Recall 25V789 covers 20,558 2020-2024 Lincoln Corsair PHEV and Escape PHEV vehicles for battery failure. Use Auto EV mode. Free repair once available.
Lincoln is recalling 20,558 2020-2024 Corsair PHEV and Escape PHEV vehicles under recall 25V789 because a manufacturing defect in high-voltage battery cells can cause an internal short circuit and battery failure. Battery failure can cut drive power and increase fire risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The high voltage battery pack in the 2020-2024 Corsair PHEV and Escape PHEV stores electricity for the plug-in hybrid drive system. It sends power to the electric propulsion system and works with the gasoline engine during normal driving. Inside the pack, individual battery cells separate positive and negative layers so the cell can hold and release energy safely.
On affected vehicles, a manufacturing defect in the battery cells can damage the separator layer between those positive and negative sides. When that layer is damaged, the cell can develop an internal short circuit. Ford has not fully determined the root cause for this recall, but the known failure path is separator damage tied to variation in the battery cell supplier's production process.
The warning sign described by Ford happens at the time of the short circuit. If it occurs while driving, the propulsion system will shut down and a red "Stop Safely Now" message will appear in the instrument cluster.
Who's affected?
Covers Corsair PHEV and Escape PHEV plug-in hybrid SUVs across the 2020-2024 model years, all tied to the high-voltage traction battery.
| 2024 Lincoln Corsair PHEV | high-voltage traction battery |
|---|---|
| 2021 Lincoln Corsair PHEV | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2020 Ford Escape PHEV | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2021 Ford Escape PHEV | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2022 Ford Escape PHEV | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2023 Ford Escape PHEV | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2024 Ford Escape PHEV | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2022 Lincoln Corsair PHEV | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2023 Lincoln Corsair PHEV | high-voltage traction battery |
| Units affected | 20,558 |
| 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 SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Battery failure can shut down drive power while you are driving, increasing the risk of a crash, and it can also increase the risk of a fire. If the red "Stop Safely Now" message appears, stop in a safe place and contact the dealer. Use Auto EV mode and follow Lincoln's charge limit instructions until the final remedy is ready. Repair will be free at any franchised Lincoln dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2024 Lincoln Corsair PHEV or Ford Escape PHEV is included in this recall.
- Use Auto EV mode only until the final battery remedy is complete.
- Limit the maximum battery charge as instructed in Ford's interim notice.
- Wait for the final remedy letter before scheduling the free repair with a franchised Lincoln dealer.
- Call Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions, and reference recall number 25V789 (Ford recall 25SC4) when you call.
What happens at the repair
Because the final remedy is still under development, the dealer repair is not open yet. Until it opens, use only Auto EV mode and follow the charge limit instructions from the owner letter mailed December 8, 2025. Once the final remedy is available, a Lincoln technician will complete the new remedy for the high voltage battery issue, free under the recall. Vehicles repaired under 24V954 still need this new recall remedy. If you already paid for a related repair, the manufacturer's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Keep repair paperwork for the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 14, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 18, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| November 18, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 18, 2025 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 1, 2025 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V789?
Recall 25V789 covers 20,558 2020-2024 Lincoln Corsair PHEV and Escape PHEV vehicles with high-voltage battery cells that can short internally and fail. Battery failure can cause loss of drive power and fire risk. The final dealer remedy is still under development.
What should I do if my 2020-2024 Lincoln Corsair PHEV or Escape PHEV is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 25V789. If it is, use Auto EV mode only and follow the mailed instruction to limit the battery's maximum charge until the final remedy is ready. Reference recall 25V789 or Ford number 25SC4 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost. The final remedy for recall 25V789 is still under development, and the dealer repair will be free once Lincoln opens the completed fix.
Is it safe to drive before the final remedy is ready?
The recall does not say to stop driving. For now, affected owners are told to use Auto EV mode only and limit the battery's maximum charge as instructed by mail. That interim step is meant to reduce risk until the final repair is available.
When were owners notified about recall 25V789?
Interim owner letters were mailed December 8, 2025. Those letters notified owners about the safety risk and gave instructions to limit the battery's maximum charge. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V789000 |
|---|---|
| Lincoln customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V789 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V789000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 →