Ford is issuing a recall for select F-150 and Super Duty trucks equipped with engine block heaters. According to Ford, water and contaminants can intrude into the block heater cable's splice connector and cause corrosion and damage to the cable over time. Prolonged corrosion in the cable splice connector could cause a short, 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.

The risk to safety only exists while the vehicle is parked and the block heater cable is plugged into an electrical outlet. Ford says it is aware of three fires originating from the engine block heater cable splice connector, which caused some minor property damage in one incident. Luckily, however, Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue.

Affected vehicles include 2015-19 F-150 vehicles built at the Dearborn Truck Plant between March 18, 2014, and November 17, 2018, and at the Kansas City Assembly Plant between August 21, 2014, and November 17, 2018. It also affects 2017-19 Super Duty vehicles built at the Ohio Assembly Plant between February 5, 2016, and November 17, 2018, and at the Kentucky Truck Plant between October 8, 2015, and November 17, 2018.

In total, 874,000 vehicles are being recalled in North America, with 410,289 in the United States and federal territories and 463,793 in Canada.

Fortunately, the fix is fairly straightforward. Dealers will inspect the engine block heater cable and if it's damaged or corroded, they will replace it. If there are no signs of damage or corrosion, dealers will apply dielectric grease and reconnect the cable. If a replacement cable is required but unavailable, Ford will notify owners when the parts become available.