January 11, 2019 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V028000
Brake Light may Randomly Illuminate/FMVSS 108
If the brake lights falsely illuminate, other drivers could become confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V028
Manufacturer HME, Inc.
Components FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Potential Number of Units Affected 46
Summary
HME, Inc (HME) is recalling certain 2017-2018 1871 vehicles, equipped with Whelen
accessory brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, the brake lights may falsely illuminate even without the brake pedal being 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.”
Remedy
HME will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Whelen brake lights, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2019. Owners may contact HME’s customer service at 1-616-534-1463.
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.
NHTSA is missing critical, required information for this safety recall. This information must be supplied through the NHTSA Recalls Portal within 5 working days of confirming its accuracy:
– A statement that the defect or noncompliance can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning; or a description of whatever prior warning may occur, and a statement that if this warning is not heeded, a vehicle crash can occur (49 CFR 577.5 (f)(1)).
IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
This note applies to your vehicle VIN: 44KFT4
NHTSA Campaign: 19V-028
Dear Sir:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
HME has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in the emergency vehicle identified by the VIN above, equipped with Whelen brake light model number 60BTTC that was sold to you by in 2018.
Description of Defect
For the Whelen brake light model 60BTTC (installed on you vehicle) 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, possible increasing the risk of a crash.
Recommended Action
Your unit must be inspected PROMPLY 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 after the brake pedal is released.is depressed and if the brake light deactivates when the brake pedal is released.
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 USES 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.
As a preventive action Whelen has decided to replace the brake lights installed on your vehicle. Whelen will provide replacement brake lights and will also fully reimburse you for any reasonable labor charges for the time needed to replace the recalled brake lights on your vehicle. Whelen will also fully reimburse for shipping costs associated with the return of the recalled brake lights to Whelen.
Replacement Parts and Service Instructions
Replacement brake lights are currently available and will be provided by Whelen at no cost. Replacement parts can be obtained by contacting Whelen at:
Phone: (860)-718-2331
Fax: (60) 526-2207
If you have had your vehicle repaired prior to receipt of this notice you may be entitled to reimbursement if you incurred any out of pocket cost due to this matter. For further information, please contact us at the number listed above.
Communication
If you are not the current owner of this vehicle, please forward a copy of this notice to the current owner within 10 days to comply with federal regulations.
If you conclude that HME has not enabled you to remedy this condition in a reasonable time, you may submit a complaint to:
Administrator
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20590
-Or-
Call the toll free Vehicle Safety Hotline: 1-888-327-4236; (TTY: 800-424-9153)
Or go to https://www.safercar.gov
Federal law requires any lessor who receives a notification of a determination of a safety-related defect or noncompliance pertaining to any leased motor vehicle shall send the notice to the lessee within 10 days.
Once all work has been complete please E-mail [email protected] that the tail lights have been replaced.
We regret any inconvenience that this situation may cause. HME wants to assure you that we are concerned with the safety of our customers and your continued satisfaction with our products.
Sincerely,
Glenn Wayer
HME Warranty Department
HME, Inc.
Enclosures:
Whelen Letter, IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL Recall No.: 18E-063
2 Affected Products
Vehicle
| HME | 1871 | 2017-2018 |
5 Associated Documents
Recall Acknowledgement
RCAK-19V028-2740.pdf 246.069KB
Recall 573 Report
RCLRPT-19V028-7133.PDF 213.729KB
Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)
RCONL-19V028-5570.pdf 232.086KB
Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2019-1
RCLQRT-19V028-8941.PDF 211.126KB
Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2019-2
RCLQRT-19V028-7527.PDF 211.226KB
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