NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Switch
3539.8%
Gasoline
1112.5%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1011.4%
Interior/Under Dash
89.1%
Wiring
78.0%
Ignition
78.0%
Recliner
55.7%
Front Underhood
55.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
120.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
120.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
240.0%
150,000+ miles
120.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 31Mar 2010
NHTSA investigations into the 1989 Ford Escort
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP91003Opened 29 Nov 1990Closed 31 Jan 1991ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE STALLING
ENGINE STALLING
EA90008Opened 27 Dec 1989Closed 31 Dec 1991SEAT BELTS
FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINT
WE HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS REPORTS WHICH ALLEGE A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM.ADDITIONAL REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED TO RESTRAIN/ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE OCCUPANT DURING AN ACCIDENT
Recalls on the 1989 Ford Escort
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
96V071000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1995212834,368 units in Canada
Electrical
A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN SWITCH.
Recall 199411625,316 units in Canada
Emissions
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. CORRECTION: EXHAUST SYSTEM CATALYST WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 100,000 milesSpringfield, MOCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD ESCORT. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE SHE WAS REAR-ENDED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO HER HEAD AREA. SHE MENTIONED SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELTS AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH AND BELIEVED THE FAILURE OF THE SEATBELTS CONTRIBUTED TO HER INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10318126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kendallville, INFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1989 FORD ESCORT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE AND ONCE HE/SHE PULLED OVER, THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #10169105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesCheshire, CTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1989 FORD ESCORT HATCHBACK - A PASSENGER EXITING THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR SEAT STEPPED ON AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE CARPET WHICH CAUSED THE +12V AND GROUND WIRES TO SHORT TOGETHER. THIS CONNECTOR IS PART OF THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP HARNESS. THE CONNECTOR MELTED, THE WIRE HARNESS BURNED AND THE CARPET SINGED. THERE WAS SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10086882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesMagalia, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED ALTERNATOR. ALSO, THE SECOND ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE AT THE GAS PUMP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE BLAZE. CONSUMER CLAIMED IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE INSTALLATION THAT CAUSED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10057546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesNicholson, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 1989 FORD ESCORT SHE TURNED L TO PULL INTO A DRIVE WAY AND SHE SMELLED SMOKE. SHE ONLY GOT A FEW YARDS AND THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. I DID CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY, BUT SINCE THE CAR WAS NOT INSURED FOR FIRE. THEY RECOMMENDED I CONTACT FORD. WHEN ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY DEFECTS THAT WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO BURST INTO FLAMES. I WAS TOLD NO THERE WAS NOT. SO THERE WAS IT WAS NOT INVESTIGATED. WHILE LOOKING OVER THIS WEB SITE I HAVE FOUND MANY FIRES. AND I WAS WONDER IF ANY ACTION COULD BE TAKEN. I DO NOT SOMEONE ELSE'S DAUGHTER DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND POSSIBLY BURNING TO DEATH. AND I FEEL FORD SHOULD HAVE BEEN HONEST WITH ME. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10018561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Lima, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE ENGINE OVERHEATED RESULTING IN ENGINE FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
NHTSA complaint #559641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 100,000 milesSpringfield, MOCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD ESCORT. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE SHE WAS REAR-ENDED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO HER HEAD AREA. SHE MENTIONED SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELTS AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH AND BELIEVED THE FAILURE OF THE SEATBELTS CONTRIBUTED TO HER INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10318126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kendallville, INFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1989 FORD ESCORT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE AND ONCE HE/SHE PULLED OVER, THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #10169105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesCheshire, CTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1989 FORD ESCORT HATCHBACK - A PASSENGER EXITING THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR SEAT STEPPED ON AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE CARPET WHICH CAUSED THE +12V AND GROUND WIRES TO SHORT TOGETHER. THIS CONNECTOR IS PART OF THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP HARNESS. THE CONNECTOR MELTED, THE WIRE HARNESS BURNED AND THE CARPET SINGED. THERE WAS SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10086882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesMagalia, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED ALTERNATOR. ALSO, THE SECOND ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE AT THE GAS PUMP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE BLAZE. CONSUMER CLAIMED IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE INSTALLATION THAT CAUSED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10057546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25 milesPHX, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BATTERY CHARGING LIGHT GOING ON & OFF AT TIMES. ALSO ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED FUEL GAUGE WILL REGISTER ABOVE FULL & AT SAME TIME TEMPERATURE. GAUGE GOES UP TO MAXIMUM. NEITHER BEING CLOSE TO BE CORRECTED. DURING THIS TIME I NOTICED KEYS & IGNITION BECOME VERY HOT. IF TURNED ON & OFF COUPLE TIMES IT IS OK AGAIN . EXCEPT OCCASIONAL CHARGING LIGHT ON & OFF WITH NO LOSS OF POWER. CAN'T FIND CAUSE!
