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Ford Explorer and Focus Block Heater Fire Risk
critical How serious is it? About this label
An electrical short circuit from the leaking block heater can increase the risk of a fire. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
Key facts
| NHTSA campaign number | 26V012000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Part affected | Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater |
| Vehicles covered | 3 model/year combinations, model years 2018–2024 |
| Do-not-drive advisory | No |
| Park-outside advisory | No |
| Repair | Free at any franchised dealer |
What's wrong, in plain English
The engine block heater in some Ford Explorer and Focus vehicles can crack over time and leak coolant. If coolant leaks while the heater is plugged in, it can cause an electrical short circuit inside the heater. This short circuit raises the chance that a fire could start in the vehicle.
What you should do
2. Until the repair is done, do not plug in the block heater.
3. Contact a Ford dealer (1-866-436-7332) for the free repair.
Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?
Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 26V012000. More in how recalls work.
Affected vehicles (3)
Who to contact
Ford — official Ford recall lookup
Customer service: 1-866-436-7332
The bigger picture
- Ford Equipment Recalls Cover Block Heaters, Cameras, and Labels · all 16 Ford recalls in this area
Other Ford Explorer recalls
- Jul 21, 2026Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator Seats May Reclinemedium
- Jul 14, 2026Ford Explorer Roof Rail Covers May Detachhigh
- Jul 14, 2026Ford, Lincoln Second-Row Seats May Shift Unexpectedlyhigh
- Jun 24, 2026Ford, Lincoln SUVs: Transmission Park System May Failhigh
- Jun 9, 2026Ford Explorer Park System May Fail, Rollaway Riskhigh
- May 27, 2026Ford Explorer Engine May Fail Suddenlyhigh
Official notice
- Component
- EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
- Summary
- 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.
- 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 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 October 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.
Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.