Recall 18V568 affects 1,619,112 2015-2018 Ford F-150 trucks for seat belt pretensioner sparks. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 1,619,112 2015-2018 F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab trucks because a front seat belt pretensioner deployment can send sparks into B-pillar carpeting or insulation after a crash. If those materials ignite, a vehicle fire can result, and Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front seat belt pretensioner in a 2015-2018 Ford F-150 is part of the restraint system. In a crash, it fires quickly to pull slack out of the belt and help hold the occupant in position. The B-pillar is the upright body post beside the front seat, where trim, wiring, insulation, and carpet sit behind the panel.
On affected Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab trucks, some pretensioners produce sparks above Ford's designed limit when they deploy. Those sparks and hot gases enter the lower B-pillar area. If the material behind the trim catches, insulation or carpet behind the pillar can ignite after the crash.
The warning sign comes only after a pretensioner deployment. If material behind the B-pillar trim has started to burn, an owner or responder can notice odor or smoke before the fire spreads.
Who's affected?
The same two component groups appear for each listed F-150 model year: seat belt pretensioner and body structure.
| 2018 Ford F-150 | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2018 Ford F-150 | body structure |
| 2015 Ford F-150 | seat belt |
| 2015 Ford F-150 | body structure |
| 2016 Ford F-150 | seat belt |
| 2016 Ford F-150 | body structure |
| 2017 Ford F-150 | seat belt |
| 2017 Ford F-150 | body structure |
| Units affected | 1,619,112 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Material behind the B-pillar trim can ignite after a seat belt pretensioner deployment, and odor or smoke can appear before fire spreads inside the vehicle. If you smell odor or see smoke after a crash, get out, stay clear, and call a Ford dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2018 Ford F-150 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free B-pillar insulation and wiring-tape repair that helps prevent fire after a front seat belt pretensioner deploys.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V568 when you call.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions and reference Ford recall 18S27.
- Drive with care until the repair is complete, and schedule the dealer visit before putting off related seat belt or B-pillar service.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician removes the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape near the front seat belt pretensioner area, then installs heat resistant tape. The recall repair, including parts and labor, is free of charge. Ford lists a general reimbursement plan for this campaign. If you've already paid out of pocket for this same repair before the recall notice, contact Ford customer service or ask the dealer how to submit repair documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 31, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 5, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| September 5, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 24, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 28, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 24, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V568?
Recall 18V568 covers 1,619,112 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys in a crash, sparks can ignite carpeting or insulation inside the B-pillar area. Ford dealers perform the recall repair for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2018 Ford F-150 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 18V568. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the B-pillar repair. Reference Ford recall number 18S27 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. Ford dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, then install heat resistant tape, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is an interior vehicle fire after a crash. If the front seat belt pretensioner deploys, sparks can ignite materials inside the B-pillar area. Ford's free repair removes affected insulation and tape, then adds heat resistant tape.
What if I bought my Ford F-150 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the truck, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific F-150 is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall 18V568 or Ford recall number 18S27.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V568000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V568 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V568000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →