Massive Ford Recall Could Leave Some Dubuque Drivers Stranded in the Cold

Right when the temperatures plummet to an unbearable chilly extreme, the tools that are supposed to help in these conditions ruin your vehicle instead! That seems to be the case with the latest recall from Ford, which could be leaving Tri-Staters stranded right when they need this vehicle feature most.

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According to information straight from NHTSA.gov, Ford has issued multiple recalls involving engine block heaters, a cold-weather lifeline for us Midwest drivers. Unfortunately, that lifeline may be doing more harm than actual good. The issue? Certain engine block heaters can crack, leak coolant, and short-circuit when plugged in. This combination significantly increases the risk of an engine fire. Not exactly the kind of "warm" you want for your vehicle during a Dubuque deep freeze.

The largest of the recalls impacts more than 116,000 vehicles nationwide, including 2013–2018 Ford Focus, 2013–2019 Ford Escape, and 2015–2016 Lincoln MKC models equipped with a 2.0-liter engine. In addition, smaller recalls cover 2016–2018 Focus, 2019 and 2024 Ford Explorers, as well as accessory engine block heaters sold separately for certain Ford and Lincoln vehicles dating back to 2013. Translation: even if your car didn’t come with a block heater from the factory, your car may not be in the clear.

Federal regulators warn that if the heater cracks and leaks coolant, it can trigger an electrical short once plugged in. That short circuit can then lead to a fire. As of now, owners are being told not to plug in their block heaters under any circumstances until a fix is in place. Which really sucks if you own one of these Fords, since it is so extremely cold out. It's kind of a darn if you do, darned if you don't. If your vehicle's engine is not warm, it may not start; however, you're warming the block at the risk of an engine fire: what a conundrum.

Ford plans to notify any recalled vehicle owners by February 13th, 2026, with follow-up letters expected around April 2026 once redesigned block heaters are available for installation. At least the repairs and replacements will be done free of charge. The bad news is that help can’t come soon enough for drivers staring down another brutal weekend in Iowa.

If you notice coolant puddles, a loss of cabin heat, overheating, warning lights, or any strange burning smells, it’s probably time to stop driving and start checking your VIN on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. Because in Dubuque, the only thing worse than the cold is a car that strands you in it.