NHTSA Campaign 26V012000

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

Issued by Ford Motor Company · Reported Jan 15, 2026 · 2,403 vehicles affected

What's 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.

Consequence

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 April 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 affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
FORD EXPLORER 2019 2,403
FORD EXPLORER 2024 2,403
FORD FOCUS 2016 2,403
FORD FOCUS 2017 2,403
FORD FOCUS 2018 2,403

Source: NHTSA Campaign 26V012000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.