One automaker closed 2018 with a large recall caused by fire concerns

One of the largest automotive recalls of 2018 came right at the end of the year with Ford Motor Co. recalling nearly 900,000 F-150 and Super Duty trucks because of a engine block heater cable known to have caused at least three fires.

Ford said no injuries or deaths were associated with those fires and one caused minor property damage.

The engine block heater cables are used in cold weather climates. Owners plug the cable into an extension cord and warm their engines for easier startups on cold days in frigid places like North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming and elsewhere. Ford said there is only a risk for fire when the cable is plugged in.

Fewer than half of the affected vehicles (410,289) were sold in the U.S. The other 463,793 are in Canada.

Ford said dealers will inspect the cables for corrosion or damage and replace if necessary. If replacement is not necessary, dealers will apply dielectric grease to the to the splice connector.

Earlier in December, Toyota recalled 89,740 SUVs because of a faulty sensor that could prevent airbags from inflating in a crash. The recall affected some Toyota Land Cruisers and Lexus LX 570s built between 2008 and 2019.