Engine Block Heater Safety Recall Affects 119K Ford Vehicles Across Multiple Model Lines

Ford Motor Company has initiated a significant safety recall affecting 119,075 vehicles in the United States due to a critical defect in the engine block heater component. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirmed that affected owners will begin receiving recall notification letters starting February 13, 2026. This action highlights the importance of addressing heating system defects before they escalate into serious safety hazards.

Understanding the Engine Block Heater Defect and Fire Risk

The engine block heater, a device designed to warm engine coolant and facilitate easier cold-weather engine starts, has been identified with a cracking issue in certain models. When the block heater cracks, coolant leaks from the system, creating conditions that can lead to electrical short circuits when the heater is connected to a power source. This malfunction poses a direct fire risk, making it essential for affected vehicle owners to cease using their block heaters immediately until repairs are completed.

Ford dealers will replace the faulty heaters at no cost to owners as part of the recall remediation process. Vehicle owners are strongly urged to avoid operating the block heater until the replacement has been performed, prioritizing vehicle safety over convenience.

Which Ford Models Are Affected by the Engine Block Heater Recall

The recall encompasses a broad range of Ford model years and variants. Affected vehicles include select 2016-2018 Focus models, 2019 and 2024 Explorer models, certain 2013-2018 Focus variants, 2013-2019 Escape models, and 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC units. This wide scope reflects the prevalence of the engine block heater component across Ford’s product lineup during these production years.

The company’s geographic focus on the United States market indicates that approximately 119,000 vehicles sold or registered domestically require this safety intervention. Owners of these specific models and years should check their vehicle identification number against the official NHTSA recall database to determine if their car is included.

Ford’s 2025 Record-Breaking Recall Year Signals Quality Concerns

The engine block heater recall is part of a larger pattern: Ford set an industry record in 2025 by issuing 152 separate recalls—more than any other automaker in a single year. This achievement surpassed longstanding industry benchmarks and raised questions about the legacy manufacturer’s quality control processes.

In December 2025 alone, Ford recalled more than 272,000 hybrid and electric vehicles due to a separate software defect affecting the Integrated Parking Module. This malfunction could prevent the module from locking into park position when drivers shift into park, creating a rollaway risk. The December action impacted 2022-2026 F-150 Lightning models, 2024-2026 Mustang Mach-E units, and 2025-2026 Maverick vehicles—demonstrating that quality challenges span both traditional and electrified powertrains.

Rivian and Honda Address Their Own Critical Safety Issues

Ford is not alone in the recall spotlight. In January 2026, Rivian Automotive recalled 19,641 R1 vehicles that previously underwent rear suspension service. According to NHTSA documentation, improper reassembly of the rear suspension toe link joint during prior maintenance created a safety hazard. Rivian will replace rear toe link bolts at no cost, with the action affecting 7,031 R1S SUVs and 12,610 R1T pickup trucks from 2022-2025 model years that received service between April 1, 2022, and March 10, 2025.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. issued its own safety recall in November 2025 for 406,290 United States vehicles due to a manufacturing defect involving aluminum alloy wheels. The recall targets select 2016-2021 Civic models equipped with 18-inch aluminum alloy wheel accessories that could potentially detach during operation, creating a collision hazard.

What Vehicle Owners Should Do Now

If you own one of the affected Ford models listed above, the recommended actions are straightforward. First, stop using your engine block heater immediately—do not connect it to a power source until the replacement is completed. Second, watch for official recall notification mail from Ford, expected by mid-February 2026. Third, contact your local Ford dealer to schedule the free replacement service at your earliest convenience.

Owners of Rivian R1 vehicles and Honda Civic models with affected components should similarly monitor their mail for recall notices and reach out to authorized dealers to arrange corrective work. These recalls represent the automotive industry’s commitment to customer safety, even when identified years after vehicle purchase or delivery.

The wave of recalls across multiple manufacturers in early 2026 underscores the ongoing importance of vehicle maintenance, prompt response to manufacturer safety notices, and regular communication between automakers and regulatory agencies like NHTSA to identify and address emerging safety concerns.