MENA Newswire, DETROIT: Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 119,000 vehicles in the United States after federal safety regulators said a defect in certain engine block heaters can raise the risk of an under-hood fire when the heater is plugged in. The recall covers some Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter engines, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
NHTSA said the engine block heater in the affected vehicles may develop cracks that allow coolant to leak through the heater’s element pins. If coolant reaches the heater-to-cord interface and the system is connected to a 110-volt power supply, the condition can lead to a resistive short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. Regulators said the risk is elevated when the heater is plugged into an outlet without a functional circuit breaker or ground fault circuit interrupter protection.
The recall includes certain Ford Escape vehicles from model years 2013 through 2019, Ford Focus vehicles from model years 2016 through 2018, Ford Explorer vehicles from model years 2019 and 2024, and Lincoln MKC vehicles from model years 2015 and 2016. Ford and NHTSA are advising owners not to plug in the engine block heater until the repair is completed. Vehicles can otherwise be operated normally if the block heater is not used.
Ford said dealers will replace the engine block heater at no cost to customers once parts are available. The company and regulators also outlined warning signs that may be observed in some cases, including coolant spots on a driveway or garage floor, loss of cabin heat, engine overheating, or a low-coolant warning indicator. Heat damage to wiring or connectors, as well as smoke or an unusual odor, may also be noticed.
Engine block heater defect and fire risk
Ford’s safety filings describe how coolant intrusion can leave electrically conductive deposits after evaporation, which can accumulate and create an unintended electrical path to ground. The filings identify the engine block heater as the component involved and list Phillips and Temro Industries as the supplier for the recalled heaters. Ford’s documentation also notes that some complaints and claims tied to block heater fires were reported, with a significant share of incidents occurring in Canada.
The automaker said it will notify affected owners by mail with instructions on how to obtain service once the remedy is ready. Interim notices are scheduled to begin going out on Feb. 13, 2026, and Ford has told regulators it expects a newly designed replacement heater to be available in April. Owner eligibility for the recall can be confirmed through dealers using Ford’s service databases or through recall information provided by safety regulators.
Owners advised to stop using heaters until repaired
NHTSA emphasized that the hazard is linked to the use of the block heater and the presence of electrical power, including scenarios in which the vehicle is parked and turned off but still plugged in. The recall guidance focuses on reducing exposure by instructing owners to stop using the block heater immediately and to schedule the free repair once notified that parts and appointments are available.
Ford’s recall adds to a series of recent actions across the auto industry tied to electrical and thermal risks in auxiliary components, particularly in cold-weather regions where block heaters are more commonly used. For owners, the immediate step is straightforward: avoid connecting the block heater to household power until the replacement part is installed, and watch for cooling-system warning signs that may indicate a leak.
