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But the solution comes with a stunning catch.
Replacement parts will not be available until February 2026.
That leaves drivers in cold weather regions with an impossible decision. Either risk a vehicle fire or park their vehicle entirely during the harshest months of winter.
A Defect That Can Turn Cold Mornings Into Vehicle Fires
According to Ford, the issue stems from cracked solder joints inside the block heater assembly. Those cracks allow coolant to leak into the electrical system.
Once the coolant evaporates, it leaves behind salt residue that conducts electricity directly to ground. When the heater is plugged in, it can short circuit and ignite.
Ford has acknowledged 46 reports of fires linked to the defect.
Most of those incidents occurred in Canada, where block heaters are commonly installed as standard equipment due to extreme cold.
Recall Numbers Skyrocket When Canada Is Included
In the United States, Ford listed three separate recall campaigns covering 119,075 vehicles, including the 2013–2018 Focus, 2013–2019 Escape, and 2015–2016 Lincoln MKC.
The numbers grow dramatically when Canada is included.
An additional 332,410 vehicles north of the border are affected, spanning models such as the Bronco, Bronco Sport, Ranger, Maverick, Explorer, Fusion, and Lincoln Corsair.
Ford Wastes No Time Continuing Its Recall Spiral
This marks Ford’s first major recall of 2026, and it signals that last year’s problems are far from over.
In 2025 alone, Ford issued a jaw dropping 153 separate safety recalls, impacting nearly 13 million vehicles.
That number doubled the previous record of 77 recalls set by General Motors in 2014.
Ford recalled more vehicles than Stellantis, Honda, Forest River, GM, and five other manufacturers combined.
The financial impact has been massive. Warranty costs reached roughly $2 billion in just one quarter of 2024.
Ford Claims Recalls Prove “Progress”
Despite the chaos, Ford executives have attempted to spin the situation as a positive.
“The number of vehicles recalled reflects our intensive strategy to quickly find and fix hardware and software issues,” Ford claimed in October.
But critics are not buying it.
Roughly 40 of the 153 recalls last year involved software fixes that had to be reissued because the first attempt failed.
That is not aggressive quality control. It is proof of a company struggling to execute basic repairs.
Federal Regulators Step In
Ford’s recall problems have also drawn the attention of federal regulators.
In November 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hit Ford with a $165 million fine for delays related to defective rearview camera recalls.
Nineteen of Ford’s 2025 recalls involved camera issues alone.
Cold Weather Owners Pay the Price
For Ford owners living in cold climates, the timing of the block heater recall could not be worse.
Without functioning block heaters, cold starts can cause severe engine damage as oil thickens and metal components grind without proper lubrication.
Ford advised owners to watch for coolant leaks, loss of cabin heat, overheating warnings, smoke, or burning smells.
But many drivers will not realize there is a problem until they plug in the heater and risk igniting their vehicle.
Months of Waiting With No Real Options
Ford began mailing interim recall notices in October 2025, warning drivers not to use the heaters.
Final repair notices will not arrive until early February 2026.
That leaves owners with three months of winter exposure, forced to choose between parking their vehicles or risking catastrophic damage and potential fire.
Even more troubling, Ford identified the issue as early as January 2025 through its Critical Concern Review Group.
It took nine months to announce the recall and another five months to design replacement parts.
During that time, vehicles continued to catch fire and drivers remained unaware.
A Pattern, Not an Accident
The block heater recall is not an isolated mistake.
It is the latest example of a company that continues to cut corners, react slowly, and leave customers holding the bag.
Ford’s record breaking recall year was not about transparency or accountability.
It was about a manufacturer that still cannot build vehicles right the first time.
