Recall 25V685 covers 59,006 2016-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles for block heaters that short. Do not plug it in. Free repair once Ford opens it.
Ford is recalling 59,006 2016-2024 Ranger, Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Escape, Fusion, Maverick, Corsair, and Mkc vehicles because the engine block heater can crack and leak coolant. When the block heater is plugged in, the leak can cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of a fire; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The engine block heater on affected 2016-2024 Ford vehicles is an electric heating element installed where it can warm the engine coolant. When plugged into outlet power, it helps the engine start in cold weather by adding heat before the engine is running. The cord connection has to stay dry and insulated from coolant.
In this recall, solder joints around the heater element pins develop cracks near the base of the element. Coolant enters the pocket where the power cord connects to the heater. As that coolant dries, it leaves conductive salt deposits or corrodes electrical connections. That creates a path to ground and a resistive short circuit when the heater is plugged in.
Owners can notice coolant spots on the driveway or garage floor, loss of cabin heat, engine overheating, or a low coolant warning indicator. Heat damage to the block heater wiring or connector can also cause an odor or smoke.
Who's affected?
Spans 9 Ford and Lincoln models across the 2016-2024 model years, all using the same engine block heater.
| 2020 Ford Ranger | Engine block heater |
|---|---|
| 2019 Ford Fusion | Engine block heater |
| 2020 Ford Fusion | Engine block heater |
| 2020 Lincoln Corsair | Engine block heater |
| 2021 Lincoln Corsair | Engine block heater |
| 2022 Lincoln Corsair | Engine block heater |
| 2016 Lincoln Mkc | Engine block heater |
| 2017 Lincoln Mkc | Engine block heater |
| 2018 Lincoln Mkc | Engine block heater |
| 2017 Ford Explorer | Engine block heater |
| 2018 Ford Explorer | Engine block heater |
| 2020 Ford Explorer | Engine block heater |
| 2021 Ford Explorer | Engine block heater |
| 2022 Ford Explorer | Engine block heater |
| 2023 Ford Explorer | Engine block heater |
| 2022 Ford Maverick | Engine block heater |
| 2023 Ford Maverick | Engine block heater |
| 2024 Ford Maverick | Engine block heater |
| 2019 Ford Ranger | Engine block heater |
| 2021 Ford Ranger | Engine block heater |
| 2022 Ford Ranger | Engine block heater |
| 2023 Ford Ranger | Engine block heater |
| 2024 Ford Ranger | Engine block heater |
| 2021 Ford Bronco | Engine block heater |
| 2022 Ford Bronco | Engine block heater |
| 2023 Ford Bronco | Engine block heater |
| 2024 Ford Bronco | Engine block heater |
| 2021 Ford Bronco Sport | Engine block heater |
| 2022 Ford Bronco Sport | Engine block heater |
| 2023 Ford Bronco Sport | Engine block heater |
| 2024 Ford Bronco Sport | Engine block heater |
| 2019 Lincoln Mkc | Engine block heater |
| 2020 Ford Escape | Engine block heater |
| 2021 Ford Escape | Engine block heater |
| 2022 Ford Escape | Engine block heater |
| 2016 Ford Explorer | Engine block heater |
| Units affected | 59,006 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A block heater short circuit increases the risk of a fire. Do not plug in the block heater until the repair is complete. Watch for coolant spots, loss of cabin heat, overheating, a low coolant warning, odor, or smoke, and contact a Ford dealer if any appears. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2024 Ford vehicle is included in this recall.
- Wait for Ford's final remedy letter before scheduling the block-heater replacement.
- Do not plug in the block heater until the vehicle is repaired.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer once Ford opens the free block-heater replacement that fixes the coolant leak and short-circuit risk.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions and reference recall number 25V685.
What happens at the repair
Because the final remedy is not open yet, do not plug in the block heater until Ford completes the repair. Ford says the final remedy is anticipated in September 2026. Once it opens, a Ford technician will replace the engine block heater at no charge. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Ford uses its general reimbursement plan for owners who already paid for a related block heater repair before the recall notice. Keep repair orders and payment records, and ask Ford customer service or the dealer how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 10, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 15, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| October 15, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 15, 2025 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| October 15, 2025 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V685?
Recall 25V685 covers 59,006 2016-2024 Ford vehicles with engine block heaters that can crack, leak coolant, and short circuit when plugged in. An electrical short circuit can increase fire risk. Ford dealers will replace the block heater free of charge once the final remedy opens.
What should I do if my 2016-2024 Ford Ranger, Fusion, Corsair, Mkc, Explorer, Maverick, Bronco, Bronco Sport, or Escape is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 25V685. If it is, do not plug in the block heater until the vehicle is repaired. Contact a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall number 25V685 or Ford recall number 25SA4.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. Ford dealers will replace the affected engine block heater free of charge once the final remedy opens, and Ford will send additional owner letters when the repair is ready.
Is it safe to use the engine block heater before the repair?
No. Ford tells owners not to plug in the block heater until the vehicle is remedied. The concern is a cracked block heater that leaks coolant and short circuits when plugged in, increasing fire risk. Driving guidance is separate from that block-heater-use warning.
When will Ford notify owners about recall 25V685?
Ford mailed interim owner letters on December 3, 2025, to warn owners about the safety risk. Ford expects to send additional letters when the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. You can still check your VIN now and call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V685000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V685 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V685000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →