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1992 problems

FaultScore report

1992 Ford Escort problems

Owners have filed 222 complaints about the 1992 Ford Escort with NHTSA between 1995 and 2022. The largest single group is the electrical system.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Ford Escort

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Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

222

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

1 complaint reports a death.

106,619 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 1992 compares with every other Ford Escort

Click any bar to open that year's report.

2 5 7 27 31 53 65 206 199 128 413 222 480 351 725 257 729 470 413 128 85 41 13

81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1992 Ford Escort

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Electrical System 44 19.8%

0 crashes, 15 fires · median 102,239 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 41 18.5%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 131,000 mi

Seat Belts 29 13.1%

4 crashes, 0 fires · median 111,000 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 25 11.3%

2 crashes, 1 fires

Brakes 19 8.6%

Engine & Cooling 16 7.2%

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 130,000 mi

Lights 9 4.1%

Transmission & Drivetrain 9 4.1%

Median failure at 76,365 miles

Suspension 7 3.2%

Median failure at 39,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 6 2.7%

Median failure at 111,000 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 4 1.8%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Steering 4 1.8%

Tires 3 1.4%

Median failure at 12,000 miles

Doors, Latches & Locks 2 0.9%

Seats 2 0.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Child Seats 1 0.5%

Equipment & Accessories 1 0.5%

Exactly what failed

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.

Tank Assembly 21 25.3%

Switch 18 21.7%

Retractor 9 10.8%

Interior/Under Dash 8 9.6%

Gasoline 8 9.6%

Accelerator Pedal 7 8.4%

Fuel Pump 6 7.2%

Ignition 6 7.2%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 7.1%

25,000 – 49,999 miles 3 21.4%

50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 7.1%

75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 7.1%

100,000 – 149,999 miles 7 50.0%

150,000+ miles 1 7.1%

NHTSA crash tests

The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.

These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.

Configuration	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
1992 Ford Escort 2-DR.	—	—	—	—

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 1995 peak 10 Jun 2022

NHTSA investigations into the 1992 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.

EA94002 Opened 28 Jan 1994 Closed 31 Jan 1995 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

FUEL PUMP WIRING SHORTAGE

Recalls on the 1992 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.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 1995031 21 Feb 1995 64,538 units in Canada

Electrical

NOTE: VEHICLES LOCATED IN ONTARIO, QUEBEC AND THE ATLANTIC PROVINCES. THE FUEL PUMP WIRING ASSEMBLY MAY CORRODE DUE TO ROAD SALT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL BRIDGE DEVELOPING BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT AND THE FUEL GAUGE SENDER TERMINALS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL SENDER GROUND CIRCUIT TO OVERHEAT THE WIRING AND MELT ITS INSULATION PRIOR TO THE OPENING OF THE FUSE IN THE FUEL PUMP POWER CIRCUIT. THIS WOULD CAUSE SMOKE AND ODOUR AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF FUEL DELIVERY TO THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE STOPPING. CORRECTION: A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS WILL BE INSTALLED IN THE FUEL PUMP/SENDER ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.

Recall 1993171 15 Dec 1993 120 units in Canada

Structure

NOTE: FORD ESCORT MONTREAL 350 ANNIVERSARY EDITION. THE REAR DECK SPOILER MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITHOUT A VINYL GASKET BETWEEN THE FOOT OF THE SPOILER PEDESTAL AND THE DECK LID SURFACE. THIS COULD ALLOW THE SPOILER TO ROCK ON THE DECK LID CAUSING FATIGUE AND EVENTUAL CRACKING OF THE DECK LID SHEET METAL. LEFT UNATTENDED, THE SPOILER COULD COME FREE OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A ROAD HAZARD. CORRECTION: PEDESTAL MOUNT GASKETS WILL BE INSTALLED, MOUNTING SCREWS WILL BE RETORQUED AND CRACKED TRUNK LID SHEET METAL WILL BE REPAIRED IF NECESSARY.

Recall 1992121 29 Sep 1992 1,389 units in Canada

Fuel System

FATIGUE CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN THE SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN TUBE AND THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS WOULD ALLOW FUEL VAPOURS TO ESCAPE FROM THE TANK AND WHEN THE TANK IS 7/8 OR MORE FULL, A SMALL AMOUNT OF LIQUID FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE CRACK PRESENTING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. NOTE: FOR ESCORT MODELS ONLY GT AND LXE LINES INVOLVED. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE OF IMPROVED STRENGTH.

