Ford Recalls Escape and Lincoln Corsair PHEVs Over High-Voltage Battery Fire and Stall Risk
Areazine synthesizes this NHTSA vehicle recall directly from NHTSA's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.
Ford Motor Company is recalling approximately 24,690 plug-in hybrid vehicles due to a battery cell defect that can cause internal short circuits, leading to fires or loss of drive power.
What this NHTSA vehicle recall tells you, and what most readers miss
This notice was issued by NHTSA on April 6, 2026 and geographically references United States. Its severity classification of "high" signals how the issuing agency weighs the risk of harm if no action is taken - "critical" and "high" tier alerts typically carry direct consumer actions, while "medium" and "low" tend toward informational guidance or monitoring advisories. The category it belongs to - Vehicle Recalls - determines the consumer-protection framework behind it, which shapes what remedies (refunds, replacements, repairs, or the recall itself) are available to affected consumers and which agency holds statutory responsibility for enforcement.
Most readers skim a notice like this, check whether they are personally affected, and move on. The more useful lens is to verify its scope, source, and timestamp, then compare related notices without assuming that one record proves a broader trend.
Areazine pairs this record with the original agency URL so you can check the primary source before acting. Its related labels are recall, product-safety, nhtsa, automotive.
What Happened
Ford Motor Company has issued a safety recall for specific plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models due to a manufacturing defect in the high-voltage battery cells. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one or more cells within the battery pack may experience an internal short circuit, which can lead to total battery failure.
Which Products Are Affected
The recall involves approximately 24,690 units. Affected vehicles include:
- 2023-2025 Ford Escape PHEV
- 2023-2026 Lincoln Corsair PHEV
This action, identified by Ford recall number 25SC4, expands upon previous recall campaigns 24V954 and 25V489. Owners can check their specific Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the NHTSA website to confirm if their vehicle is included.
What You Should Do
A final remedy is currently under development. Until the repair is available, Ford advises all affected owners to take the following precautions:
- Only operate the vehicle in "Auto EV" mode.
- Limit battery charging to a maximum of 80% capacity.
Interim notification letters are expected to be mailed to owners on March 6, 2026, providing instructions on how to limit the charge. A second letter will be sent once the final remedy is ready. Consumers with questions may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Why This Matters
Battery failure in these vehicles presents two significant safety hazards: a sudden loss of drive power while in motion, which increases the risk of a crash, and the potential for an internal short circuit to ignite a vehicle fire.
Source
Information provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Campaign Number 26V091000.
Original source: NHTSA Official Notice ↗
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