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Ford F-150 and Super Duty: Block Heater Fire Risk

NHTSA campaign 18V894000 · Reported 2018-12-18 · Ford Motor Company

critical How serious is it? About this label

Serious, because a fire can start while the heater is plugged in — stop plugging in the block heater until the repair is done; driving the truck is otherwise fine.

What's wrong, in plain English

These trucks have an engine block heater — the cord you plug in to warm the engine in cold weather. Water and road grime can get into the connector where the cable is spliced, and over time that causes corrosion. Corroded wiring can short out while the heater is plugged in, overheating or melting the cable and possibly starting a fire. Dealers first disable the block heater cable, then replace it once parts are available.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your truck is covered.
2. Contact your Ford dealer or Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 about recall 18S45.
3. Have the cable disabled now and replaced when parts arrive — both free of charge.

Affected vehicles (6)

Who to contact

Ford — official Ford recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Official notice

Component
ENGINE
Summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.
Safety risk
When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S45.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.