2021-2023 Ford Explorer Engine Block Heater Recall (25V685)

Recall 25V685 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021-2023 Ford Explorer in recall 25V685?

The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Is it safe to drive a 2021-2023 Explorer with recall 25V685?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Explorer shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the engine block heater, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 25V685?

Recall 25V685 covers 59,006 vehicles: 2021-2024 Ford Bronco; 2021-2024 Ford Bronco Sport; 2021-2022 Ford Escape; 2021-2023 Ford Explorer; 2022-2024 Ford Maverick; 2021-2024 Ford Ranger; 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair.

NHTSA lists 59,006 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Explorer engine block heater recall?

Yes. Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied.

Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

When was recall 25V685 announced?

Ford Motor Company reported recall 25V685 to NHTSA on October 10, 2025.

This recall was filed 11 months ago. If your Explorer was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my Explorer is part of recall 25V685?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 25V685 is open on your Explorer, it will be listed there.

The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021-2023 Explorer vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.

What should Explorer owners do about recall 25V685?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 25V685000 applies to your Explorer.
2. Call a Ford dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Keep a simple log of any engine block heater symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are Explorer owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 4,239 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 719 of them about the engine.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 4,239 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 719 of them involve the engine. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Ford Bronco Sport: 696 complaints in total, 168 about the engine
• 2021 Ford Explorer: 430 complaints in total, 53 about the engine
• 2022 Ford Bronco: 376 complaints in total, 53 about the engine
• 2022 Ford Bronco Sport: 358 complaints in total, 86 about the engine
• 2021 Ford Escape: 348 complaints in total, 47 about the engine
• 2022 Ford Explorer: 267 complaints in total, 31 about the engine
• 2022 Ford Escape: 232 complaints in total, 36 about the engine
• 2021 Ford Bronco: 229 complaints in total, 73 about the engine

Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):

When I change gears to reverse, it’s hard to put in gear and studders as well. I am not sure what the issue here is with it.

2021 Ford Escape owner, MD, NHTSA complaint 11652947, filed April 5, 2025

Vehicle will completely cut off when stopped at lights sometimes. And I have to turn off vehicle and restart it to get vehicle going again.

2021 Ford Escape owner, NC, NHTSA complaint 11657127, filed April 28, 2025

Lithia ford is Fresno worked on exhaust and replaced cat converter on September 5th 2024 for the dealer in which I purchased my vehicle. Ford did not put the support bracket that holds the exhaust and catalytic converter in place back on after the repair.

2021 Ford Escape owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11657336, filed April 28, 2025

Can recall 25V685 make my Explorer a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

Recall 25V685000 does not automatically make your Explorer a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?

An engine problem that leaves you stranded, or that keeps lighting up the check engine light after a repair, is the kind of defect that can substantially impair a vehicle's use, value or safety.

This is not the first recall for this problem. When a manufacturer has to recall the same engine block heater again, that suggests the earlier fix did not work. If your 2021-2023 Ford Explorer has had this repair more than once, keep every repair order.

Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 25V343000.

California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 25V685