Brake Light May Randomly Illuminate/FMVSS 108

NHTSA Campaign Number: 18E063
Manufacturer Whelen Engineering Co Inc
Components EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Potential Number of Units Affected 16,342

Brake Light may Randomly Illuminate/FMVSS 108

If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

Summary

Whelen Engineering Co Inc (Whelen) is recalling various models of accessory brake lights for use with emergency vehicles. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.” For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCLRPT-18E063-9047.pdf

Remedy

Whelen will notify owners, and will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began on August 29, 2018. Owners may contact Whelen customer service at 1-860-718-2331.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

Recall No: 18E-063

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE

Dear Valued Whelen Customer:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY AS OUR RECORDS INDICATE THAT YOU MAY POSSESS PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO THIS SAFETY RECALL NOTICE.

Whelen Engineering Company, Inc. (“Whelen”) has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain Whelen brake light models manufactured between November 1, 2017 and May 16, 2018. The models subject to this recall are:

1842800	60BTTC	C9BTT	FDNYWC13	NJSYS1SS
6970510	60BTTD	C9BTTC	ILDOT08J	PADOTSY5
70BTTD	60R00BRR	CODOTSYM	ILDOT11M	PADOTSY6
01-066B1866R1G	60R00XCR	CTSYSHSS	ILDOT17M	PADOTSY8
01-066E459-R00	60R00XRD	DEDOTSY1	INDOTSY1	PSR00XRR
01-066E461-R1B	60R00XRR	DEDOTSY3	JDTL601A	PSRASXCR
01-066E462-R0A	6B1863C1	DOT3401D	KDOTSYLH	R54L2B2A
01-066E462-R1A	6B1863R1	DOT3404B	M4B6B	R54L2D2A
01-066E957-KMB	6B2343C1	DOT3404D	M4B6R	SDDOTSYH
01-0683558BR1C	6E45952	DOT3405D	M6BTT	SDDUMP
01-06837599A0C	6E459R2	DOT3410D	M6BTT24	SDSAND
01-1518251-01E	6E461R2	DOT3502D	M6BTT24C	SHASY1SS
20A00AAR	70BTT	DOT3504D	M6BTTC	TMTE1SS
20R00XRR	70BTTC	DOT3506B	M6BTTD	TMTE1SSM
40A00AAR	90BTT	DOT3510D	M9BTTX	TNDOTSYL
40BTT	90BTTC	DOT3701D	M9BTTXC	VCBDTPSY
40BTTD	AKDOTSY3	DOT3702D	MADOTSY1	VCRHTPSY
45ADBTT	B27356	DOT3704B	MODOTSYD	VTSYSLSS
45KNYEMS	BSISYSL3	DOT3704D	MODOTSYE	WC81311
50R00XCR	BSISYSL4	DOT3706D	MTASYSL1	WYDOTSY1
50R00XRD	C6BTT	DOT3710D	MTDOTSY1	WYDOTSY2
50R00XRR	C6BTTC	DOTNEL1	NDDOTSY1
5SR00XRR	C7BTT	DOTNEL3	NDORSYS1
60BTT	C7BTTC	DOTNEL4	NJDOTSYL

! IMPORTANT !

Your Whelen brake light model manufactured between November 1, 2017 and May 16, 2018 is being recalled.
You should immediately contact Whelen at 1-860-718-2331 to obtain a replacement brake light, which Whelen will be provide to you free of charge.

Why is a recall being conducted?

For the Whelen brake light models subject to this recall, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. They can then be returned to normal operation when a brake input is applied and then removed. Whelen determined that the root cause of this condition was tied to transient voltage on the input line creating a false and steady activation of the brake light. The condition is dependent on the specific wiring of the vehicle and other installed equipment. The product functions normally if it is not exposed to these specific conditions, but the condition can occur in all products subject to this recall. If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

What are we doing about the problem?

