Model year record

1994 Ford Escort

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 351 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V218000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
240
Reported to NHTSA
1994-11-10
Owners notified
1994-12-30

Defect description

THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CAN HAVE AN INADEQUATELY WELDED INFLATOR CANISTER.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG MODULE.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Seat belts4640,000 mi
Air bags: frontal36115,404 mi
Air bags16
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline16
Power train: automatic transmission1545,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components14
Seat belts: front: retractor1380,180 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine9142,708 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage9
Electrical system: ignition: switch855,580 mi
Electrical system: ignition6
Seat belts: front6180,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module5
Electrical system: wiring5
Exterior lighting: headlights597,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar5
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs538,000 mi
Vehicle speed control5
Visibility: windshield5
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly4
Seat belts: front: webbing4
Seats4
Suspension: front4
Tires4
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system4
Electrical system3
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan3
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys3
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3
Interior lighting3
Structure: body: bumpers3
Suspension: rear3
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly3
Air bags: side/window2
Electrical system: horn2
Engine and engine cooling2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Fuel system, other2
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2
Seats: front assembly: recliner2
Service brakes, hydraulic2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2
Suspension2
Suspension: rear: springs2
Unknown or other2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Air bags: on-off switch assembly1
Child seat1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Equipment: electrical1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1
Steering1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: linkages1
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs138,000 mi
Tires: sidewall1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages1

The 1993 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1995 model has about half as many 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.