NHTSA complaint #10041688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clover, SC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
MHTSA#92-V-117-000: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. CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER,THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED BECAUSE YEAR OF MANUFACTURING, 1989.
NHTSA complaint #10024430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesNicholson, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 1989 FORD ESCORT SHE TURNED L TO PULL INTO A DRIVE WAY AND SHE SMELLED SMOKE. SHE ONLY GOT A FEW YARDS AND THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. I DID CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY, BUT SINCE THE CAR WAS NOT INSURED FOR FIRE. THEY RECOMMENDED I CONTACT FORD. WHEN ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY DEFECTS THAT WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO BURST INTO FLAMES. I WAS TOLD NO THERE WAS NOT. SO THERE WAS IT WAS NOT INVESTIGATED. WHILE LOOKING OVER THIS WEB SITE I HAVE FOUND MANY FIRES. AND I WAS WONDER IF ANY ACTION COULD BE TAKEN. I DO NOT SOMEONE ELSE'S DAUGHTER DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND POSSIBLY BURNING TO DEATH. AND I FEEL FORD SHOULD HAVE BEEN HONEST WITH ME. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10018561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN HE PLACED THE KEY INSIDE OF THE IGNITION. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wood-Ridge, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS STALLING DUE TO THE PLACEMENT OF AN ELECTRONIC MODULE ON THE DISTRIBUTOR, WHEN THE ENGINE GOT HOT, IT CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE MODULE, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING SOME KIND OF COMPENSATION DUE TO THE RULING IN ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #565681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garner, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #758978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Rosa, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
IT RAN LIKE A CHARM UNTIL 1 DAY I SLOWED TO GO TO DRIVEWAY, AND STALLED. IT STARTS BACK UP.
NHTSA complaint #746355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hubbard, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
GAS TANK FAILED TWICE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Lima, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE ENGINE OVERHEATED RESULTING IN ENGINE FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
NHTSA complaint #559641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE INSURANCE WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. I REMOVED LOWER CRANKSHAFT PULLY AND RETURNED IT TO DEALER. THEY FINALLY REPAIRED PROBLEM AFTER MUCH INCONVIENCE TO ME.
NHTSA complaint #740207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orange, MA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
IN TRYING TO BUY RECYCLEED PARTS I ENCOUNTERED MANY INSTANCESES OF THE SAME PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #733961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Watertown, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE STALLS ALOT, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS. OWNER HAS TO BLOW DRY DISTRIBUTOR CAP BEFORE VEHICLE WILL START AGAIN. ALSO, WHEN DEPRESSING CLUTCH PEDAL, VEHICLE STALLS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. CLUTCH HAS BEEN REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #873477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Watertown, NY
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
VEHICLE STALLS ALOT, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS. OWNER HAS TO BLOW DRY DISTRIBUTOR CAP BEFORE VEHICLE WILL START AGAIN. ALSO, WHEN DEPRESSING CLUTCH PEDAL, VEHICLE STALLS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. CLUTCH HAS BEEN REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #873477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarksvill, TN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
POSSIBLE WATER PUMP OR FAN BELT FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK WHILE DRIVING LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS, VEHICLE DID NOT TURNOVER, BUT CUT OFF AGAIN.* ET
NHTSA complaint #781603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarksvill, TN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
