OTTAWA, January 18, 2026, 01:05 EST
- The Transport Canada recall database shows two Ford-led campaigns affecting 332,410 vehicles
- The problem centers on a plug-in engine block heater that may leak coolant and cause a short circuit
- Owners have been instructed to cease using the heater until dealers install the replacement part
Transport Canada flagged two safety recalls affecting 332,410 Ford and Lincoln vehicles across Canada. The agency warned that an engine block heater might leak coolant and risk short-circuiting when plugged in, potentially causing a fire, according to a government recall database. (Transport Canada)
The notices come right in the heart of winter, when drivers depend on engine block heaters — those plug-in devices that heat the engine for easier starts in cold conditions. Recalls linked to this gear can escalate quickly since people use them every day but unplug them at night.
The broader campaign, Transport Canada recall 2026-004, involves 193,627 vehicles. This includes select 2013-2019 Ford Escape SUVs, 2013-2018 Ford Focus cars, and 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC models. The recall targets only vehicles fitted with a 2.0-litre engine. (Recalls and Safety Alerts)
A second recall, labeled 2026-005, impacts 138,783 vehicles spanning newer, larger models. This includes Ford Explorer SUVs from 2016 to 2024, Ranger pickups from 2019 to 2024, and Bronco and Bronco Sport models from 2021 to 2024. Additionally, it covers Ford Maverick pickups from 2022 through 2024 and Lincoln Corsair vehicles from 2020 to 2022. (Recalls and Safety Alerts)
In both recalls, the agency flagged a risk that the engine block heater might leak coolant. Such a leak could cause the heater to short-circuit when plugged in, it warned.
Ford has advised owners to avoid using the engine block heater until the recall repairs have been carried out, the recall notice states. The company will mail notifications to owners and instruct them to visit dealerships for the block heater replacement. (Recalls and Safety Alerts)
Timing remains uncertain. Owners might have to book dealer appointments, and parts availability could become a bottleneck—especially if a cold snap triggers a flood of service requests simultaneously.
The notice said the 2026-005 recall supersedes an earlier Transport Canada recall. It added that vehicles fixed under the previous campaign won’t require the new repair.
Ford issued the two campaigns under different manufacturer recall numbers, 26S01 and 25SA4, according to the Transport Canada database. Both were initially dated January 9, with updates coming on January 15.
Ford’s Canadian site allows owners to verify recall status by entering their vehicle identification number (VIN). (Ford)
