Manufacturer recall number

Ford recall 25SA4

Q: Is 25SA4 the same recall as 26V012000?

Yes. 25SA4 is Ford’s own number for it; 26V012000 is NHTSA’s. The manufacturer used the same number on 2 NHTSA filings, all listed above.

Ford calls it 25SA4. NHTSA filed it as campaign 26V012000 and 1 other on Jan 15, 2026: equipment on the 2016–2024 Ford Explorer and 1 other Ford model, 61,409 vehicles potentially affected. One recall, two numbers — the dealer quotes the manufacturer’s, the federal record carries NHTSA’s.

The full filing, 26V012000 →Check a VIN at NHTSA Ford’s own VIN lookup →

What NHTSA has under this number

Source: 49 CFR Part 573 filings

NHTSA campaign	Vehicles	Component	Filed	Affected	Severity
26V012000	2016–2024 Ford Explorer and 1 other Ford model	Equipment	Jan 15, 2026	2,403	critical
25V685000	2016–2024 Ford and Lincoln	Equipment	Oct 10, 2025	59,006	critical

Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in. Risk An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire. Fix 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 February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 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 January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.

The manufacturer’s own words as filed for 26V012000. Every model year it covers, the build window and the filed PDFs →

Two numbers, one recall

Every safety recall carries two identifiers. 25SA4 is the number Ford assigned in its own system: it is what appears on the owner letter, on the dealer’s service screen and on the repair order. 26V012000 is the number NHTSA filed the same recall under when the manufacturer reported it, and it is the one every federal record, this site included, is keyed on.

The repair is free by federal law for vehicles up to fifteen years old. Whether one particular vehicle is included is settled by its VIN against the manufacturer’s build list, not by its model year.

Check one specific vehicle

Both lookups check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list and say whether the repair is still outstanding on that vehicle.

NHTSA VIN recall lookup →Ford’s own VIN lookup →

Common questions

Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR Part 573

Is 25SA4 the same recall as 26V012000?

Yes. 25SA4 is Ford’s own number for it; 26V012000 is NHTSA’s. The manufacturer used the same number on 2 NHTSA filings, all listed above.

Which vehicles does 25SA4 cover?

2016–2024 Ford Explorer and 1 other Ford model, 61,409 vehicles by the manufacturer’s count. A recall covers a build range, so the VIN decides whether one particular vehicle is in it.

Does the 25SA4 repair cost anything?

No. The manufacturer must remedy a safety defect at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.