The Ford Escort has 38 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1981–2002. On average a defect was admitted 2.96 years after the car was built, the slowest took 13 years. The most recalled system is Fuel System, Gasoline (8 campaigns). Owners also filed 2,850 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Ford Escort
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Fuel System, Gasoline 8 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 1.9l engines, built at the hermosillo assembly plant and originally sold or currently registered in arizona. Cracks can develop in the fuel tank near the heat shield attachment resulting in fuel leakage if the cracks go through the fuel tank wall
Risk. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a vehicle fire
Fix. Dealers will remove the heat shield attachments. This will not affect heat shield location or function, as the attachments are intended to keep the shield in place until the fuel tank is installed in the vehicle. After installation, the fuel tank straps retain the heat shield
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 1.9l engines, built at the hermosillo or wayne assembly plants and originally sold or currently registered in nevada, florida, hawaii, texas, california, louisiana, georgia, south carolina, mississippi, oklahoma, alabama and arkansas. Cracks can develop in the fuel tank near the heat shield attachment resulting in fuel leakage if the cracks go through the fuel tank wall
Risk. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a vehicle fire
Fix. Dealers will remove the heat shield attachments. This will not affect heat shield location or function, as the attachments are intended to keep the shield in place until the fuel tank is installed in the vehicle. After installation, the fuel tank straps retain the heat shield
What's wrong. Fatigue cracks can develop in the solder joint between the fuel return tube and the fuel pump sending unit located at the top of the fuel tank
Risk. Should a crack develop, fuel vapor can escape from thetank when the tank is full, and a small amount of fuel can leak from the crack.fuel leaks can result in fire when exposed to a source of ignition
Fix. Install a new fuel pump sending assembly
Seat Belts 5 Read
What's wrong. Certain trw driver's side seat belts manufactured on december 6 and 9, 2002, for use as replacement equipment for 1997 ford escort 4-door and station wagon platform vehicles, ford's p/n f7cz54611b09aac. The seat belt assemblies exhibit a no-lock condition which does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, seat belt assemblies
Risk. In the event of a crash, the restraint system may not provide adequate protection to the seat occupant, which may increase the risk of personal injury
Fix. Trw will notify the customers who purchased the replacement seat belt assemblies free of charge. The recall began on august 27, 2004
What's wrong. Certain trw driver's side seat belts manufactured on december 6 and 9, 2002, for use as replacement equipment for 1997 ford escort 4-door and station wagon platform vehicles, ford's p/n f7cz54611b09aac. The seat belt assemblies exhibit a no-lock condition which does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, seat belt assemblies
Risk. In the event of a crash, the restraint system may not provide adequate protection to the seat occupant, which may increase the risk of personal injury
Fix. Trw will notify the customers who purchased the replacement seat belt assemblies free of charge. The recall began on august 27, 2004
What's wrong. Certain trw driver's side seat belts manufactured on december 6 and 9, 2002, for use as replacement equipment for 1997 ford escort 4-door and station wagon platform vehicles, ford's p/n f7cz54611b09aac. The seat belt assemblies exhibit a no-lock condition which does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, seat belt assemblies
Risk. In the event of a crash, the restraint system may not provide adequate protection to the seat occupant, which may increase the risk of personal injury
Fix. Trw will notify the customers who purchased the replacement seat belt assemblies free of charge. The recall began on august 27, 2004
Seats 4 Read
What's wrong. The lock plate of the driver side inboard seat track adjusters were manufactured with an unauthorized modification to the fabrication process which causes the seat not to fully engage in certain seating positions near the mid-point of the seat track travel
Risk. In the event of a crash the seat can move, which would result in reduced occupant protection
Fix. Dealers will replace the driver side inboard seat track
What's wrong. The forward outboard pedestal of the seat track of driver's seat may be susceptible to fatigue fracture
Risk. This could result in a limited degree of rocking motionof the drivers seat assembly upon acceleration or deceleration, which couldcause an accident
Fix. Install a reinforcement on all models and a new seat track as necessary
What's wrong. The forward outboard pedestal of the seat track of driver's seat may be susceptible to fatigue fracture
Risk. This could result in a limited degree of rocking motionof the drivers seat assembly upon acceleration or deceleration, which couldcause an accident
Fix. Install a reinforcement on all models and a new seat track as necessary
Air Bags 3 Read
What's wrong. On certain passenger vehicles, the integrated air bag monitor (iabm) can be contaminated with water or other liquids and could experience internal electrical shorting
Risk. This may, in turn, cause the air bag readiness light to illuminate and in very rare occurrences, air bag deployment, melted wiring, or fire may occur
Fix. Dealers will install the shield over the iabm and apply nyogel grease to the connector. Owner notification began february 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332
What's wrong. Two bolts that attach the passenger side air bag supplemental restraint system module to the instrument panel are missing. In the event of a frontal impact, the module can come out of the instrument panel
Risk. This would not restrain the passenger and would result in an increased risk of injury
Fix. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install and torque to specification the mounting bolts for the passenger side air bag
What's wrong. The driver side air bag module can have an inadequately welded inflator canister
Risk. In the event of a collision, the weld seam can separate, causing the air bag to fail to deploy properly and hot gases to be expelled from the back of the steering wheel. This can result in an increased risk of personal injury from the hot gases and the air bag failure
Fix. Dealers will install a new air bag module
Electrical System 3 Read
What's wrong. The roll pins securing the ignition lock in the steering column housing can separate or move out of position
Risk. The ignition lock cylinder may disengage from thesteering column housing which could cause the steering column to lock up,resulting in loss of vehicle control and a possible accident
Fix. If one or both of the roll pins are missing or not fully inserted, the ignition lock housing will be replaced, along with the door-locks and the liftgate or deck-lid locks so that key compatibility is maintained. If both pins are present and fully inserted, a plastic snap-on sleeve will be installed as a precaution to…
What's wrong. The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit
Risk. This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle
Fix. Dealers will replace the ignition switch
What's wrong. The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit
Risk. This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle
Fix. Dealers will replace the ignition switch
Vehicle Speed Control 3 Read
What's wrong. Interference occur between bolt that secures a fuel line shield to the lower portion of the dash panel and the accelerator pedal
Risk. This could cause the accelerator pedal to stick at the wide open throttle position and result in loss of control with the risk of a vehicle accident
Fix. Cut off extra length of bolt that protrudes above surface of weld nut to prevent interference
What's wrong. The throttle lever may not return to idle position due to misalignment of the air conditioner shut off switch to the throttle lever pin. Consequence of defect: a jammed throttle could result in a loss of accelerator control, without prior warning, and an accident
Fix. Adjust shutoff switch and assure proper alignment to throttle lever pin
What's wrong. Fuel may possibly travel through the speed control vacuum lines and into the speed control actuation device (serv0). The fuel can damage seals in the actuator servo and allow vacuum leaks. Such a leak could activate the speed control without any action on the part of the driver. This would cause the vehicle to gradually accelerate
Fix. The vacuum check valve and hose assembly will be replaced and the speed control servo will be replaced if it has been damaged
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 3 Read
What's wrong. The brake line may be positioned too close to an engine bracket. Normal engine movements may cause the bracket to rub against the brake line
Fix. The brake line will be inspected and rerouted if necessary
What's wrong. On certain vehicles, the right and left hand rear brake backing plate attachment bolts may not have been tightened to the correct specifications. Backing plate bolts may not be able to withstand the loads experienced during truck shipment. If the bolts loosen from the spindle during operation, backing plate movement may result in weakening or premature wear of one or both rear brake tubes. This could lead to loss of brake fluid
Fix. Dealer will inspect and tighten the bolts to the proper specifications. Rear brake tubes will be replaced, if necessary, at no charge to owner
What's wrong. Some vehicles equipped with power brake boosters have front and rear shells that may have been improperly joined. Improperly joined booster shells may separate either partially or completely during brake application
Fix. All defective boosters will be replaced at no charge to owner
Exterior Lighting 2 Read
What's wrong. Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment
Risk. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning
Fix. Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on april 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988
What's wrong. Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment
Risk. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning
Fix. Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on april 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988
What's wrong. Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment
Risk. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning
Fix. Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on april 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988
Power Train 1 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the s/r option. The s/r option includes, among other features, a 5-speed manual transmission. On these vehicles, the transmission shift pattern is not displayed in the occupant compartment in view of the driver. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect."
Risk. The driver may not be aware of the transmission position of the vehicle
Fix. Owners will be provided with an adhesive backed plaque containing the shift pattern, along with materials and instructions for locating and affixing the plaque to the vehicle center console, just forward of the shift lever. Owners will also be advised that their dealer can affix the plaque if they prefer
Suspension 1 Read
What's wrong. The offset toe adjusting pin can fracture under conditions such as torsional loads, flexing motion, impact loads, and overtorquing
Risk. This can result in loss of vehicle steering control andan accident
Fix. Dana will pay for replacement and labor costs of the adjustment pin without charge to the installing facility and the vehicle owner. These pins should be replaced by a ford original equipment pin assembly. Owner or installer inquiries concerning this recall campaign should contact dana service center at 1-800-248-9606
What's wrong. The offset toe adjusting pin can fracture under conditions such as torsional loads, flexing motion, impact loads, and overtorquing
Risk. This can result in loss of vehicle steering control andan accident
Fix. Dana will pay for replacement and labor costs of the adjustment pin without charge to the installing facility and the vehicle owner. These pins should be replaced by a ford original equipment pin assembly. Owner or installer inquiries concerning this recall campaign should contact dana service center at 1-800-248-9606
What's wrong. The offset toe adjusting pin can fracture under conditions such as torsional loads, flexing motion, impact loads, and overtorquing
Risk. This can result in loss of vehicle steering control andan accident
Fix. Dana will pay for replacement and labor costs of the adjustment pin without charge to the installing facility and the vehicle owner. These pins should be replaced by a ford original equipment pin assembly. Owner or installer inquiries concerning this recall campaign should contact dana service center at 1-800-248-9606
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 2.96 years |
| Slowest campaign | 13 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 24.5% |
| Campaigns on record | 38 |
Which Escort years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Seat Belts | |
| 2001 | Seat Belts | |
| 2000 | Seat Belts | |
| 1999 | Seat Belts | |
| 1998 | Seat Belts | |
| 1997 | Air Bags | |
| 1996 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1995 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1994 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1993 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1992 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1991 | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 1990 | Visibility | |
| 1989 | Electrical System | |
| 1988 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1987 | Wheels | |
| 1986 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1985 | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 1984 | Seat Belts | |
| 1983 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1982 | Equipment | |
| 1981 | Electrical System |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
Go deeper
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Ford Escort have?
38 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1981–2002. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my Escort still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 2.96 years, and the slowest campaign came 13 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.