Ford Recalls 119K US Vehicles to Fix Engine Block Heater Defect

Core Insights - Ford Motor Company has issued a recall for 119,075 vehicles in the U.S. due to a potential defect in the engine block heater, which may crack and leak coolant, increasing the risk of fire when connected to a power source [1][7] Group 1: Recall Details - The recall affects select 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles, along with certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC models [2] - Vehicle owners are advised to refrain from using the block heater until repairs are completed, with dealers set to replace the faulty heaters at no cost [2] Group 2: Industry Context - In 2025, Ford recorded the highest number of recalls among automakers, totaling 152, indicating ongoing quality issues across multiple model lines [3][7] - In December, Ford also recalled over 272,000 hybrid and electric vehicles due to a software issue affecting the Integrated Parking Module, which could lead to vehicles rolling away [4]