Ford Launches Two Major Safety Recalls Affecting Nearly 1.5 Million Vehicles Across the U.S.

The American automaker has announced two major recall campaigns that together impact almost one and a half million vehicles in the U.S. Owners of several popular models will need to visit dealerships to fix potentially dangerous defects. The issues are serious — ranging from electronic malfunctions to a real risk of engine fires.

The first and largest recall involves malfunctioning rearview cameras. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than one million vehicles may experience problems when reversing: the camera image can freeze, distort, or disappear entirely, significantly reducing rear visibility and increasing the risk of a collision. Ford has faced similar issues before — the company ran comparable recalls last fall. Models affected include the 2015–2019 Flex, Explorer, Lincoln MKT, and MKZ, as well as various model years of the C-Max, Escape, Taurus, Fusion, and Fiesta. Dealerships will inspect the vehicles and replace faulty camera modules free of charge if necessary.

The second recall, while smaller in scope — about 60,000 vehicles — poses a more serious safety threat. The problem involves a defect in the engine block heater that can lead to a fire risk. Engineers found that coolant may leak through the heater’s electrical components, potentially causing a short circuit and ignition, especially if the vehicle is plugged into a household outlet without a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). The recall affects several models produced between 2016 and 2024, including the Bronco and Bronco Sport SUVs, Escape and Explorer crossovers, Maverick and Ranger pickups, as well as the Fusion sedan and Lincoln’s Corsair and MKC luxury models.

Ford has already received reports of incidents linked to the defect. At least 46 fires have been documented — most in Canada, where colder weather makes engine heaters more commonly used. The company has also received six customer complaints, 30 legal claims, and over 20 official notices from Canadian transportation authorities. Owners of affected vehicles are strongly urged to schedule an inspection and necessary repairs as soon as possible.