Ford Recalls 116,000 Vehicles Over Possible Coolant Leak That Could Cause Engine Fire

As of December 2025, Ford was aware of 12 Ford Escape vehicle fire cases.

A Ford logo at a dealership in Ottawa, Canada, on Aug. 11, 2023. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

Ford Motor Company announced it was recalling 116,672 Focus, Escape, and Lincoln MKC vehicles due to potential issues with the engine block heater that could lead to a fire in the engine compartment.

According to a notice posted on the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration (NHTSA) website on Jan. 21, the recall involves 49,080 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured between February 2012 and May 2018 at the company’s main assembly plant in Wayne, Michigan. An additional 65,683 Ford Escape models were made between October 2011 and August 2019 at the company’s assembly plant in Louisville, Kentucky.

An additional 1,909 Lincoln MKC compact luxury crossover automobiles made between February 2014 and March 2016 in Louisville were included in the recall.

The issue stems from solder joints in the affected vehicles’ engine block heater, which over time can develop small cracks that allow engine coolant to penetrate into the heater block and deposit salts that conduce electricity. Salt buildup could lead to corrosion in the electrical circuitry or the formation of an electrical bridge that could cause a short circuit, Ford said.

The issue is exacerbated if the engine block heater is plugged into a 110 volt electrical supply, especially with power sources that don’t include a circuit breaker or GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter)-style outlet, the notice added.

“Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied,” the recall notice stated.

Drivers who own Focus and Escape vehicles model years 2013 to 2018, and Lincoln MKC models years 2015-2016 may notice coolant leaks, lack of heat in the vehicle interior, low coolant warning light or the smell of burning electrical circuitry and possibly smoke coming from the engine compartment, the NHTSA notice stated. The engine block heaters were manufactured by Phillips and Temro Industries of Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Ford said it was first made aware of the issue in January 2025 when incidents of fires across the various vehicle lines were reported to its Critical Concern Review Group. In July last year, engineers examined microscopic images of three failed Ford Escape vehicles and identified cracks around the engine block heater solder joints, which allowed engine coolant to seep inside the heater’s electrical connection pocket.

As of December, Ford was aware of 12 Ford Escape vehicle fires that were allegedly caused by the failed solder connections. As part of the recall, affected Ford and Lincoln owners will have a redesigned engine block heater installed at no cost.

Ford said it will begin notifying owners of the issue on Feb. 9 and will send out mailers regarding its plans to remedy affected vehicles starting on April 13. Ford and Lincoln owners can input their vehicle identification number on the NHTSA’s recall website to see if they are part of the recall, or they can contact Ford directly at 866-436-7332 and reference recall number 26S01. Alternatively, the NHTSA offers a vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.