NHTSA Campaign 26V012000
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Filed by Ford Motor Company.
NHTSA campaign 26V012000 covers 5 vehicles and concerns the equipment:electrical:engine block heater. The repair is free.
What this recall covers
- The 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.
- The risk
- An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicles covered by 26V012000 (5)
Is my car affected?
Being on this list means your year, make and model fall inside campaign 26V012000. It does not mean your individual car does: a campaign covers a range of VINs built in a specific window, and cars either side of that window are untouched.
Check the 17-character VIN from the driver-side dashboard or door jamb against NHTSA's lookup. If it is covered, the dealer must do the work free of charge, regardless of the car's age or mileage.