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Ford recalls over 119,000 U.S. vehicles over engine block heater fire risk, NHTSA says

By Thomson Reuters Jan 21, 2026 | 2:20 AM

Jan 21 (Reuters) – Ford Motor is recalling 119,075 vehicles in ‍the U.S. as the engine block heater may crack and leak coolant, potentially ‌causing a short ‌circuit and increasing the risk of a fire when the heater is plugged ​in, the National Highway Traffic ‍Safety Administration ​said on Wednesday.

The ​recall includes certain Focus, ‍Escape, Explorer and Lincoln MKC vehicles, the agency said.

Owners are advised not to ‍plug in their block heaters until the vehicles are ‍repaired, ‍NHTSA said, ​adding that dealers ​will ⁠replace the block ‌heaters free of charge.

(Reporting by Bipasha Dey in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala and Sonia ⁠Cheema)