Recall 26V239 covers 55 2025-2026 Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles for block-heater overheating. Do not plug it in. Free Ford dealer repair once available.
Ford is recalling 55 2025-2026 Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles equipped with a 1.5L or 2.0L MPC engine and an engine block heater because the heater can overheat while the vehicle is parked and plugged in. An overheated block heater can raise the risk of a fire, and the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The engine block heater on affected 2025-2026 Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles is an electric heating element installed in the engine block. When the vehicle is parked and the heater is plugged in, it warms the engine coolant and block so the engine starts more easily in cold weather. It is supposed to heat coolant, not the surrounding connector or block hardware.
On these vehicles, the heater element, its position in the 1.5L or 2.0L MPC engine block, and the installation angle allow coolant vapor or air to sit around the heating element. That pocket does not carry heat away like liquid coolant does. With the block heater plugged in, the element overheats and heat damage can reach the electrical connector.
Owners can see coolant leaking under the vehicle. The check engine light can turn on, cabin heat can feel weak because coolant is low, and the connector at the block heater can show heat damage.
Who's affected?
Covers Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles across the 2025 and 2026 model years, both tied to the same engine block heater part.
| 2026 Ford Bronco Sport | Engine block heater |
|---|---|
| 2026 Ford Bronco Sport | electrical system |
| 2025 Ford Maverick | Engine block heater |
| 2025 Ford Maverick | electrical system |
| Units affected | 55 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
An overheated engine block heater increases the risk of a fire. Leave the block heater unplugged until the repair is complete. Watch for coolant leaking under the vehicle, a check engine light, poor heater performance, or heat damage at the block heater connector. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025-2026 Ford Bronco Sport or Maverick is included in this recall.
- Do not plug in the engine block heater until the repair is complete.
- Watch for Ford's follow-up remedy letter before scheduling the free repair.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer after Ford opens the remedy to schedule the block-heater repair that addresses the overheating risk.
- Bring the Ford notice if you have it, and reference recall number 26V239 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Until the final repair opens, do not plug in the block heater. Once available, a Ford technician will replace the block heater, inspect the electrical cord, and replace the cord when inspection shows it needs replacement. Ford also lists an alternate repair: replacing the engine block heater element with a threaded plug and removing the block heater electrical cord. The final dealer repair will be free once available. Ford's standard reimbursement plan covers documented out of pocket costs tied to this repair. Bring repair paperwork to the service desk if you already paid for related work before the recall notice.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 14, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 14, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| April 14, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 14, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 27, 2026 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V239?
Recall 26V239 covers 55 2025-2026 Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles with an engine block heater that can overheat when plugged in while parked. The fire risk applies to included vehicles equipped with the listed block heater. Ford will repair the issue for free.
What should I do if my 2025-2026 Ford Bronco Sport or Maverick is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in recall 26V239. If it is, do not plug in the block heater until Ford completes the remedy. Contact a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall 26V239 or Ford recall number 25S52.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost. Ford dealers will replace the block heater, inspect and replace the electrical cord if needed, or perform Ford's alternative block-heater removal option for free.
Is it safe to use the block heater before the repair?
No. Ford tells owners not to plug in the block heater until the vehicle is remedied. The vehicle is not marked do not drive, but the block heater should stay unplugged because overheating while parked can increase the risk of a fire.
When will Ford notify owners about recall 26V239?
Ford mailed interim owner letters on April 27, 2026, to explain the safety risk. Ford says additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in June 2026. VINs became searchable for this recall on April 14, 2026.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V239000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V239 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V239000 |
Source documents
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 →