Engine block heater recall

[airline tech]

They should completely drain and refill with new - for either temp or permanent repair - as the block heater in in a low point of the system on the block.

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[DukeCanBuildit]

They should completely drain and refill with new - for either temp or permanent repair - as the block heater in in a low point of the system on the block.

That would be great - radiator and all or just the block?

 

[airline tech]

Count on it being a top up but the dealer might give you a break on a drain and fill since they’re doing part of it, kinda - sorta.

I got my notice/update as well for the temporary plug fix until the real fix can be done, which I’m thinking will be NEVER. I can’t give up my truck for very long unless it’s urgent so I’m not doing the temporary step and will monitor for leaks until the fix is in place.

Has anybody heard from Ford if failure of the block heater resulting in the leak is from actually using the block heater or if it’s just simply a poorly sealed part that can’t handle the heat and pressure of the coolant in the block?

If it’s from using the block heater, my garage-kept Ranger has nothing to worry about.

I would say it is probably more common in ones that actually get used , more heat stress applied - but is not limited to the (only if it has been) so it’s a roll of the dice here.
The leak risk applies to all and the fire hazard - applies if you plug it in and the leak exists. (short)

 

[reidmefirst]

This is wild.

I have not yet received a recall notice, but I used, or tried to use, my block heater for the first time this week. I have a '21, it came with the block heater from the factory. The last couple of years have been pretty warm in Iowa but this week has been bitterly cold so I decided to try it out.

I plugged my heater in for about and hour, then went driving. The motor was still cold when I started it. When I got home I noticed that my GFCI outlet had tripped -- quite possibly due to a short circuit! I checked the outlet it before plugging it in but not after plugging it in.

I figured I'd get around to checking out the engine block heater but this sounds like it's probably the problem. Maybe the gfci outlet saved me from a fire, that would sure be swell.

My read on the recall is that there is no risk of leaking coolant to the outside world, and that this is just an issue the heating element leaking internally. I'll keep an eye on mine just in case though ;-).

 

[Oddball]

Has anybody heard anything about the block heater recall lately?

I had the recall on my truck, brought it in and they removed the block heater. Now, when I look up my VIN on Ford it doesn't have any recalls on it anymore?

I just want to make sure i'm not being overlooked since they had said the final solution would be coming out early Q2.

Cheers

 

[doznkoz]

The recall is still active. I have not used the block heater even once but I am waiting for the remedy to be announced. 46,131 miles on the odometer and have no issues so far.

 

[Ranger Mel]

Has anybody heard anything about the block heater recall lately?

I had the recall on my truck, brought it in and they removed the block heater. Now, when I look up my VIN on Ford it doesn't have any recalls on it anymore?

I just want to make sure i'm not being overlooked since they had said the final solution would be coming out early Q2.

Cheers

Still waiting.

 

[airline tech]

Update: Latest revision - posted:
The heater is available for the 2019-2020 Fusion (ONLY)

Projected date - parts availability for all others including the Ranger - Feb 15 2027

 

[Stevedbvik1]

Update: Latest revision - posted:
The heater is available for the 2019-2020 Fusion (ONLY)

Projected date - parts availability for all others including the Ranger - Feb 15 2027

Well we’re supposed to have a super El Nino this year so that should help with the wait

 

[PierreD]

I like my 2020 Ford Ranger, but I'm not going to lie:
I absolutely am pissed at Ford with this block heater debacle.
Another recall.
I need the block heater in the winter here. My winters are brutal and at 7am when it's -40, that engine/truck is a block of ice. Didn't work for the 2024 winter, and was removed in the 2025 winter.
Increased wear and cold blasting air from the vents. It sometimes doesn't get to temp by the time I get to my destination.
Been waiting over a year for a stupid part.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I like my 2020 Ford Ranger, but I'm not going to lie:
I absolutely am pissed at Ford with this block heater debacle.
Another recall.
I need the block heater in the winter here. My winters are brutal and at 7am when it's -40, that engine/truck is a block of ice. Didn't work for the 2024 winter, and was removed in the 2025 winter.
Increased wear and cold blasting air from the vents. It sometimes doesn't get to temp by the time I get to my destination.
Been waiting over a year for a stupid part.

They’ve been making automobile block heaters for close to eighty years now. You’d think they’d be able to source a manufacturer that can produce replacements at scale to address this. It’s really beyond ridiculous at this point.

 

[Frenchy]

The interesting thing about this is you can get the OEM part still

 

[PierreD]

They’ve been making automobile block heaters for close to eighty years now. You’d think they’d be able to source a manufacturer that can produce replacements at scale to address this. It’s really beyond ridiculous at this point.

The interesting thing about this is you can get the OEM part still

Mine was damaged (it did 'short out' in the winter of 2024).
They replaced it with an original part and took the cord out so nobody could plug it in.
I spent close to 500 bucks for an electrician originally because I couldn't understand why it wasn't working.
Tried buying a new extension, then a new GFI, had the electrician replace the breaker.
We tested the cord from the block heater and there was no fault and had eliminated the heater as being defective!

 

[Ranger Mel]

I like my 2020 Ford Ranger, but I'm not going to lie:
I absolutely am pissed at Ford with this block heater debacle.
Another recall.
I need the block heater in the winter here. My winters are brutal and at 7am when it's -40, that engine/truck is a block of ice. Didn't work for the 2024 winter, and was removed in the 2025 winter.
Increased wear and cold blasting air from the vents. It sometimes doesn't get to temp by the time I get to my destination.
Been waiting over a year for a stupid part.

Frustrating is an understatement. Doesn't seem like that difficult of a part to produce or make sense why they haven't gotten these to the dealers. Waiting on mine as well. Although here in north Idaho it isn't nearly as critical as where you are.

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