Ford is recalling roughly two million 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles over concerns about possible vehicle fires.
Ford’s investigation found that some front seat belt pretensioners can generate excessive sparks when they deploy. When sufficient sparks are present, gases exhausted inside the lower portion of the B-pillar by the pretensioners may ignite. If this gas ignites, components behind the B-pillar such as insulation and carpet may subsequently catch fire.
The recall affects up to 1,619,112 trucks in the U.S., plus 339,884 in Canada and 36,780 in Mexico.
NHTSA reports on its website that its Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received five Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging fires resulting from activation of the ZF TRW or Takata seatbelt pretensioner during a crash in model year 2015-2018 Ford F-150 vehicles. Two fires self-extinguished, while the other three vehicles were totally destroyed by the fire.
In a press release, Ford states that it’s aware of 17 reports of smoke or fire in the U.S. and six in Canada. Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the incidents.
Affected vehicles include:
- 2015-18 Ford F-150 vehicles built at Dearborn Assembly Plant, March 12, 2014 through Aug. 23, 2018
- 2015-18 Ford F-150 vehicles built at Kansas City Assembly Plant, Aug. 20, 2014 through Aug. 23, 2018
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 24. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 18S27.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. Refer to NHTSA Campaign Number 18V568000.
This article was updated from an earlier version.
