NHTSA recall 26V011000 · Jan 15, 2026

Ford Motor Company: Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire

Product

2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine

Hazard

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

What to do

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.

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Recall details

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.
Component: EQUIPMENT
Recall type: Vehicle
Potentially affected: 116,672
Manufacturer campaign number: 26S01

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notice.

Copied from the agency record without changes. Data as of Oct 14, 2026, 1:15 AM EDT. The agency notice is the final word.

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