Recall 26V091 affects 25,191 2022-2026 Ford Escape PHEV and Lincoln Corsair PHEV vehicles for battery shorts. Use Auto EV mode and 80% charge until Ford's free repair opens.
Ford is recalling 25,191 2022-2026 Escape PHEV and Corsair PHEV vehicles because a high-voltage battery cell manufacturing defect can create an internal short circuit and battery failure. Battery failure can cause loss of drive power and raise crash and fire risk, and the dealer repair will be free once Ford makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The high voltage battery pack in 2022-2026 Ford Escape PHEV and Corsair PHEV vehicles stores the energy used by the plug-in hybrid drive system. It sends high-voltage power to the propulsion system so the vehicle can drive on electric power or blend electric power with the gasoline engine.
On affected vehicles, some battery cells were built with separator damage from the supplier's production process. The separator is the thin layer that keeps the cathode and anode apart inside the cell. When that layer is damaged, the cell can short internally, fail, and vent heat from the battery pack.
If the short happens while driving, the vehicle shuts down the propulsion system and displays a red "Stop Safely Now" message in the instrument cluster. That message is the warning sign for this defect.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2022-2026 Ford Escape PHEV and 2023-2026 Lincoln Corsair PHEV, all using the same high-voltage traction battery.
| 2026 Ford Escape PHEV | high-voltage traction battery |
|---|---|
| 2022 Ford Escape PHEV | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2023 Lincoln Corsair PHEV | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2025 Ford Escape PHEV | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2024 Ford Escape PHEV | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2023 Ford Escape PHEV | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2026 Lincoln Corsair PHEV | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2025 Lincoln Corsair PHEV | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2024 Lincoln Corsair PHEV | high-voltage traction battery |
| Units affected | 25,191 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Battery failure can shut off drive power, increasing crash risk, and can increase fire risk. If the red "Stop Safely Now" message appears, pull over safely and call a dealer. Until the repair is complete, use Auto EV mode and limit charging to 80% battery capacity. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2022-2026 Ford Escape PHEV or Lincoln Corsair PHEV is included in this recall.
- Wait for Ford's final remedy letter before scheduling the free repair; the software fix is still under development.
- Use only Auto EV mode and limit charging to 80% battery capacity until the repair is complete.
- Contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions, and reference recall number 26V091 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Until Ford opens the final repair for recall 26V091, use only Auto EV mode and charge the vehicle to no more than 80% battery capacity. The exact dealer procedure is still under development. Once the final software remedy is available, a Ford technician will complete the repair free of charge under the recall. If you already paid for a related high voltage battery repair, ask Ford customer service or the service desk how to submit documentation under Ford's standard reimbursement plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 17, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 14, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 22, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| April 22, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 27, 2026 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V091?
Recall 26V091 covers 25,191 2022-2026 Ford Escape PHEV and Lincoln Corsair PHEV vehicles with high-voltage battery cells that can short internally and fail. Battery failure can cause loss of drive power or increase fire risk. Ford is still developing the final repair.
What should I do if my 2022-2026 Ford Escape PHEV or Lincoln Corsair PHEV is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 26V091. Until Ford completes the repair, use only Auto EV mode and charge the battery to a maximum of 80% capacity. Contact a franchised Ford dealer or Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 for guidance.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Ford will provide the final recall remedy for free once it is available. The current owner instructions are interim steps while Ford finishes the repair plan.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of drive power or fire from high-voltage battery failure. Ford's filing says an internal short circuit in one or more battery cells can cause the battery to fail. Follow the interim charging and Auto EV instructions until the repair is complete.
When were owners notified about recall 26V091?
Ford mailed interim owner letters on February 26, 2026. Those letters warned owners about the safety risk and gave instructions to limit battery charging. Ford will send additional letters once the final remedy is available.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V091000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V091 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V091000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 →