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Ford recall 26S01, filed with NHTSA as recall 26V011, covers 116,672 potentially affected U.S. vehicles: certain 2013–2018 Ford Focus, 2013–2019 Ford Escape, and 2015–2016 Lincoln MKC models equipped with a 2.0L engine. This is a potentially involved population, not a count of confirmed defective heaters or fires. If your vehicle may be included, check its VIN with Ford or a Ford/Lincoln dealer, and do not plug in the block heater until the vehicle is remedied.
Which vehicles may be affected?
Ford’s filing identifies certain vehicles in these lines and model years, all equipped with a 2.0L engine. Model year and model alone cannot confirm coverage; the vehicles were not produced in VIN order.
| Vehicle | Model years listed | Potentially involved units |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Focus | 2013–2018 | 49,080 |
| Ford Escape | 2013–2019 | 65,683 |
| Lincoln MKC | 2015–2016 | 1,909 |
The counts and total of 116,672 potentially involved vehicles come from Ford Motor Company’s 2026 filing to NHTSA, acknowledged by NHTSA on January 20, 2026. They do not indicate how many heaters have failed.
What is the defect?
Ford’s filing says the engine block heater may overheat and develop a coolant leak through its element pins. Coolant can reach the heater-to-cord interface; conductive residue or corrosion there can contribute to a resistive short when the heater is energized. A short can increase the risk of an underhood fire.
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The filing says the risk exists when the heater is plugged in and is increased when it is connected to a 110-volt supply without functional circuit protection or a GFCI outlet. That does not change the owner instruction: do not plug in the heater until the vehicle is remedied, even if a GFCI outlet is available.
Possible indicators listed in Ford’s filing include coolant spots on a driveway or garage floor, loss of cabin heat, powertrain overheating, a low-coolant warning, heat damage to wiring or the connector, and odor or smoke. These signs are not proof of recall coverage, and their absence does not mean a vehicle is unaffected.
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What owners should do
- Do not plug in the block heater. NHTSA’s January 20, 2026 acknowledgement states: “Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied.”
- Check your VIN. Contact Ford or a Ford/Lincoln dealer for vehicle-specific confirmation and current service instructions. NHTSA’s acknowledgement says involved VINs became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
- Arrange the recall repair if your vehicle is included. The filed remedy is free replacement of the heater by a dealer. Contact the dealer to confirm current appointment and parts availability; planned notification dates in Ford’s filing do not establish current availability or any individual vehicle’s repair status.
- Confirm completion for your vehicle. Ask Ford or the dealer to verify the VIN’s recall status after service. Do not use a generic replacement part or attempt a consumer-installed repair in place of the vehicle-specific recall remedy.
Ford’s filing identified heater part numbers CV6T-6A051-AA, CV6T-6A051-BA, and CV6T-6A051-CA. These are background identifiers, not a parts recommendation. Ford stated in its filing that it was not aware of accident or injury reports related to the condition at that time; that dated statement does not establish whether later reports exist.
Keep related recalls separate
This article covers the U.S. Ford 26S01 / NHTSA 26V011 recall. NHTSA campaign 26V012 / Ford 25SA4 is a separate block-heater filing with a different vehicle scope. Transport Canada recall 2026005 is a Canadian record with its own listed vehicles and remedy. Do not use those campaigns’ populations or instructions to determine whether a U.S. vehicle is included in 26V011; check the VIN with Ford or a Ford/Lincoln dealer.
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FAQ
Does my Ford Escape have the block heater recall?
Certain 2013–2019 Ford Escape vehicles with a 2.0L engine are potentially involved. Check your VIN with Ford or a Ford/Lincoln dealer; model and year alone cannot confirm coverage.
Is my Ford Focus included in recall 26S01?
Certain 2013–2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L engine are potentially involved. Use your VIN to confirm whether this specific recall applies.
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Can I use my block heater before the recall repair?
No. NHTSA’s acknowledgement advises owners not to plug in the block heater until the vehicle is remedied.
How do I check my VIN?
Contact Ford or a Ford/Lincoln dealer for VIN-specific confirmation and current instructions. NHTSA’s acknowledgement says involved VINs became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
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What does the repair involve, and is it free?
The filed remedy is dealer replacement of the heater at no charge. Contact the dealer for current appointment and parts availability, and confirm completion for your VIN after service.
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