Block Heater Cable Splice Connector May Corrode – 2017-2018 Berkshire Coach Ultra UL1912 & UL1913 Motorhomes

June 17, 2019 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V454000

Block Heater Cable Splice Connector May Corrode

When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V454

Manufacturer Forest River, Inc.

Components EQUIPMENT, ENGINE

Potential Number of Units Affected 2

 

Summary

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Berkshire Coach Ultra UL1912 and UL1913 motorhomes. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable’s splice connector causing corrosion and damage.

 

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and Ford dealers will disable the vehicle’s engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Forest River’s number for this recall is 78-1032.

 

Notes

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.

 

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June 2019

* * * IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL * * *

Safety Recall Notice 18S45 1 NHTSA Recall 18V-894

Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): See Listing

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Ford Motor Company has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in your vehicle, with the VIN shown above.

We apologize for this situation and want to assure you that, with your assistance, we will correct this condition. Our commitment, together with your dealer, is to provide you with the highest level of service and support.

WARNING: DO NOT USE THE ENGINE BLOCK HEATER IN YOUR VEHICLE DUE TO THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

 

Why are you receiving this notice?	Our records indicate that you had previously been notified of Ford Safety receiving this notice? Recall 18S45 affecting the engine block heater cord on your vehicle but have not yet scheduled a repair with a Ford dealer. As explained below, we are instructing you not to use the engine block heater in your vehicle.
What is the issue?	If the block heater cord currently installed on your vehicle is plugged into a wall outlet, this may result in an inoperative engine block heater, tripping of household breakers or GFCI equipped outlets, and/or a resistive short. A resistive short increases the risk of overheated or melted wiring, and/or fire.
What is the risk?	If the engine block heater cord currently installed on your vehicle is plugged into a wall outlet, this may result in an inoperative engine block heater, tripping of household breakers or GFCI equipped outlets, and/or a resistive short. A resistive short increases the risk of overheated or melted wiring, and/or fire.
What will Ford and your dealer do?	Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to disable your existing engine block heater cord. The disabling of the cord will be done free of charge (parts and labor). When replacement parts become available, Ford Motor Company will notify you via mail to schedule a service appointment with your dealer to replace your engine block heater cord assembly. This will also be done free of charge (parts and labor).
How long will it take?	The time needed to disable the engine block heater cord is less than one-half day. However, due to service scheduling requirements, your dealer may need your vehicle for a longer period of time.
What should you do?	WARNING: DO NOT USE THE ENGINE BLOCK HEATER IN YOUR VEHICLE DUE TO THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. Please call your dealer without delay and request a service date for Recall 18S45. Provide the dealer with your VIN, which is printed near your name at the beginning of this letter. The dealer will disable the block heater cord currently installed in your vehicle. Ford has not issued instructions to stop driving your vehicle under this safety recall; however, Ford is instructing you not to use the engine block heater. If you do not already have a servicing dealer, you can access www.Fordowner.com for dealer addresses, maps, and driving instructions. Please note: Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days.

 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Ford Customer Service Division

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Engine Block Heater Wire Cord Replacement
Customer Information Sheet – DO NOT USE – RISK OF FIRE

WARNING: DO NOT USE THE ENGINE BLOCK HEATER IN YOUR VEHICLE DUE TO THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2015 – 2019 Model Year F-150 and 2017 — 2019 Model Year F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with Engine Block Heaters. The engine block heater cord will be disabled under Safety Recall 18S45.

When replacement parts become available, Ford Motor Company will notify you via mail to schedule a service appointment with your dealer to replace your engine block heater cord assembly.

Again, we apologize for the inconvenience this situation causes and assure you that we are doing everything possible to expedite resolution.

Sincerely,

Ford Motor Company
Ford Customer Service Division

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2 Affected Products

Vehicle

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
FOREST RIVER	BERKSHIRE	2017-2018

 

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6 Associated Documents

Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-19V454-4128.PDF 214.041KB

 

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Miscellaneous Document – Ford Docs

RMISC-19V454-8305.pdf 1056.185KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-19V454-7351.pdf 244.754KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2019-2

RCLQRT-19V454-9501.PDF 211.135KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2019-4

RCLQRT-19V454-2215.PDF 211.315KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2019-3

RCLQRT-19V454-5363.PDF 211.232KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

For the Latest and Most Recent Recalls Information Visit the link below…

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=19V454&docType=RCL

 

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