Model year record

1991 Ford Escort

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 413 owner complaints on file.

Ford Escort, 1991–1996 generation
Pictured: the 1991–1996 generation. Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 93V057000

Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module

Component
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
91,000
Reported to NHTSA
1993-04-15
Owners notified
1993-06-25

Defect description

THE ROLL PINS SECURING THE IGNITION LOCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN HOUSING CAN SEPARATE OR MOVE OUT OF POSITION.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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 PREVENT THE ROLL PINS FROM COMING OUT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 92V117000

Fuel system, gasoline

Component
Fuel system, gasoline
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
22,000
Reported to NHTSA
1992-08-19
Owners notified
1992-11-06

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL A NEW FUEL PUMP SENDING ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 90V076000

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Component
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
6,000
Reported to NHTSA
1990-04-17

Defect description

INTERFERENCE OCCUR BETWEEN BOLT THAT SECURES A FUEL LINE SHIELD TO THE LOWER PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

CUT OFF EXTRA LENGTH OF BOLT THAT PROTRUDES ABOVE SURFACE OF WELD NUT TO PREVENT INTERFERENCE.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch49—
Seat belts46107,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump24132,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly21210,100 mi
Electrical system: ignition20—
Power train: automatic transmission17—
Electrical system: wiring13—
Vehicle speed control1334,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline9133,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage9—
Seat belts: front: retractor9149,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood7—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers7132,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash7136,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline7—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly7—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal6—
Electrical system: starter assembly5—
Engine and engine cooling: engine534,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights590,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch5—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery5—
Electrical system4124,750 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator4101,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4—
Seat belts: front: webbing4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4—
Suspension: front4120,000 mi
Exterior lighting: back up lights3—
Exterior lighting: headlights3—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system3—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch3—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter3—
Power train: axle assembly3—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3—
Seats: front assembly: recliner3—
Structure: body: door3—
Tires3—
Electrical system: horn2—
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2—
Fuel system, other2—
Interior lighting2—
Power train2—
Power train: manual transmission2—
Seat belts: front2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2—
Air bags1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1—
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Equipment: electrical1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank: selector devices1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Steering1101,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Steering: linkages1—
Structure: body1—
Suspension1—
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1—
Suspension: rear1—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Unknown or other1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Wheels: hub1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—
Wheels: rim1—

The 1990 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 1992 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Escort model years

All Ford Escort recalls by year

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.