Ford and Lincoln recall 116,000 cars due to fires

An electrical defect associated with the engine block heater led Ford and Lincoln to recall more than 116,000 cars in the US, right in the middle of the extreme cold season

Ford y Lincoln llaman a revisin 116000 autos por incendios

Maharanee Kumari
Sat, Jan 24 2026 03:29:22 UTC

Time to Read 8 Min

During the harshest winters in the United States, many drivers rely on a small, almost invisible device: the engine block heater.

Its function is simple But Vitally, it prevents the oil from thickening and the metal components from being damaged when starting in sub-zero temperatures. However, that same component has now become the focus of a safety alert involving more than 116,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles.

The beginning of 2026 marked the first massive recall of the year for Ford Motor Company, which, along with its luxury brand, acknowledged a technical problem with potentially serious consequences. The defect, identified in popular models of both brands, can cause short circuits and, in certain scenarios, fires when the vehicle is connected to the domestic electrical grid. The situation is especially critical because millions of drivers live in regions where winter temperatures force them to use these types of auxiliary mechanical heating systems for weeks or even months at a time. A small component with a big risk. According to regulatory reports filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem is located in the engine block heater, an electrical accessory installed to maintain a minimum engine temperature when the vehicle is parked in extremely cold environments. Internal Ford investigations determined that, over time, certain internal solder joints of the heater can crack. This degradation allows engine coolant to leak into the electrical component. As the coolant evaporates, it leaves behind highly conductive residue that facilitates short circuits. The greatest danger arises when the car is plugged into a standard 110-volt outlet, especially if it lacks ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection. In this scenario, the combination of moisture, conductive debris, and electricity can cause sparks, overheating, and even fire. Authorities clarified that the risk only occurs when the heater is plugged in,which explains why the problem is concentrated in regions where this practice is common during the winter. Affected Models and Scope of the Recall: The recall covers exactly 116,672 vehicles manufactured in various years and distributed as follows. This figure is in addition to 2,633 block heaters sold separately as official replacement parts or accessories. These parts correspond to part numbers CV6Z-6A051-CA and CV6Z-6A051-AA, manufactured between 2011 and 2026, which broadens the potential impact of the problem to include vehicles that may have received the component after its original production. The recall is primarily concentrated in northern and midwestern states of the United States, such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Colorado, and North Dakota, where the use of the engine block heater is common practice for much of the year. According to recent estimates, nearly 80% of the US population currently lives in areas with extreme winter temperatures, which makes the warning even more relevant. Warning Signs Not to Be Ignored: Ford and the NHTSA have identified a number of early symptoms that could indicate a problem with the engine block heater. While these signs do not guarantee a fire will occur, they are directly related to the Technical defect that prompted the recall. Detecting them early can prevent severe vehicle damage or more dangerous situations.

Reported Incidents and Immediate Measures

To date, Ford has confirmed at least 12 reports of fires linked to the problem, all in Ford Escape units equipped with a 2.0-liter engine.

Authorities indicated that no injuries or accidents have resulted from these incidents, although significant property damage and serious damage to several vehicles have been reported. reported.