and Sutphen says both included fire trucks have already been remedied.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is excessive rear lighting brightness. On the included fire trucks, the Code 3 LED lights exceed the allowed output under the federal lighting standard, which can affect the vision of other drivers and increase crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V823000 |
|---|---|
| Sutphen customer service | 1-614-889-1005 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V823 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V823000 |
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 →