- Ford recalls 116,672 vehicles (Ford Focus, Escape, Lincoln MKC) due to faulty engine block heaters that can crack, leak coolant and cause electrical shorts, leading to engine fires.
- Confirmed Incidents: 12 fires reported (all in Ford Escapes), prompting urgent action. Coolant intrusion into electrical components causes resistive short circuits, especially when plugged into ungrounded outlets.
- Affected models include the 2013–2018 Ford Focus (49,080 vehicles) from the Wayne, MI plant; 2013–2019 Ford Escape (65,683 vehicles) from the Louisville, KY plant; and the 2015–2016 Lincoln MKC (1,909 vehicles) from the Louisville, KY plant.
- Owners must stop using block heaters and watch for coolant leaks, smoke, or burning smells. Free repairs (redesigned heaters) available at dealerships starting April 2026.
- Electrical fires are highly dangerous—harder to extinguish and prone to spontaneous reignition. Ford's phased alerts aim to prevent further incidents while awaiting fixes.
The Ford Motor Company has issued a major recall affecting 116,672 vehicles—including Ford Focus, Escape and Lincoln MKC models—due to a critical defect in the engine block heater that could lead to coolant leaks, electrical shorts and potential engine fires. The recall comes after 12 reported fires linked to the issue, primarily in Ford Escapes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The recall centers around engine block heaters, devices used in cold climates to warm engines before startup. Ford's investigation found that solder joints in the heater can crack over time, allowing engine coolant to seep into the electrical components. This can lead to salt deposits forming inside the heater, which may conduct electricity and cause a resistive short circuit—especially when plugged into a 110-volt outlet without a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
"The condition can cause heat damage to the block heater electrical wiring and connector, and the customer may notice an odor or smoke," warns NHTSA's recall notice. Owners may also observe:
- Coolant puddles under the vehicle
- Loss of cabin heat
- Low coolant warning lights
- Burning smells or visible smoke from the engine bay
The recall spans multiple model years and assembly plants:
- 2013–2018 Ford Focus (49,080 vehicles) – Built in Wayne, Michigan
- 2013–2019 Ford Escape (65,683 vehicles) – Built in Louisville, Kentucky
- 2015–2016 Lincoln MKC (1,909 vehicles) – Built in Louisville
Ford first became aware of the issue in January 2025, when reports of fires reached its Critical Concern Review Group. By December 2025, 12 incidents—all involving Ford Escapes—had been documented. Microscopic analysis revealed coolant intrusion through cracked solder joints, confirming the fire risk.
Ford's block heater danger: Why owners must act now
Ford has issued an urgent warning:
- DO NOT plug in the engine block heater until repairs are completed.
- Watch for warning signs (coolant leaks, smoke, electrical odors).
The automaker will begin notifying owners in two phases:
- Interim Notice (February 9–13, 2026) – Explains the hazard and advises against using the block heater.
- Final Remedy Notice (April 2026) – Informs owners that redesigned heaters are available for free replacement at Ford/Lincoln dealerships.
Dealers are under a delivery hold, meaning they cannot sell affected vehicles until repairs are made.
According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the escalating prevalence of vehicle electrical fires—particularly in modern electric and hybrid vehicles—demands immediate attention due to their catastrophic potential for injury, property damage and systemic infrastructure failures. These fires stem from faulty lithium-ion batteries, poor manufacturing standards and systemic regulatory negligence, all of which are exacerbated by corporate and governmental prioritization of profit over safety.
This defect poses a serious safety risk, particularly in cold climates where drivers rely on block heaters. The fact that fires have already occurred underscores the urgency. Ford's response—issuing a stop-use warning before a permanent fix is ready—reflects the severity.
While recalls are common in the auto industry, electrical fire risks demand immediate attention. Owners of affected vehicles should act swiftly to minimize danger. Ford's phased notification system aims to prevent further incidents while engineers finalize the redesigned heater.
Watch this video about Ford recalling 355,000 trucks over dashboard instrument panel failure.
This video is from the News Plus Globe channel on Brighteon.com.
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