Model year record

1986 Ford Escort

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 53 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 89V170000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
1,375,500
Reported to NHTSA
1989-10-13
Owners notified
1989-11-13

Defect description

THE FORWARD OUTBOARD PEDESTAL OF THE SEAT TRACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURE.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LIMITED DEGREE OF ROCKING MOTIONOF THE DRIVERS SEAT ASSEMBLY UPON ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, WHICH COULDCAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT ON ALL MODELS AND A NEW SEAT TRACK AS NECESSARY

Recall campaignNHTSA 87V139000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
3,600,000
Reported to NHTSA
1987-09-04
Owners notified
1987-10-12

Defect description

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Safety risk

COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch10
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline6
Electrical system: ignition5
Structure: frame and members4
Engine and engine cooling: engine3
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Unknown or other2
Electrical system1
Electrical system: ignition: module180,150 mi
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Steering: linkages1
Structure: body1
Structure: body: hood1
Suspension1
Vehicle speed control1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1

The 1985 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1987 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.