Overview
- The campaign covers select 2016–2024 Ford and Lincoln models including Bronco and Bronco Sport, Explorer, Ranger, Maverick, Escape, Fusion, Corsair, and MKC.
- Ford issued a stop-sale and told current owners to avoid using the heater until the unit is replaced at dealerships at no charge.
- As of September, the company had 46 reported vehicle fires, six customer complaints, 30 legal claims, and 21 reports to Transport Canada, with most incidents in Canada.
- Regulators say solder joints in the heater can crack and let coolant infiltrate the cord interface, leaving conductive salt deposits that can create a resistive short; the fundamental root cause remains undetermined.
- Owner notification letters are expected by October 24, and NHTSA notes the risk is heightened when plugged into a non-GFCI outlet, with possible warning signs including coolant spots, loss of heat, low coolant alerts, or smoke near the heater wiring.