After issuing a recall earlier in February for 230,000 vehicles that could have rear suspension toe links that could fracture under frequent use, Ford (F) has issued two more recalls for over 250,000 vehicles sold in North America.

The first recall affects 467,903 2018 to 2020 Ford F-150 pickup trucks that are equipped with LED headlamps. The recalled trucks were produced at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant in Michigan from Jan. 5, 2017 to Oct. 10, 2019, and at its Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri from Jan. 25, 2017 to Oct. 10, 2019.

According to Ford, when the daytime running lamps are illuminated, and the master lighting switch is manually rotated from the autolamp position to the headlamp-on position, the lamps remain activated instead of dimming to a parking lamp intensity. The headlamp issue could reduce visibility for other drivers, which could increase the risk of a crash.

The reduced illumination feature is a federal motor vehicle safety standard requirement.

To repair the headlamp problem, Ford dealers will update the body control module software configuration.

The second recall from Ford also affects F-150 pick trucks with the model year 2015 to 2016. A total of 33,533 pickups are affected by the recall. Affected trucks are equipped with engine block heater elements and a 3.5-liter GTDI engine.

The recalled trucks were built at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant from July 31, 2014 to Sept. 27, 2016, and at its Kansas City Assembly Plant from Feb. 10, 2015 to Oct. 15, 2016.

According to Ford, some of the trucks may have heater block cables that have insufficient heat protection and incorrect length, depending on where the heater element is located. With prolonged exposure to high temperatures, a resistive short could occur, making the engine block heater inoperative or tripping household breakers or GFCI-equipped outlets used when the vehicle is parked, and the block heater is plugged in.

Ford urges F-150 owners not to use the engine block heater cable until they have their truck inspected because the resistive short in the engine-block heater splice connection can cause overheating or melting wiring that could result in a fire. Ford said the fire risk only exists when the vehicle is parked, and the block heater cable is plugged into an electrical outlet.

To repair the fire hazard, Ford dealers will inspect the block heater and its cable and repair or replace it as necessary.

The automaker has not received any reports of fire, accident, or injuries related to the recalls.

Shares of Ford stock were down 2.31% as of 12:45 p.m. EST on Tuesday.

2015 Ford F-150
The aluminum-body 2015 Ford F-150 went on sale in late November. Ford is betting loyalists who have helped make the F-150 the best-selling motor vehicle in America for 32 years won’t flinch at the profound change in the way the car is built. Ford Motor Co.
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