POSSIBLE WATER PUMP OR FAN BELT FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK WHILE DRIVING LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS, VEHICLE DID NOT TURNOVER, BUT CUT OFF AGAIN.* ET
NHTSA complaint #781603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anaheim, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
A CLAMP FROM THE THROTTLE BODY DISLODGED AND ENTERED THE ENGINE RESULTING IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #784530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Titusville, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WHILE DRIVING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES CONSUMER STARTED SMELLING SMOKE, AND 5 MINUTES LATER, SAW FIRE COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD. ALSO, BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AFTER SHE SMELLED THE SMOKE. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #863391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Titusville, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
WHILE DRIVING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES CONSUMER STARTED SMELLING SMOKE, AND 5 MINUTES LATER, SAW FIRE COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD. ALSO, BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AFTER SHE SMELLED THE SMOKE. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #863391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upland, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CAONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 96V07100/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 95S28/ IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECORD OF THIS RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #858229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reno, NV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ENGINE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON,THE CAR STALLS AND JERKS.I WAS WITH MY CAR IN TWO SERVICES. THE FIRST:PYRAMID SHELL SERVICE CHARGED ME WITH 400$ FOR SOME IGNITIONS MODULES WHO WERE REPLACED.AFTER I PICKED UP MY CAR IN ONE HOUR I MET THE SAME PROBLEMS.I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK AND THEY CHECKED AGAIN AND SAID THAT WILL COST ME ANOTHER 400$ BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO CHANGE THE COMPUTER.ISAID NO,BECAUSE I HAD NO TRUST IN THEM AND I WENT TO JOHN WEST FORD .O.K.THEY CHANGED AGAIN ALMOST THE SAME PARTS AND CHARGED ME WITH 620$.I PAID EVERYTHING.I JUST THOUGHT THAT WILL BE GOOD. NO WAY.AFTER A FEW HOURS,WHEN I DROVE MY CAR HOME ON THE HYWAY IT START TO SHOW THE SAME NICE PROBLEM.STALLS ,JERKS.BUT NO DIFFERENCIES.IT WAS THE SAME LIKE ON THE FIRST TIME.WHAT CAN I DO?MY CAR IS STILL BAD.MY MONEY ARE GONE.WHO WILL BE RESPONSABLE FOR THAT?ME?I GAVE MY MONEY WISHING TO SEE MY CAR FIXED,REPAIRD.THOSE GUYS TOOK MY MONEY AND DIDN'T DO THE RIGHT THING.I AM THE GREAT LOOSER AND THEY WILL BE ALWAYS THE WINNERS.HOW CAN I TAKE MY MONEY BACK OR SEE MY CAR REPAIRD?SORRY FOR MY WRONG ENGLISH.THANK YOU AND PLEASE HELP ME.
NHTSA complaint #719698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reno, NV
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENGINE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON,THE CAR STALLS AND JERKS.I WAS WITH MY CAR IN TWO SERVICES. THE FIRST:PYRAMID SHELL SERVICE CHARGED ME WITH 400$ FOR SOME IGNITIONS MODULES WHO WERE REPLACED.AFTER I PICKED UP MY CAR IN ONE HOUR I MET THE SAME PROBLEMS.I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK AND THEY CHECKED AGAIN AND SAID THAT WILL COST ME ANOTHER 400$ BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO CHANGE THE COMPUTER.ISAID NO,BECAUSE I HAD NO TRUST IN THEM AND I WENT TO JOHN WEST FORD .O.K.THEY CHANGED AGAIN ALMOST THE SAME PARTS AND CHARGED ME WITH 620$.I PAID EVERYTHING.I JUST THOUGHT THAT WILL BE GOOD. NO WAY.AFTER A FEW HOURS,WHEN I DROVE MY CAR HOME ON THE HYWAY IT START TO SHOW THE SAME NICE PROBLEM.STALLS ,JERKS.BUT NO DIFFERENCIES.IT WAS THE SAME LIKE ON THE FIRST TIME.WHAT CAN I DO?MY CAR IS STILL BAD.MY MONEY ARE GONE.WHO WILL BE RESPONSABLE FOR THAT?ME?I GAVE MY MONEY WISHING TO SEE MY CAR FIXED,REPAIRD.THOSE GUYS TOOK MY MONEY AND DIDN'T DO THE RIGHT THING.I AM THE GREAT LOOSER AND THEY WILL BE ALWAYS THE WINNERS.HOW CAN I TAKE MY MONEY BACK OR SEE MY CAR REPAIRD?SORRY FOR MY WRONG ENGLISH.THANK YOU AND PLEASE HELP ME.
NHTSA complaint #719698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.