Ford Mix-Up Leads to Second Recall: Thousands of E-Series Vans Went Five Years Without the Promised Fix

Ford has announced a second recall affecting 7,046 E-Series vans built between May 2019 and November 2020. The issue stems from the fact that some vehicles never received a software update intended to prevent engine-compartment components from overheating. The heat buildup can affect the area beneath the front seats, raising the risk of skin burns for the driver or front passenger.

The original recall was launched in December 2020. Dealers were supposed to recalibrate the powertrain control system to reduce heat accumulation during extended idling. But an internal audit later showed that only about 69.7% of the vans actually received the fix — the rest were mistakenly marked as completed.

Ford says there have been no reports of injuries or damage linked to the overheating problem so far. Owners will receive recall notices between January 5 and January 9, 2026. Dealers will install the required software update at no charge, which Ford says should fully resolve the issue.