Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F)* is recalling more than 119,000 model-year 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, 2024 Ford Explorer and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2-liter engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in. This increases the hazard of an under-hood fire.
“A short circuit in the engine block heater increases the risk of an under-hood fire. The risk is increased when the block heater is plugged into a 110-volt electrical supply without a functional circuit breaker or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) power outlet. This risk only exists when the block heater is plugged in,” Ford said in the mandatory recall filing made public by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today.
“Engine block heater solder joints can develop cracks around the element base which allows coolant to infiltrate into the block heater to cord interface. Evaporation of this coolant leaves behind electrically conductive salt deposits. Over time, these deposits accumulate, forming a salt bridge or corroding electrical connections, which could establish an electrical path to ground and may result in a resistive short circuit.
“The customer may notice coolant spots on the driveway or garage floor, a loss of cabin heat, powertrain unit overheating, or a warning indicator for a low coolant level. Additionally, the condition can cause heat damage to the block heater electrical wiring and connector and the customer may notice an odor or smoke,” Ford said.
Information as to the applicability of this action to specific vehicles can best be obtained by either calling Ford’s toll-free line (1-866-436-7332) or by contacting a local Ford or Lincoln dealer who can obtain specific information regarding the vehicles from the Ford On-line Automotive Service Information System (OASIS) database.
Mailing of interim owner notification letters is not expected to begin until 9 February 2026, and is expected to be completed by 13 February. Mailing of remedy owner notification letters is expected to begin 13 April 13, 2026, and is expected to be completed by 17 April 2026. The date VINs are searchable now.
Chronology of Ford Motor Block Heater Fire Hazard
- On 16 January 2025, an issue pertaining to potential Engine Block Heater (EBH) fires across multiple model years and vehicle lines was brought to Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) for review.
- From February 2025 through May 2025, Ford Supplier Technical Assistance (STA) and Engineering performed a comprehensive onsite review of supplier material and manufacturing quality records. The review did not identify any manufacturing quality concerns and determined that the EBHs were manufactured within Ford’s specifications and met all design requirements.
- In July 2025, microscopic images of three failed CV6T EBHs from fire-damaged 2014-2017 Escape 2.0L Engine vehicles were analyzed. The images revealed cracks to the solder joint around the base of the heater element, indicating a potential path for coolant to seep inside the cord connector pocket.
- In August 2025, the CCRG investigation team reviewed CT-scan images from the same failed CV6T parts. These images also indicated internal solder voids. The root cause for the solder joint cracks and solder voids remains under investigation.
- From September to December 2025, Ford Engineering conducted thermal shock endurance tests and simulated different usage scenarios on 2.0L engine block applications but did not find definitive evidence of the cause of the solder cracks or voids. The packaging of the block heater element in 2.0L engine blocks, the negative inclination angle, and cooling system leakage in combination may result in the susceptibility of block heater element overheating.
- As of 3 December 2025, Ford is aware of 12 Ford Escape 2.0L vehicle owners that are alleging vehicle fires caused by the CV6T EBH.
- On 8 January 2026, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field action. Ford is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Fire Risk – Ford Recalls Escape, Explorer, Focus, MKC Models
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F)* is recalling more than 119,000 model-year 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, 2024 Ford Explorer and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2-liter engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in. This increases the hazard of an under-hood fire.
“A short circuit in the engine block heater increases the risk of an under-hood fire. The risk is increased when the block heater is plugged into a 110-volt electrical supply without a functional circuit breaker or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) power outlet. This risk only exists when the block heater is plugged in,” Ford said in the mandatory recall filing made public by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today.
“Engine block heater solder joints can develop cracks around the element base which allows coolant to infiltrate into the block heater to cord interface. Evaporation of this coolant leaves behind electrically conductive salt deposits. Over time, these deposits accumulate, forming a salt bridge or corroding electrical connections, which could establish an electrical path to ground and may result in a resistive short circuit.
“The customer may notice coolant spots on the driveway or garage floor, a loss of cabin heat, powertrain unit overheating, or a warning indicator for a low coolant level. Additionally, the condition can cause heat damage to the block heater electrical wiring and connector and the customer may notice an odor or smoke,” Ford said.
Information as to the applicability of this action to specific vehicles can best be obtained by either calling Ford’s toll-free line (1-866-436-7332) or by contacting a local Ford or Lincoln dealer who can obtain specific information regarding the vehicles from the Ford On-line Automotive Service Information System (OASIS) database.
Mailing of interim owner notification letters is not expected to begin until 9 February 2026, and is expected to be completed by 13 February. Mailing of remedy owner notification letters is expected to begin 13 April 13, 2026, and is expected to be completed by 17 April 2026. The date VINs are searchable now.
Chronology of Ford Motor Block Heater Fire Hazard
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.