The 2018 Ford F-650 SD has 5 recalls, the most serious being a brake fluid leak from corroding brake line fittings and a gear shift indicator that can show "Park" while the transmission is actually in a different gear.
On the brake side, hose assemblies between the master cylinder and the hydraulic control unit may be missing their anti-corrosion coating on the coupling fittings, causing them to corrode prematurely and leak brake fluid, which reduces stopping power. A separate parking brake issue compounds this: the parking brake cable may not have been adjusted correctly, meaning the brake may not hold the vehicle in place when the transmission has no Park position or the lever is left out of Park, leaving the truck free to roll. The gear shift concern involves a cable clip that can pop out of place, causing the shift lever to read "Park" on the display when the transmission is actually in another gear, so a driver who walks away thinking the truck is secured may return to find it has moved.
Two recalls cover brake lights on certain emergency vehicle and ambulance builds on this chassis. In both cases, the Whelen brake lights used by the upfitter can illuminate even when the driver's foot is not on the brake pedal, which can confuse following drivers who may brake unnecessarily or fail to anticipate the truck's actual speed. These brake light recalls apply specifically to vehicles that were converted by specialty upfitters into emergency or ambulance configurations, not standard truck builds.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake lights may turn on even when the brake pedal is not pressed, depending on how the vehicle's wiring is set up.
What the fix does
Whelen will replace the brake lights at no charge. Contact Whelen customer service at 1-860-526-9504.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
At a glance
What can fail
Whelen brake lights on certain ambulances and emergency vehicles may illuminate without the brake pedal being pressed, depending on how the wiring is configured.
What the fix does
Whelen will replace the brake lights at no cost. Contact Whelen at 1-860-718-2331 or Excellance at 1-256-772-9321.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Brake hose fittings may lack protective coating, causing them to corrode prematurely and develop brake fluid leaks.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the brake hose assemblies at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The parking brake cable may not be adjusted correctly, which could allow the vehicle to move unexpectedly when parked.
What the fix does
Dealers will adjust the parking brake cable to the proper setting at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The gear shift cable clip may not be properly seated, causing the transmission to operate in a different gear than what the shift lever shows.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the shift cable locking clip and properly seat it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
