Ford Recalls Over 6,700 Vehicles for Engine Block Heater Fire Risk

Ford Motor Company has announced a recall affecting 6,781 vehicles from its Lincoln and Ford brands due to a potential fire risk associated with the engine block heater. The recall covers select models of the Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Nautilus, Ford Maverick, Ford Escape, and Ford Bronco Sport, all produced between mid-2022 and mid-2025. The issue centers on overheating of the engine block heater while the vehicle is parked and plugged in, posing a risk of an underhood fire.

The vehicles in question are equipped with 1.5L or 2.0L Modular Power Cylinder engines and a specific engine block heater model. According to Ford, the overheating stems from a combination of the heater’s design, its installation angle, and its packaging within the engine block, which can trap air or coolant vapor around the heating element. While no accidents, injuries, or fires have been reported, Ford has documented 120 warranty claims that may be connected to this defect.

Owners may notice warning signs such as engine coolant leakage beneath the vehicle, poor heater performance due to coolant loss, and a check engine light activation. In some instances, damage to the electrical connector on the engine block heater may also occur. Ford advises owners to avoid plugging in the block heater until the defect is remedied.

Ford plans to notify owners by mail beginning June 9, 2025, instructing them to bring their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer for a free replacement of the block heater with a redesigned unit and, if necessary, the electrical cord. However, the replacement parts are not expected to be available until the fourth quarter of 2025. The supplier of the original heater component is Phillips and Temro Industries, based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from Ford Motor Company and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration press release.

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