RoadVitals

2020 Northstar Ambulance Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
Recall campaignsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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Newest Jan 4, 2024
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
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Open investigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Recall campaigns

2 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Jan 4, 2024
2 units potentially affected
The defect: Braun Northwest is recalling certain 2020-2021 Northstar ambulances. In the event of a short circuit or wiring failure, the firmware in the vehicle multiplex system may fail to shut off the output pin, resulting in overloaded electrical circuits.
The risk: Overloaded electrical circuits can overheat, increasing the risk of fire.
The remedy: Braun Northwest will update the firmware, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 20224. Owners may contact Braun Northwest customer service at 1-877-344-9990.
Braun NorthwestView on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Apr 30, 2021
3 units potentially affected
The defect: Braun Northwest is recalling certain 2013-2020 NorthStar Ambulance equipped with Weldon V-Mux Vista IV Standard LCD displays used for controlling emergency vehicle lighting and HVAC functions. The displays may experience low voltage spikes and cause the LCD display to lock up or become nonfunctional.
The risk: A locked up or nonfunctional LCD display can delay emergency efforts, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the displays, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 10, 2021. Owners may contact Braun Northwest customer service at 1-360-748-0195.
Braun NorthwestView on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
Safety investigation
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
Manufacturer communication
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources