NHTSA Data Explorer

Ford Escort

Data refreshed May 30, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Ford Escort.

Complaints

3,547

Active records

Recalls

17

Active records

TSBs

320

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

21

Injuries

449

Crashes

491

Fires

292

Top reported issues — Ford Escort

Click a category to expand its values.

Condition issue

1,256

Safety restraint issue

1,040

Operating state

778

Safety restraint behavior

699

Thermal issue

475

Engine behavior

340

Fluid issue

294

Noise

222

Reporting mechanism

208

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

183

Braking behavior

173

Electrical issue

152

Vibration/harshness

135

Performance issue

120

Smell

94

Steering behavior

75

Lighting behavior

67

Starting behavior

64

Access/entry issue

48

Ride/handling behavior

45

Driver assistance issue

43

HVAC behavior

43

Recent change

34

Powering on/off behavior

26

Wiper/washer behavior

24

Infotainment behavior

13

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

1997 FORD ESCORT

Filed Jul 7, 2023


The rubber fuel filler neck hose that connects the metal fuel filler neck to the gas tank failed for the first time in 2013. During fueling, a large pool of gasoline leaked onto the pavement under the vehicle, presenting an environmental and fire hazard. The filler neck hose was replaced with a Ford OEM hose purchased from a local Ford dealer in Sacramento, CA. The replacement hose failed in a similar manner the original hose in less than two years time - thus requiring replacement in 2015. …

1992 FORD ESCORT

Filed Jun 2, 2022


I have a very bad gas leak and have Always smelt fuel since I have owned the car, the front suspension is also affected and my rear lights are faulty

1998 FORD ESCORT

Filed Sep 19, 2019


Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,998. *AS

1999 FORD ESCORT

Filed May 28, 2019


Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NO OCCUPANT INSIDE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER WAS IN THE PARK POSITION AT THE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

1998 FORD ESCORT

Filed Jan 26, 2019


I AM CONCERNED REGARDING REAR BUMPER COVER. THIS VERY IMPORTANT PAFT ON TBIS VEHICLE IS MADE TOTALLY OF FIBERGLASS OR A SIMILAR PRODUCT WHICH BECOMES MORE CRACKED WITH TIME AND THE MAIN ISSUE IS THAT IT HAS NO HARD METAL BAR FOR PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT . THIS BUMPER WHICH I HAD REMOVED TO RPLACED WHAT WAS LEFT OF IT HAS SOMETHING THAT APPEARS TO BE A BAR ATTACHED OR PART OF IT YET IT IS NOT ANY TYPE OF METAL THAT WOULD IN ANY WAY HELP ENDURE THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN THE…

1997 FORD ESCORT

Filed Jan 24, 2019


FLASHING AIR BAG READINESS LIGHT IN A 51 PATTERN.

1994 FORD ESCORT

Filed Oct 21, 2018


AUTOMATIC SEATBELT IS JAMMED AND SEATBELT NO LONGER WORKS

2003 FORD ESCORT

Filed Mar 19, 2018


2003 FORD ESCORT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DOOR HINGE/LATCH PROBLEMS RECALL NOTICE. CONSUMER HAS PREVIOUS CORRESPONDENCE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN ARTEMIS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS

1995 FORD ESCORT

Filed Jan 5, 2018


THE PASSIVE SEAT RESTRAINT DOES NOT RETRACT FULLY. THIS OCCURS WHEN YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. IT HAS TO BE MANUALLY DISCONNECTED. WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE ON IT HESITATES BEFORE RETRACTING TO DRIVERS BODY. THE CAR IS STATIONARY WHEN THIS OCCURS.

1999 FORD ESCORT

Filed Oct 6, 2017


VEHICLE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STILL ACTIVATED, WON'T TURN OFF. THERE HAS BEEN NO COLLISIONS OR ACTIVITY THAT CAUSED LIGHT TO BE ACTIVATED.

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated May 30, 2026. Refreshed nightly.