January 22, 2019 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V048000
Block Heater Cable Splice Connector May Corrode
Prolonged corrosion of the connector may cause a resistive short, overheating or melting the wiring and increasing the risk of a fire.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V048
Manufacturer Forest River
, Inc.
Components ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected 11
Summary
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Glaval Entourage motorhomes and 2017-2018 Berkshire Coach Ultra motorhomes built on a Ford chassis and equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable’s splice connector causing corrosion and damage to the connector, which can result in an electrical short.
Remedy
Forest River has notified owners, and Ford dealers will inspect the block heater cable and replace it if damage is found. If no damage is found, the terminal connector will be packed with grease and reconnected. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on February 6, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-343-5111 or Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Forest River’s number for this recall is 51-0940.
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.
January 2019
* * * IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL * * *
Safety Recall Notice 18S45 / NHTSA Recall 18V-894
Mr. John Sample
123 Main Street
Anywhere, USA 12345
Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): 12345678901234567
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.
| What is the issue? | On your vehicle, the engine block heater wire assembly may be susceptible to excess water intrusion or corrosion in the in-line connector. |
| What is the risk? | While the vehicle is parked and the block heater is plugged in, an inoperative engine block heater, tripping of household breakers or GFCI equipped outlets, and/or a resistive short may occur. A resistive short may 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 inspect the engine block heater wire assembly in-line connector for water intrusion and/or corrosion, and replace if necessary, free of charge (parts and labor).
After the inspection, if the in-line connector requires replacement, and parts are not available to repair your vehicle, your dealer will perform an interim repair of applying grease and will provide you with a Customer Information sheet. If your dealer performs an interim repair because parts are not currently available, Ford |
| How long will it take? | The time needed for this repair is less than one-half day. However, due to service scheduling requirements, your dealer may need your vehicle for a longer period of time. In addition, your vehicle will require an inspection to determine if parts need to be ordered. |
| What should you do? | 1) Ford does not recommend owners use their engine block heater until your vehicle is inspected. If the engine block heater continues to be used, ensure the vehicle is parked outside and away from any structures, connect the system to a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) 120-volt AC electrical outlet and follow all instructions and warnings in your vehicles owner’s manual.2) 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.
Ford 3) Owners can continue to safely drive their vehicle if they follow all instructions and warnings contained in the recall notice. If you do not already have a servicing dealer, you can access www.Fordowner.com for dealer addresses, maps, and driving instructions. Ford 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. NOTE: You can receive information about Recalls and Customer Satisfaction Programs through our FordPass App. The app can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play. In addition there are other features such as reserving and paying for parking in certain locations and controlling certain functions on your vehicle (lock or unlock doors, remote start) if it is equipped to allow control. |
| Have you previously paid for this repair? | If you have previously paid for a repair that addresses the issue described in this letter, you still need to have this recall performed to ensure the correct parts and procedures were used.
You may be eligible for a refund of previously paid repairs. Refunds will only be provided for service related to a genuine Ford
To verify eligibility and expedite reimbursement, give your paid original receipt to your dealer. Refund requests may also be sent directly to Ford Refund requests mailed to this address may take up to 60 days to process. Your original receipt will be returned to you. Detailed information regarding eligibility for Ford |
| What if you no longer own this vehicle? | If you no longer own this vehicle, and have an address for the current owner, please forward this letter to the new owner.You received this notice because government regulations require that notification be sent to the last known owner of record. Our records are based primarily on state registration and title data, which indicate that you are the current owner. |
| Can we assist you further?
| If you have difficulties getting your vehicle repaired promptly and without charge, please contact your dealership’s Service Manager for assistance.
RETAIL OWNERS: If you have questions or concerns, please contact our Ford For the hearing impaired call 1-800-232-5952 (TDD). Representatives are available Monday through Friday: 8:00AM – 8:00PM (Eastern Time). FLEET OWNERS: If you have questions or concerns, please contact our Fleet Customer Information Center at 1-800-34-FLEET, choose Option #3, and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you. If you wish to contact us through the Internet, our address is: www.fleet.ford.com. Representatives are available Monday through Friday: 8:00AM – 8:00 PM (Eastern Time). If you are still having difficulty getting your vehicle repaired in a reasonable time or without charge, you may write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call the toll free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or go to www.safercar.gov. Reference NHTSA Safety Recall 18V-894. |
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Ford Customer Service Division
3 Affected Products
Vehicles
| FOREST RIVER | BERKSHIRE | 2017-2018 |
| GLAVAL BUS | ENTOURAGE | 2019 |
5 Associated Documents
Recall Acknowledgement
RCAK-19V048-1642.pdf 245.854KB
Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2019-1
RCLQRT-19V048-3014.PDF 211.137KB
Defect Notice 573 Report
RCLRPT-19V048-7623.PDF 215.971KB
Ford Recall Notice
RMISC-19V048-9560.pdf 209.184KB
Recall 573 Report-Amendment 1
RCLRPT-19V048-4198.PDF 215.971KB
Latest Recalls Documents
- Fitment: This Engine Block
Heater will only fit 1995 and newer 7.3 engines - Volts: 120 | Watts: 1000 | Plug Type: 120 Volt | Heater size: 3/4" NPT
- Installation Information: Replaces 3/4" threaded plug in oil cooler
- Features: Ensure quick winter starts and reduce engine wear
- Package Includes: Engine Block Heater Element and 6 feet Power Cord, Replaces for F7TZ-6A051-AA
- Ensure quick winter starts and reduce engine wear
- For Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, International, Caterpillar, Detroit Diesel, Hino, Mack, Nissan. See Zero start catalog for specific applications.
- 3/4" NPT thread
- 6' (1. 8m) cord included
- Volts: 120 | Watts: 1000 | Plug Type: 120 Volt, 15 Amp (Type A)
- Compatibility: Replacement for Ford for F-250 for F-350 7.3L for Powerstroke Diesel 1995-2003. Replacement for Ford 7.3L Diesel engines in any vehicle, Pickup Trucks, Vans, Towtrucks all 1995-2003
- Replace Part Number: Replace F7TZ-6A051-AA. Please carefully check the model/part number/year to ensure it is suitable for your car
- Durability: Manufactured from quality materials under strict quality control to ensure longer service life. Able to withstand harsh environments and provide long-lasting and stable heating effect
- Efficient Heating: The heater can help preheat, effectively shorten the start-up time in cold weather, reduce equipment wear and tear, improve the starting efficiency and running performance
- Easy Installation: The replacement process is quick and easy, no need to modify the original system, direct replacement, saving time and installation costs
- Compatible Vehicle Models: This F7TZ-6A051-AA heater assembly is compatible with Ford Super Duty F150 F250 F350 F450 1995-2003, compatible with Ford other V8 7.3L vehicles for Pickup Trucks, for Vans, for Towtrucks all 1995-2003
- Replace Part Number & Product Specifications: Replaces F7TZ-6A051-AA. Working parameters 120V, 1000W. The heater features a 3/4" NPT connection port and a simplified structural design, offering effortless usability for your convenience
- Rapid Preheating: This heater adopts a unique heating design that directly contacts the diesel , which boosts heating efficiency, enables rapid preheating in low temperatures, and effectively solves the problem of difficult cold starts for your car
- Long-Lasting Material: This F7TZ-6A051-AA heating element is crafted from high thermal conductivity metal with a specialized surface finish, delivering exceptional aging resistance and wear resistance for reliable, long-term use
- Easy to Use: This F7TZ-6A051-AA heater assembly features a plug-and-play design for quick replacement of old parts, reducing vehicle maintenance time and costs. It is the ideal replacement component for your needs
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