Hearth Record

Exterior lighting: brake lights (Whelen)

Vehicle equipment recall 18E-063. NHTSA received Whelen Engineering Co Inc’s report on Jul 26, 2018.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received Whelen Engineering Co Inc’s report on Jul 26, 2018. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.

Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

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

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

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Exterior lighting: brake lights.

What should you do?

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.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: 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.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 16,342 items potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Whelen Brake LightBuilt from Nov 1, 2017 to May 16, 2018

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by Whelen Engineering Co Inc.
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
  • Which ones, by part or lot: the recall’s report on NHTSA’s site gives them where the maker did; this file gives part numbers only where its maker listed them.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).

    Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).

Source:

Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

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Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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