Ford recall: Equipment
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
What could happen
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.
Vehicles covered
- Ford Explorer 2019, 2024
- Ford Focus 2016–2018
Facts
- NHTSA recall number
- 26V012000
- Type
- Vehicle
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company
- Reported to NHTSA
- Jan 15, 2026
- Owners notified
- Not yet
- Vehicles or items affected
- 2,403
- Started by
- The manufacturer
- Built
- May 20, 2023 to Apr 25, 2024
- Part
- Equipment › Electrical › Engine block heater
- Maker's own recall number
- 25SA4
Other recalls for the same vehicles
- Ford recall: Air bags Sep 9, 2026
- Ford recall: Engine and engine cooling Aug 25, 2026
- Ford recall: Engine and engine cooling Aug 13, 2026
- Ford / Lincoln recall: Seats Jul 21, 2026
- Ford / Lincoln recall: Seats Jul 14, 2026
- Ford recall: Structure Jul 14, 2026
To check one car, enter its 17-character VIN on the official NHTSA page: a recall may cover only some vehicles of a model year.
Recall data: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.