Ford Recalls 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC and Explorer for Fire Risk
Ford is recalling 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles because engine block heaters may overheat and cause a fire.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (engine block heater) that creates a risk of fire, which aligns with the rubric criteria for a Severe (4) rating involving significant injury or property-damage reports or structural defects.
Plain-English summary
Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC vehicles and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with 2.3L GTDI engines and engine block heaters. The recall covers Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured between November 25, 2013, and January 25, 2016, and Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured between October 20, 2014, and January 28, 2016.
The engine block heaters in these vehicles have elements that may overheat while plugged in. This overheating increases the risk of a fire. No specific number of affected units is provided in the source text.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine block heater free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and replace the electrical cord as necessary. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Owners should not use the engine block heater until the vehicle has been remedied. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- LINCOLN, FORD MKC, EXPLORER
- Brand
- LINCOLN
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Category
- Vehicle — SUV / Crossover
- Hazard
- Affected units
- 1,543
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (2)
- MKC
- EXPLORER
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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