Ford's Proactive Safety Measures: Addressing Latent Risks for Driver Confidence
The Triple Recall: Ford's Proactive Move to Address Fire Concerns
Ford has recently initiated three simultaneous recalls, becoming the leading automaker in the country for recall incidents in 2026. These recalls primarily address a fire hazard associated with a specific engine block heater that may short-circuit. The affected components include 2,633 accessory parts sold for certain Ford and Lincoln vehicles manufactured between 2013 and 2019, equipped with 2.0-liter engines. Additionally, two other recalls cover a total of 119,075 vehicles from the 2013 to 2024 model years, all due to the same safety concern.
Specific Vehicles Affected by Ford's Latest Safety Campaigns and Their Underlying Causes
The first of these recalls targets the Ford Focus, Ford Escape, and Lincoln MKC models. The second recall expands this list to include the Ford Explorer. The models implicated span various production years: Ford Focus (2013-2018), Ford Escape (2013-2019), Lincoln MKC (2015-2016), and Ford Explorer (2019 & 2024). According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the core issue lies with the engine block heaters, where element pins may develop coolant leaks. This leakage can lead to a resistive short circuit when the system is plugged in, significantly increasing the risk of an underhood fire.
Identifying Malfunctions: Early Indicators and the Awaited Resolution
Owners of affected vehicles should be vigilant for several warning signs indicating a potential problem. These include coolant spots appearing under the vehicle, a reduction in cabin heating efficiency, engine overheating, or a low coolant warning light activating. In more severe instances, a burning smell or visible smoke might occur. Ford advises owners to immediately cease using their engine block heaters until a permanent solution is available. Although Ford identified this issue over a year ago, on January 16, 2025, the necessary repairs are still being developed. Customer VINs can be checked on nhtsa.gov, but interim notifications to owners are scheduled for February 9-13, with actual repair solutions not expected before April 13.