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Ford Focus and Escape block heaters can short, causing fire

NHTSA campaign 26V011000 · Reported 2026-01-15 · Ford Motor Company

critical How serious is it? About this label

This is a fire risk, so do not plug in the block heater under any circumstances until the repair is done; the notice does not restrict normal driving otherwise.

What's wrong, in plain English

These vehicles have an engine block heater, the plug-in heater that warms the engine in cold weather. The heater can crack and leak coolant onto its electrical parts. When the heater is plugged in, that leak can cause an electrical short circuit, and a short circuit can start a fire. Ford is telling owners not to plug in the block heater at all until the vehicle is repaired. A dealer will replace the heater free of charge.

What you should do

1. Stop plugging in the engine block heater right now, and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for recall 26V011000 (Ford number 26S01).
2. Watch for Ford's follow-up letter announcing the final repair, then book a dealer appointment to have the block heater replaced free of charge.
3. Ask the dealer about the free alternative of removing the heater's cord and fitting a threaded plug; Ford's number is 1-866-436-7332.

Affected vehicles (3)

2018 Ford Escape
2018 Ford Focus
2019 Ford Escape

Who to contact

Ford — official Ford recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Should I worry about Ford block heater and backup camera recalls? · all 15 Ford recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Safety risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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 plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.