Ford and Lincoln have announced a major recall that impacts 116,672 vehicles that are linked with potentially faulty engine block heaters. The issues affect 65,683 Ford Escapes manufactured between 2013 and 2019, about 49,080 Ford Focuses ranging from the 2013 to 2018 year models, and 1,909 Lincoln MKC SUVs (2015 and 2016 models).
According to the document filled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem originates from a cracked solder joint inside the engine block heater, which allows engine coolant to leak through, reaching the heater’s connection or cord.
When the coolant evaporates, it leaves behind a salt residue that is electrically conductive, and over time it builds up, causing a short circuit or significantly increasing the risk of electrical fire. The fire risk is particularly high when the vehicle is plugged into a standard 110-volt power outlet that does not have a proper functioning circuit breaker or ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
To know if your vehicle is affected, the document highlights various observations to take keen note of, including visible coolant spots on the pavement, a drop in coolant levels, reduced cabin heating, engine overheating, unusual odors, or smoke. These symptoms could signal a developing problem with the block heater wiring.
Ford has confirmed that affected owners will be notified by mail beginning in February. The notification will include instructions on scheduling a visit to a local dealership, where technicians will replace the faulty engine block heater at no cost to the customer.
