Whereas meals recollects may be straightforward to overlook and even disregard (not that it is a good suggestion), ignoring a automobile recall is further dangerous, even life-threatening. One ought to by no means do it.
That is very true when the automobile recall is because of a hearth threat, as is the case with Ford’s newest recall.
Ford is recalling 116,672 Ford and Lincoln fashions resulting from a harmful challenge that might trigger automobiles to short-circuit and catch fireplace.
The Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) issued Recall No. 26V011 this week. The recall impacts three fashions outfitted with engine block heaters.
“The engine block heater put in in [some Ford and Lincoln] automobiles with a 2.0L engine might expertise overheating and develop a coolant leak by its factor pins. This might trigger a resistive brief whereas the automobile is parked and the block heater is plugged into {an electrical} provide,” NHTSA mentioned.
This isn’t the primary time Ford’s engine block heaters have posed a hearth threat. A 2025 NHTSA recall in 2025 linked practically equivalent heater wiring flaws and coolant leaks to a number of underhood fireplace studies, underscoring a recurring sample, a CBS report discovered.
The present recall impacts automobiles and SUVs which are no less than 5 years previous and in some instances greater than 10 years previous. The present recall contains:
-
2013-2018 Ford Focus
Variety of fashions on this recall: 49,080 -
2015-2016 Lincoln MKC
Variety of fashions on this recall: 1,909 -
2013-2019 Ford Escape
Variety of fashions on this recall: 65,683
That is simply the newest in a long term of recollects for Ford Motor Firm, which issued probably the most security recollects amongst automakers in 2025, with greater than 103 alerts, in line with a report from Kelley Blue E-book.
The variety of recollects Ford has introduced within the final couple of years got here up repeatedly through the firm’s Q2 2025 earnings calls. “We’re not happy with the present stage of recollects or the variety of automobiles impacted,” Ford Chief Working Officer Kumar Gahotra mentioned on the time.
“As more and more complicated automobiles change into more and more regular, Ford has stumbled with regard to high quality,” Autotrader Govt Editor Brian Moody instructed Fox Enterprise in regards to the firm’s earlier recollects. “Whereas most trendy recollects are voluntary, the sheer quantity from Ford is trigger for concern.”
If you happen to personal one of many automobiles listed above, contact Ford instantly to schedule a restore. Ford advises house owners to not use the engine block heater till the restore is accomplished. Repairs are freed from cost, and notifications are being mailed this month.
Some telltale indicators that your automobile is affected by the recall embody “coolant spots on the driveway or storage ground, a lack of cabin warmth, powertrain unit overheating, or a warning indicator for a low coolant stage,” in line with the NHTSA assertion. “Moreover, the situation may cause warmth injury to the block heater electrical wiring and connector and the client might discover an odor or smoke.”
Associated: Honda pressured into one other recall over doubtlessly harmful challenge
Ford and Lincoln house owners can nonetheless drive their automobiles, however Ford recommends “not utilizing the block heater till repairs are made.” Ford mentioned it is creating a brand new block heater factor and that when it turns into accessible, clients can go to a Ford supplier for a free substitute, Ford instructed CBS Information.
Another choice is to have the automobile’s block heater eliminated and a threaded plug put in at a Ford supplier, the corporate mentioned. Ford mentioned sellers will present that service freed from cost.
-
2024-2025: Ford rearview digital camera failures. 1+ million automobiles recalled as a result of the rearview digital camera picture can freeze, delay, or fail, rising crash threat, as reported by Reuters.
-
2025: Fordlow-pressure gas pump defect. About 850,000 automobiles recalled resulting from fuel-pump failure that may trigger engine stalling whereas driving, in line with NHTSA.
-
2024-2025:Jeep/Stellantis plug-In hybrid battery fireplace threat. Roughly 375,000 Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe automobiles recalled over battery defects which will trigger fires; house owners suggested to park outside, per Reuters.
-
2024-2025:Normal Motors 6.2L V8 engine failure threat. About 597,000 automobiles (Chevy Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban; GMC Sierra, Yukon; Cadillac Escalade) tied to engine failure issues, in line with Shopper Studies.
-
2021-2023: Hyundai & Kia’s fireplace threat for ABS/trailer hitch wiring. Greater than 3 million automobiles recalled throughout a number of campaigns resulting from electrical points that might trigger engine-compartment fires, NHTSA reported.
-
2023-2025: Toyota’s multimedia/backup digital camera show failures. Practically 400,000 automobiles have been recalled for screens going clean or freezing, affecting backup digital camera visibility, in line with Autoweek.
This story was initially printed by TheStreet on Jan 24, 2026, the place it first appeared within the Automotive part. Add TheStreet as a Most well-liked Supply by clicking right here.
