Recall 19V278 covers 131,068 2015-2019 Ford F-Series trucks with engine block heater cable damage. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 131,068 2015-2019 F-150, F-250 Sd, F-350 Sd, F-450 Sd, and F-550 Sd trucks with engine block heaters that were repaired under an earlier recall. The prior repair can damage the block heater cable splice connector, creating a resistive short and overheated or melted wiring; Ford dealers will replace the cable free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The engine block heater on these Ford 2015-2019 F-150, F-250 Sd, F-350 Sd, F-450 Sd, and F-550 Sd trucks warms the engine block when the truck is parked in cold weather. Its cable carries household electrical power from the wall outlet to the heater. The splice connector is the joined section of that cable, and it needs clean, solid terminals to carry current safely.
During the earlier 18S45 repair, the inspection step required the inline splice connector to be separated. That separation can twist or flex the connector enough to fracture one or more of the three male terminals inside the molded plug. A broken terminal is not always visible, and debris or corrosion can make the connection worse. If the cable is plugged in afterward, the damaged connector can create a resistive short and a fire risk.
Owners can notice the block heater stops working, the household breaker or outlet GFCI trips, or the cable makes a buzzing or sizzling sound. Smoke or sparks at the wall outlet connection are warning signs.
Who's affected?
Covers five Ford truck classes across the 2015-2019 model years, with engine and electrical listings in scope.
| 2018 Ford F-150 | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2018 Ford F-150 | Electrical |
| 2018 Ford F-550 Sd | Engine |
| 2018 Ford F-550 Sd | Electrical |
| 2017 Ford F-450 Sd | Engine |
| 2017 Ford F-450 Sd | Electrical |
| 2019 Ford F-450 Sd | Engine |
| 2019 Ford F-450 Sd | Electrical |
| 2019 Ford F-150 | Engine |
| 2019 Ford F-150 | Electrical |
| 2017 Ford F-250 Sd | Engine |
| 2017 Ford F-250 Sd | Electrical |
| 2019 Ford F-350 Sd | Engine |
| 2019 Ford F-350 Sd | Electrical |
| 2018 Ford F-250 Sd | Engine |
| 2018 Ford F-250 Sd | Electrical |
| 2019 Ford F-250 Sd | Engine |
| 2019 Ford F-250 Sd | Electrical |
| 2018 Ford F-450 Sd | Electrical |
| 2017 Ford F-350 Sd | Engine |
| 2017 Ford F-350 Sd | Electrical |
| 2019 Ford F-550 Sd | Engine |
| 2019 Ford F-550 Sd | Electrical |
| 2017 Ford F-550 Sd | Engine |
| 2017 Ford F-550 Sd | Electrical |
| 2018 Ford F-350 Sd | Engine |
| 2018 Ford F-350 Sd | Electrical |
| 2015 Ford F-150 | Engine |
| 2015 Ford F-150 | Electrical |
| 2016 Ford F-150 | Engine |
| 2016 Ford F-150 | Electrical |
| 2017 Ford F-150 | Engine |
| 2017 Ford F-150 | Electrical |
| 2018 Ford F-450 Sd | Engine |
| Units affected | 131,068 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific truck.
What's the safety risk?
A damaged block heater cable can create a resistive short, overheat or melt wiring, and increase the risk of a fire. If the heater stops working, a breaker or GFCI trips, or you hear buzzing or sizzling, see smoke, or see sparks while the cord is plugged in, unplug it and schedule service. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2019 Ford F-150, F-550 Sd, F-450 Sd, F-250 Sd, or F-350 Sd is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free engine block heater cord repair that addresses the damaged splice connector and fire risk.
- Avoid using the engine block heater until the dealer disables it or replaces the cord.
- Bring the owner notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V278 and Ford recall 19S11 when you call.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions about scheduling or repair status.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician disables the engine block heater so it cannot be used, then replaces the engine block heater cord under the recall process. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for this remedy before the recall notice, Ford's reimbursement plan covers eligible documented costs. Reimbursement eligibility ended April 30, 2019, so bring any prior repair paperwork and ask the service desk how Ford handles that claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 8, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 9, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| April 9, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 22, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 22, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 31, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V278?
Recall 19V278 covers 131,068 2015-2019 Ford F-150, F-550 Sd, F-450 Sd, F-250 Sd, and F-350 Sd trucks with engine block heaters previously repaired under recall 18V894. A damaged block heater cable splice connector can overheat or melt wiring and raise fire risk. Ford dealers repair it for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2019 Ford F-150, F-550 Sd, F-450 Sd, F-250 Sd, or F-350 Sd is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 19V278. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the engine block heater repair. Reference recall number 19V278 and Ford recall number 19S11 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford dealers will disable the engine block heater, then replace the engine block heater cord free of charge when replacement cables are available.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire from overheated or melted wiring. Ford says damage to the block heater cable splice connector can create a resistive short. Until the repair is complete, do not use the engine block heater.
What if I bought my Ford truck used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer with recall 19V278 and Ford recall number 19S11.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V278000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V278 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V278000 |
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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →