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Lincoln electrical recalls: hybrid battery fires, blank screens, trailer brakes
High-voltage battery defects dominate this group. A cell manufacturing defect that can short internally has been recalled repeatedly on Corsair plug-in hybrids spanning 2021 through 2026 model years, and on 2020-2022 Aviator PHEVs with the 3.0L engine — including a 2025 campaign for Aviators repaired incorrectly the first time. Earlier 2.5L hybrid Corsairs from 2021-2022 lost drive power through battery failure and insufficient internal welds. Away from the battery, the pattern is software and wiring: integrated trailer brake faults on Navigator recalled three separate times, blank instrument clusters on the 2019 Nautilus and Navigator, rebooting displays on the 2024 Nautilus, engine block heaters that overheat on Nautilus and Corsair, and unsecured starter and alternator cables on the 2018 MKX and 2019 MKT.
Warning signs to watch for
- Sudden loss of drive power, described in several notices as happening with no warning
- Blank instrument cluster at start-up (2019 Nautilus and Navigator), or the center and panoramic screens rebooting to black while driving (2024 Nautilus)
- A towed trailer with electric brakes does not slow the vehicle, or trailer lights drop out while towing
- Overheating, smoke or fire around the engine block heater while the vehicle is plugged in
- Loss of the speedometer, warning lights and rear camera image at the same time on the 2024 Nautilus
Is it safe to keep driving?
No recall in this group orders owners to stop driving or park outside, but several add conditions. For the plug-in hybrid Corsair and Aviator battery recalls, Ford tells owners to use only "Auto EV" mode and to limit maximum charge as instructed by mail; the 2024 Escape and Corsair campaign says not to charge the battery at all until the repair is complete. Stop using the engine block heater on affected Nautilus and Corsair models. Avoid towing a trailer with electric brakes until the Navigator trailer module software is updated.
What the free repair involves
Battery recalls are handled with software plus hardware where needed: dealers update the battery energy control module and hybrid powertrain control module, run diagnostics, and replace the high-voltage battery pack if the test calls for it. Others are simpler — trailer brake and multimedia software updates by dealer or over the air, instrument cluster reprogramming, block heater element replacement, and inspection of starter and alternator cables. All free.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 8 |
| high | 5 |
| medium | 4 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
Common questions
Can I still charge my Corsair plug-in hybrid?
It depends which notice you received. The December 2024 campaign tells owners not to charge until the repair is finished. The 2025 and 2026 battery recalls instead tell owners to use only "Auto EV" mode and to limit the maximum charge as Ford instructs by mail.
Ford already replaced my Aviator's high-voltage battery — am I finished?
Not necessarily. A May 2025 recall covers 2020-2021 Aviator plug-in hybrids that were repaired incorrectly under recall 23V626, and those vehicles need a Battery Energy Control Module software update. Check your VIN rather than assuming the earlier repair closed it out.
Why has my Navigator's trailer brake recall come back twice?
The 2022 software update was performed incorrectly on some vehicles, prompting a 2025 re-do, and a 2026 recall covers a separate integrated trailer module fault that can also cut trailer lights. Each one needs its own software update at a dealer or over the air.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.