Dealers will inspect the engine block heater cable and replace it if it is damaged or corroded free of charge as is required by law.
In a classic “bury the bad news” strategy Ford Motor today recalled 874,000 2015-19 model F-150 and 2017-19 Super Duty vehicles equipped with engine block heaters for a fire safety defect. Fires result from water and contaminants interfering with the heater cable’s splice connector causing corrosion and damage to the cable. Aside from fires, prolonged corrosion in the cable splice connector can cause make the engine block heater inoperable, and/or trip household breakers or GFCI-equipped outlets while the vehicle is parked, and the block heater is plugged in.
Ford says that the safety defect only exists while the vehicle is parked, and the block heater cable is plugged into an electrical outlet. This, of course, is the sole purpose of a block heater.
Ford claims to be aware of three fires originating from the engine block heater cable splice connector, and minor property damage reported in one incident.
F-Series Fire Prone Vehicles
- 2015-19 F-150 vehicles built at Dearborn Truck Plant between March 18, 2014 and Nov. 17, 2018 and at Kansas City Assembly Plant between Aug. 21, 2014 and Nov. 17, 2018
- 2017-19 Super Duty vehicles built at Ohio Assembly Plant between Feb. 5, 2016 and Nov. 17, 2018 and at Kentucky Truck Plant between Oct. 8, 2015 and Nov. 17, 2018
Dealers will inspect the engine block heater cable and replace it if it is damaged or corroded free of charge as is required by law. If there are no signs of damage or corrosion, dealers will apply dielectric grease to the splice connector and reconnect.
If a replacement cable is required but unavailable, the customer will receive an information sheet and will be notified via mail for a follow-up appointment once parts become available.
There are approximately 874,000 vehicles that are affected in North America, with 410,289 in the United States and federal territories and 463,793 in Canada. The Ford reference number for this recall is 18S45.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Fires! Ford Recalls 874,000 F-150 and Super Duty Trucks
Dealers will inspect the engine block heater cable and replace it if it is damaged or corroded free of charge as is required by law.
In a classic “bury the bad news” strategy Ford Motor today recalled 874,000 2015-19 model F-150 and 2017-19 Super Duty vehicles equipped with engine block heaters for a fire safety defect. Fires result from water and contaminants interfering with the heater cable’s splice connector causing corrosion and damage to the cable. Aside from fires, prolonged corrosion in the cable splice connector can cause make the engine block heater inoperable, and/or trip household breakers or GFCI-equipped outlets while the vehicle is parked, and the block heater is plugged in.
Ford says that the safety defect only exists while the vehicle is parked, and the block heater cable is plugged into an electrical outlet. This, of course, is the sole purpose of a block heater.
Ford claims to be aware of three fires originating from the engine block heater cable splice connector, and minor property damage reported in one incident.
F-Series Fire Prone Vehicles
Dealers will inspect the engine block heater cable and replace it if it is damaged or corroded free of charge as is required by law. If there are no signs of damage or corrosion, dealers will apply dielectric grease to the splice connector and reconnect.
If a replacement cable is required but unavailable, the customer will receive an information sheet and will be notified via mail for a follow-up appointment once parts become available.
There are approximately 874,000 vehicles that are affected in North America, with 410,289 in the United States and federal territories and 463,793 in Canada. The Ford reference number for this recall is 18S45.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.