Recall 18V894 covers 410,289 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and Super Duty trucks for block-heater cable corrosion. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 410,289 2015-2019 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks equipped with an engine block heater because water and contaminants can corrode the heater cable splice connector. When the heater is plugged in, that corrosion can overheat or melt wiring and raise fire risk, and Ford dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The engine block heater on the 2015-2019 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 is an electrical heater used in cold weather. When the truck is plugged into household power, the heater helps warm the engine block before startup. The cable and its splice connector carry that power from the outlet to the heater.
On affected trucks, water and road contaminants can enter the block heater cable's splice connector. Salt and moisture corrode the connector terminals, especially when the connector is mounted low, exposed, and angled upward. As corrosion builds, electrical current meets extra resistance and can create a short inside the connector. That heat is the fire risk tied to this recall.
Owners can notice the block heater stops working before the connector fails. A household breaker or outlet GFCI can trip, or the owner can hear buzzing or sizzling, see smoke, or see sparks while the cable is plugged into a wall outlet.
Who's affected?
Covers 5 Ford truck lines across the 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 model years, all tied to the engine component.
| 2019 Ford F-150 | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2018 Ford F-450 | Engine |
| 2019 Ford F-450 | Engine |
| 2018 Ford F-150 | Engine |
| 2017 Ford F-450 | Engine |
| 2015 Ford F-150 | Engine |
| 2016 Ford F-150 | Engine |
| 2017 Ford F-350 | Engine |
| 2017 Ford F-150 | Engine |
| 2017 Ford F-250 | Engine |
| 2017 Ford F-550 | Engine |
| 2018 Ford F-250 | Engine |
| 2018 Ford F-350 | Engine |
| 2019 Ford F-250 | Engine |
| 2019 Ford F-350 | Engine |
| 2018 Ford F-550 | Engine |
| 2019 Ford F-550 | Engine |
| Units affected | 410,289 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific truck.
What's the safety risk?
A corroded block heater connection can create a resistive short when the heater is plugged in, overheating or melting wiring and increasing fire risk. Treat buzzing, sizzling, a tripped breaker or GFCI, smoke, or sparks as a reason to stop using the block heater and call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2019 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, or F-550 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free engine block heater cable service that addresses corrosion in the splice connector.
- Unplug the engine block heater and avoid using it until the repair is complete.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V894 when you call.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions about the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician disables the engine block heater cable at no charge. When the replacement cable is installed, the technician replaces the block heater cable so water and contaminants cannot keep damaging the splice connector. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Ford's general reimbursement plan covers eligible documented owner paid recall remedies before the owner notice, with eligibility ending January 31, 2019. If you already paid for a related block heater cable repair, contact Ford customer service or ask the service desk how to submit documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 18, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 20, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| December 20, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 7, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 7, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 3, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V894?
Recall 18V894 covers 410,289 2015-2019 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks with an engine block heater cable splice connector that can corrode. When the heater is plugged in, that corrosion can overheat or melt wiring and increase fire risk.
What should I do if my 2015-2019 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, or F-550 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 18V894. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the block heater cable repair. Reference recall number 18V894 and Ford recall number 18S45 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers disable the block heater cable for free and replace the engine block heater cable for free once the replacement parts are available. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the recall defect at no cost to the owner.
What is the safety risk?
The fire risk comes from corrosion in the block heater cable splice connector. When the heater is plugged in, that corrosion can create a resistive short, overheat or melt wiring, and increase the risk of a fire. Unplug the block heater until a Ford dealer completes the repair.
What if I bought this Ford truck used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received Ford's notice after the recall began June 3, 2019, check your VIN and call a franchised Ford dealer with recall number 18V894.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V894000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V894 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V894000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 →