Ford Motor Company has issued an urgent recall covering 59,006 vehicles in the United States due to a serious fire risk involving the engine block heater.
The recall, documented under NHTSA Campaign 25V-685, reveals that approximately 1% of the recalled vehicles (or roughly 590 units) may contain a defect that allows engine coolant to leak into the heater’s electrical elements, potentially causing a short circuit and underhood fire while the vehicle is parked and plugged in.
Ford has received 46 fire reports linked to the issue. Although most occurred in Canada, U.S. owners of affected vehicles are urged to disconnect their block heaters immediately and avoid plugging them in until the recall repair is completed.
| Recall Information | Details |
| Issue | Engine block heater can leak coolant through element pins, causing corrosion and a resistive short circuit that may lead to an underhood fire while plugged in. |
| Recall Scope | 59,006 vehicles; estimated 1% defective (approx. 590 units). |
| NHTSA Campaign | 25V-685 |
| Manufacturer Campaign | 25SA4 |
| Recall Solution | Replace the affected block heater with a redesigned unit free of charge. Owners are advised not to use the heater until repairs are completed. |
| Contact Number | Ford Customer Service: 1-866-436-7332 |
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Ford Engine Block Heater Recall Cause
According to Ford’s report to the NHTSA, the engine block heater’s solder joints can develop cracks, allowing engine coolant to enter the electrical connector between the heater and its power cord.
When the coolant dries, salt and mineral deposits may remain, forming a conductive bridge that leads to corrosion and resistive short-circuiting.
This fault can cause excessive heat buildup and, under certain conditions—especially when plugged into a 120-volt outlet without ground-fault protection (GFCI)—may ignite surrounding materials, resulting in an underhood fire. The hazard exists only when the block heater is in use.
Vehicles Included in the Engine Block Heater Recall
The following models are included in the recall:
- 2016-2018; 2020-2023 Ford Explorer
- 2021-2024 Ford Bronco
- 2022-2024 Ford Maverick
- 2019-2024 Ford Ranger
- 2020-2022 Ford Escape
- 2021-2024 Ford Bronco Sport
- 2019-2020 Ford Fusion
- 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair
- 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC
Owners of these models should verify their VIN and take action as described below.
Dangers Associated with the Engine Block Heater Defect
The condition may cause heat damage and, in some cases, a fire risk when the heater is in use.
According to Ford’s recall filing, customers may notice any of the following warning signs:
- Coolant spots on the driveway or garage floor
- Loss of cabin heat
- Powertrain overheating
- Low-coolant warning indicator
- Heat damage to block-heater wiring or connector
- Odor or smoke from the engine compartment
Affected owners should stop using the block heater immediately until they’ve had the recall performed.
Ford’s Fix for the Engine Block Heater Problem
Ford’s long-term remedy will involve replacing the existing block heater with a newly designed component that eliminates the potential for coolant intrusion, though the final repair is not yet available.
Ford is working with its supplier to develop the improved part and will notify owners as soon as replacement components are ready.
Repairs will be free of charge, and owners should not plug in the block heater until they have received the final repair notice, and the work has been completed.
Next Steps for Affected Ford Owners
- Confirm Your Recall Status: Visit NHTSA.gov/recalls and enter your VIN to verify whether your vehicle is included in Campaign 25V-685 / Ford 25SA4.
- Wait for Your Recall Notification Letter: Ford will send an interim letter in late 2025 explaining the issue and instructing you not to use the block heater. A second letter in early 2026 will confirm when the redesigned parts are available and repairs can be scheduled.
- Do Not Plug in the Block Heater: Ford specifically instructs owners to avoid using the heater until the recall repair is performed.
- Schedule Your Repair Once Notified: After receiving the final letter, contact your local Ford dealer to book the inspection and replacement.
- Take Your Vehicle for the Recall Repair: Make sure to take your vehicle in to an authorized Ford dealership or repair center for the scheduled recall repair.
- Monitor for Symptoms: After the repair has been performed, watch for any additional coolant leakage, loss of heat, overheating, low-coolant warnings, or any smoke or odor. Report these symptoms to your dealer and retain copies of all service records.
- Consult a Lemon Law Attorney if Problems Persist: If your vehicle continues to show electrical or heating issues after the recall repair, or if your car remains out of service for an extended period, you may be entitled to relief under state or federal lemon laws.
Unfortunately, repairs don’t always solve the problem, and issues can persist. When a vehicle continues having a problem even after repairs, it may be deemed a lemon under your state’s lemon law.
That allows you to bring a lemon lawsuit, which is often best done with the assistance of a skilled lemon law attorney.
Having that assistance in your corner makes it more likely that you will obtain a favorable settlement; of course, every lawsuit is different, and individual facts ultimately determine the outcome of a case. Here are some examples of potential lemon law settlements:
| Affected Vehicle | Average Settlement |
| Ford Explorer | $79,139 |
| Ford Bronco | $81,705 |
| Ford Maverick | $44,424 |
| Ford Ranger | $56,085 |
| Ford Escape | $50,151 |
| Ford Bronco Sport | $58,291 |
| Ford Fusion | $51,100 |
| Lincoln Corsair | $73,492 |
*Please note, the figures presented in the chart are approximations based on past case results and should not be interpreted as a prediction or guarantee. Each case is unique and requires personalized legal guidance.
Get a Free Ford Lemon Law Consultation Today
If you own a Ford or Lincoln vehicle affected by Recall 25V-685 and continue to experience electrical or heater-related issues, you may be protected under your state’s lemon law.
The lemon law, like any other law, can be complex and nuanced to properly understand and use.
Having the assistance of a skilled lemon law attorney by your side can make the process less stressful and smoother overall.
At the Lemon Law Experts, our team of attorneys would love to work with you and assist you with bringing your claim.
Contact us today by calling (877) 885-5366 or by filling out a contact form on our website here. We hope to hear from you soon!
Citations
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Part 573 Safety Recall Report, U.S.
Department of Transportation. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V685-7473.pdf. Accessed October 20, 2025.
