Ford Motor Company: Equipment:Electrical:Engine Block Heater (2016 FORD FOCUS, 2017 FORD FOCUS, 2018 FORD FOCUS…)

Company / brand

Ford Motor Company

Product

2016 FORD FOCUS; 2017 FORD FOCUS; 2018 FORD FOCUS; 2019 FORD EXPLORER; 2024 FORD EXPLORER

Reason / hazard

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

What to do (remedy)

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 blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.

Distribution / sold at

Potentially affected: 2403

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. 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:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

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