Ford Recalls 120,000 Vehicles For Potential Engine Fire Risk

By Evan Williams

It's three weeks into the new year, and already Ford is on top of the recall list. Though if we're being fair, these are three recalls for what is really just one issue. It's a problem with some bad engine block heaters sold as factory installed, and as dealer-sold optional accessories. There are approximately 120,000 vehicles potentially affected.

Not Many Vehicles, But A Massive Range Of Years

This recall covers a sizable number of vehicles, but it also extends over multiple years. Vehicles built as far back as 2013 are on the list, with some 2024 model year vehicles also in need of a recall remedy.

Models that left Ford with the potential faulty block heaters:

According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the problem is with solder joints in the engine block heater. That isn't the critical issue, though. The joints can let engine coolant into the heater, where it can flow into the area where the power cord joins the heater. When the coolant evaporates, it leaves behind salt deposits. Over time, the salt can lead to a short circuit in the system. So yes, leaking coolant can ultimately cause a short circuit, leading to a fire.

And apparently, it has happened. Government documents say that Ford is aware of six complaints from customers in the US and 21 claims in Canada. There are also 30 legal claims involving 46 vehicles that allege fires caused by the block heater. The good news is that Ford isn't aware of any accidents or injuries as a result of the issue.

Some Vehicles Recalled For Same Problem Last Year

This isn't Ford's first recall for these block heaters. Last October, it issued recall 25V685, which applied to 59,006 2016-2018 and 2020-2023 Explorers, 2021-2024 Broncos, as well as Ford Maverick pickups and Escape crossovers.

Ford says it first learned of a potential problem in early 2025. Over the next several months, it reviewed supplier quality records to ensure the heaters had been built as designed. Tests run by Ford and supplier Phillips and Temro Industries discovered the potential for coolant to seep into the power cord pocket, leading to the short circuits.

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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.