WELLS AFTERMARKET STOPLIGHT SWITCHES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 2000 THRU JUNE 2002

Sep 04, 2002 — Recall Campaign #02E049000

WELLS AFTERMARKET STOPLIGHT SWITCHES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 2000 THRU JUNE 2002. WELL'S CATALOG PART NOS. DR452, DR427, DR431. THE SWICH CAN REMAIN IN THE "STOPLIGHT OFF" POSITION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 19,400 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

02E049000

Manufacturer:	WELLS MANUFACTURING CO.
Recall date:	September 04, 2002
NHTSA Campaign #:	02E049000
Units affected:	19,400

Description:: WELLS AFTERMARKET STOPLIGHT SWITCHES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 2000 THRU JUNE 2002. WELL'S CATALOG PART NOS. DR452, DR427, DR431. THE SWICH CAN REMAIN IN THE "STOPLIGHT OFF" POSITION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED.
Consequeces:: THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, IF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM IS DISABLED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Corrective action:: WELLS MANUFACTURING WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT WELLS MANUFACTURING AT 1-800-558-9770.
Notes:: ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

WELLS STOPLIGHT SWITCH

WELLS STOPLIGHT SWITCH Complaints
Brake light switch was replaced with a WVE (Wells) brand brake light light switch part number 1S5367. This switch senses brake fluid pressure and closes (turns on brake lights) when a low level braking pressure is present. I originally bought two in 2020, both initially worked (brake lights would turn on) and then each failed within 200 miles. This is a classic vehicle that is not driven much or far. The parts were purchased through RockAuto and had a 3 year warranty, two warranty replacement WVE (1S5367) switches were sent to me. I installed one of the replacement switches early November 2022 and everything was fine, however, in early December of 2022 I went to drive the vehicle, checking my brake lights before I left, the brake light switch failed once again, no brake lights! Then while I was still in the driveway with my foot on the brake the switch profusely leaked brake fluid from an obviously very poor crimp when manufactured. My foot went to the floor as the switch leaked a puddle of brake fluid on the ground and I had no braking function, this is a single hydraulic system as most if not all vehicles built prior to 1966 had. I contacted WVE [XXX] at their customer service number [XXX] twice, I did not have a good feeling that the proper action would be taken to correct the problem if I sent the failed part to him (he kept trying to place the responsibility on his suppliers, said initially he wanted to wait for another complaint before taking action, etc. He said he had ordered a new switch for me and wanted me to send the bad one to him but I really don't want to risk another one of these parts on my car and I felt I should contact the NHTSA before I send the evidence away (note: the second replacement switch has not been installed and has the same lopsided crimp). Keep in mind that this very same part is used across many vehicle manufacturers, models and years. I was very lucky with my classic car the next guy may not be. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 55;