## Urgent Safety Alert: Ford Recalls Over 116,000 Vehicles Due to Critical Fire Hazard
A significant safety announcement from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has put over 116,000 Ford vehicles under recall. The cause? A potential fire risk stemming from the engine block heater, a component designed to assist engine startups in frigid conditions. This alert calls for immediate attention from owners of affected models, warning against the use of the device until a permanent fix is implemented.
### The Heart of the Hazard: Understanding the Engine Block Heater Flaw
At the core of this widespread recall is a specific vulnerability in the engine block heater. This essential part, which helps pre-warm the engine by drawing power from an external source, has been identified as a significant safety concern.
#### What’s Going Wrong?
According to the official recall report, the engine block heater unit itself may be prone to cracking. Should this occur while the device is plugged into an external power supply, it can lead to a leak of coolant. This leakage, in turn, creates a dangerous scenario where a short circuit can develop. Federal regulators have issued a stern warning that such an electrical fault dramatically elevates the risk of an underhood fire, posing a serious threat to vehicle occupants and their property.
#### Which Models Are Affected?
The recall encompasses a considerable number of vehicles across several Ford and Lincoln lines equipped with a 2.0L engine. Specifically, it impacts:
* Certain **2013-2018 Ford Focus** models
* Specific **2013-2019 Ford Escape** SUVs
* Select **2015-2016 Lincoln MKC** luxury crossovers
Owners of these vehicles are strongly advised to verify their vehicle’s status through the provided contact information.
### The Alarming Evidence: Incidents and Warning Signs
The decision to issue this recall is not merely precautionary; it is backed by a disturbing record of incidents and clear indicators of potential failure.
#### A History of Incidents
Alarmingly, as of December 2025, federal safety officials have documented twelve distinct reports of fires directly linked to this defect. A notable majority of these incidents have occurred in Ford Escape vehicles, underscoring the urgency of this recall for owners of that particular model.
#### Don’t Ignore These Red Flags
Owners are urged to be vigilant for any telltale signs that their engine block heater may be compromised. Recognizing these crucial indicators early could prevent a dangerous situation. Watch out for:
* **Coolant puddles:** Visible drips or pools of coolant on your driveway or garage floor.
* **Loss of cabin heat:** A noticeable decrease in the effectiveness of your vehicle’s heating system.
* **Burning odors or smoke:** Any unusual smells or visible smoke emanating from under the hood.
* **Overheating:** Your powertrain unit showing signs of overheating.
* **Low coolant warning:** An illuminated warning light indicating insufficient coolant levels.
* **Heat damage:** Signs of heat stress or damage to the block heater’s electrical wiring or connector.
### Your Immediate Action and Future Steps
Ford and federal regulators are providing clear guidance on what owners should do immediately and what to expect in the coming months for a permanent resolution.
#### Cease Use Immediately
To mitigate the immediate risk of an underhood fire, the most critical instruction is straightforward: **owners must refrain from plugging in their vehicle’s engine block heater system until the recall remedy repair has been successfully completed.** This temporary measure is vital for safety.
#### The Road to Resolution: What to Expect
Ford is committed to replacing the defective engine block heaters with newly designed, safer units, free of charge. Here’s a timeline for what owners can anticipate:
* **Initial Notification (By February 13):** Owners will receive a letter detailing the fire hazard and providing interim safety instructions, including the directive to cease using the block heater.
* **Remedy Notification (By April 2026):** A second letter will be dispatched once the newly engineered engine block heater units become available. This notification will instruct owners to contact their Ford or Lincoln dealer to schedule the complimentary replacement.
#### Dealer Directives
Ford dealerships nationwide have already been issued a “delivery hold.” This means they are strictly prohibited from selling or delivering any new in-stock vehicles affected by this recall until the necessary repairs have been performed, ensuring no new owners take possession of a potentially hazardous vehicle.
### Getting Answers: How to Contact Ford
Owners with questions or concerns regarding this recall are encouraged to reach out directly to Ford customer service at **1-866-436-7332**. The recall identification number is **26S01**. Additionally, vehicle identification numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov starting January 16, 2026, allowing owners to independently confirm if their vehicle is affected.
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### Summary of Main Points:
* **Recall Scope:** Ford is recalling over 116,000 vehicles (2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, 2015-2016 MKC with 2.0L engines).
* **Hazard:** A potential fire risk from the engine block heater, which can crack, leak coolant, and short circuit when plugged into an external power source.
* **Incidents:** As of December 2025, 12 fire reports have been linked to the issue, primarily in Escape models.
* **Immediate Action:** Owners are advised to stop using their engine block heater systems until the repair is completed.
* **Warning Signs:** Look for coolant puddles, loss of cabin heat, smoke, burning odors, overheating, or low coolant warnings.
* **Remedy:** Ford will provide a free replacement of the defective engine block heater with a newly designed unit.
* **Timeline:** Owners will receive an initial hazard notification by February 13, followed by a second letter by April 2026 to schedule the repair once parts are available.
* **Dealer Impact:** New affected vehicles cannot be sold or delivered until repaired.
* **Contact:** Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332 (Recall ID: 26S01); VINs searchable on NHTSA.gov since January 16, 2026.