Whelen will provide a replacement brake light and support services free of charge to any customer who possesses a recalled brake light model, whether installed or not, and contacts Whelen at 1860-718-2331. Whelen will also fully reimburse you for any reasonable labor charges for the time needed to replace the recalled brake lights on your vehicles. Whelen will also fully reimburse customers for shipping costs associated with the return of recalled brake lights to Whelen.

What should you do?

If you currently have an UNINSTALLED Whelen brake light model subject to this recall, DO NOT INSTALL IT. Please contact Whelen at 1-860-718-2331 to obtain a replacement brake light and instructions for how to return the recalled product(s) to Whelen.

If you currently have an INSTALLED Whelen brake light model subject to this recall on your vehicle(s), PROMPLY CHECK TO SEE IF THE BRAKE LIGHT IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY WHEN YOU DEPRESS AND RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL.

An INSTALLED brake light is functioning properly if the brake light is activated when the BRAKE pedal is depressed and if the brake light deactivates when the brake pedal is released. All Whelen brake light models covered by this recall are being recalled even if the brake light is functioning properly as installed. If you have a Whelen brake light model listed above that is functioning properly, please contact Whelen at 1-860-718-2331 to obtain guidance as to whether the product installed may exhibit the defect described above. In lieu of immediately contacting Whelen, you may remove the product(s) and return the recalled product(s) to Whelen out of an abundance of caution and inform Whelen that the product(s) was functioning properly and not experiencing the defect. Whelen will replace all returned product(s) subject to this recall in accordance with the other terms discussed in this notice. If you choose to use the vehicle with a recalled brake light still installed, TAKE CAUTION when driving because drivers and pedestrians behind the vehicle may wrongly believe the vehicle is slowing or stopped, which may increase the risk of a crash.

An INSTALLED brake light is NOT functioning properly if the brake light remains activated after the brake pedal is released. If the brake light is NOT functioning properly, DO NOT USE THE VEHICLE until you have installed the replacement Whelen brake light that will be provided to you free of charge. If you choose to use the vehicle with a recalled brake light still installed, TAKE CAUTION when driving because drivers and pedestrians behind the vehicle may wrongly believe the vehicle is slowing or stopped, which may increase the risk of a crash.

If you have an INSTALLED Whelen brake light models covered by this recall, contact Whelen at 1-860-718-2331 to obtain a replacement brake light and instructions for how to return the recalled product(s) to Whelen.

Whelen will also reimburse you for any reasonable labor charges for the time needed to replace the recalled brake lights on your vehicles. A detailed labor quote should be submitted to Whelen including purchase information and product model number. The labor quote should indicate the product recall number, which is 18E-063. Labor quotes can be emailed to pclasson@whelen.com or faxed to 1-860-526-2207. If you have any questions about this recall, please call us at the number above.

If you have already paid to have your Whelen recalled brake lights repaired for this condition, you may be eligible for reimbursement of the charges you paid for labor relating to the repair. To learn more about what you need to do to obtain reimbursement, please call Whelen at 1-860-718-2331 of fax the detailed labor quote, product recall number and product model number to 1-860-5262207.

What if you no longer possess the recalled brake lights?

If you are aware that one or more of your customers possess the recalled brake lights, please forward new owner contact information to Whelen at the number above or fax us the contact information at 1-860-526-2207. Alternatively, immediately provide this Important Safety Recall Notice directly to your customers.

Who should you contact if you have further questions or concerns?

Please contact Whelen at 1-860-718-2331.

If after having attempted to take advantage of this recall you believe that Whelen has not been able to remedy the defect without charge or within a reasonable period of time, you may notify the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Washington, DC 20590, or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1800-424-9153); or go to https://www.safercar.gov.

We apologize for any inconvenience this safety recall may cause, but your safety is our first concern.

Sincerely,

Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.

Owner Notification Letter

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCONL-18E063-1511.pdf

⬇ Download PDF (166.22 KB)

Recall Acknowledgement

August 17, 2018

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCAK-18E063-7311.pdf

⬇ Download PDF (240.12 KB)

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