Recall 1992118 28 Sep 1992 3,858 units in Canada

Brakes

VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH STOP LAMP SWITCHES THAT POTENTIALLY COULD INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTION AND RESULT IN THE STOP LAMPS NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS COULD RESULT IN FOLLOWING MOTORISTS NOT BEING SIGNALED THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND STOP LAMP SWITCHES REPLACED IF NECESSARY.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Filed 7 Mar 2003 at 168,000 miles Aurora, MO Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE A SHORT DISTANCE THERE WAS THE SMELL OF ELECTRICAL WIRE BURNING AND SOON AFTER, SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE DEFROSTER VENTS. VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND SMOKING QUIT. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS NOTED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD BURNT UP BEYOND REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10010123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 23 Jun 2000 Stockton, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

WHILE PARKED UNDER DASH FIRE OCCURRED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS BEFORE SMOKE WAS NOTED BY A PASSER BY. EXPENSE OF REPAIR EXCEEDED THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #723952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 24 Feb 2000 ROY, WA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON FOUR OCCASIONS, ONE INCIDENT RESULTED IN VEHICLE COLLISION, VEHICLE CRASH INTO GARAGE, RECALL ON 1991 ESCORTS (90V-076) HOWEVER VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO YEAR BUILT. MJS

NHTSA complaint #549877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 13 Sep 1999 Dayton, OH Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER HAS NOT DETERMINED THE CAUSE.

NHTSA complaint #847584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 26 Feb 1999 Clovis, NM 1 killed

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE ACCIDENT DUE TO ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND EXTREME VIBRATION CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL RESULTING IN FATALITY. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).

NHTSA complaint #527843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 2 Dec 1998 Catlett, VA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

WHILE DRIVING IGINITON SWITCH WAS VERY HOT. WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT INTO THE STORE THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE IGINITON SWITCH BEING HOT AND BURNED THE STARTER.

NHTSA complaint #831643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 2 Jun 2022 San Tan Valley, AZ

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I have a very bad gas leak and have Always smelt fuel since I have owned the car, the front suspension is also affected and my rear lights are faulty

NHTSA complaint #11467234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 2 Jun 2022 San Tan Valley, AZ

SUSPENSION

I have a very bad gas leak and have Always smelt fuel since I have owned the car, the front suspension is also affected and my rear lights are faulty

NHTSA complaint #11467234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 2 Jun 2022 San Tan Valley, AZ

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I have a very bad gas leak and have Always smelt fuel since I have owned the car, the front suspension is also affected and my rear lights are faulty

NHTSA complaint #11467234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 14 Aug 2009 at 131,000 miles Fredericksburg, VA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD ESCORT. AFTER FILLING UP THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL, THE CONTACT DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE AND PARKED. ONE HOUR LATER, HE NOTICED A SMALL PUDDLE OF GASOLINE ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. HE STATED THAT THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL LINE OR FUEL TUBE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 92V117000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA92012 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED BECAUSE THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 131,000. UPDATED 11/03/09 *BF UPDATED 11/03/09.

NHTSA complaint #10280421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 14 Jul 2008 at 12,000 miles Deming, NM

TIRES:SIDEWALL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD ESCORT. THE VEHICLE HAS BIG O PRESTIGE RADIAL MAX TIRES, SIZE 175/70/R13 (NA). THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SIDEWALLS ON THE FRONT TWO TIRES WERE CRACKING. BECAUSE THE TIRES EXCEEDED THE ONE YEAR WARRANTY, THE DEALER WOULD BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER HAS THE TIRES. THE DOT AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 12,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/10/08.

NHTSA complaint #10234178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 6 Oct 2006 at 139,000 miles Vancouver, WA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THERE WAS A SMELL OF FUEL IN THE CABIN. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A NHTSA RECALL #92V117000 PERTAINING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE ORIGINAL OWNER ALSO NOTICED THE SMELL OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE BUT CHOSE TO DRIVE IT AT LESS THAN A FULL TANK.

NHTSA complaint #10170093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 11 Aug 2006 Oradell, NJ

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLAMP LENS IS TURNING CLOUDY WITH AGE, REDUCING AMOUNT OF LIGHT ON ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #10165289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 10 Apr 2006 Portland, OR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

MY PATIENT HAD GONE TO HIS DIALYSIS APPOINTMENT AND WHEN HE GOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND TURNED THE KEY IT WOULD NOT START. HE WAITED FOR A BIT AND TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT STARTED. AS HE WAS DRIVING HOME, THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. HE HAD SOME PEOPLE HELP PUSH IT AROUND THE CORNER AND CALLED ME TO GET IT TOWED TO HIS HOUSE. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE VEHICLE I TRIED IT AND IT SEEMED AS THOUGH IT HAD A DEAD BATTERY. I CALLED AAA TO COME GIVE ME A JUMP AND WAITED FOR AN HOUR. WHEN THEY AAA GOT THERE AND GOT OUT OF THEIR TRUCK, THEY GOT IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AND TURNED THE KEY AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP WITH NO JUMP. WE TOOK A LOOK AT THE IGNITION WHEN WE GOT HOME AND TURNED THE KEY AND IT WAS STICKING BUT IT TURNED ON. I WAS HAVING THE CAR BROUGHT INTO A SHOP TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND IT DIED AGAIN. WHEN TRIED TO RESTART THE PIN IN THE END OF THE IGNITION SNAPPED OFF AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED TO THE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION. OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 9 MONTHS THE IGNITION HAS STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR AT FIRST BUT AFTER IT WAS REPLACED FOUND OUT THAT IT WASN'T THAT. IT OVER CHARGES THE BATTERY AND HAS SERIOUS POWER SURGES AND THEN JUST DIES LIKE NOTHING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS AND NOW IT JUST WONT START AT ALL. I KNOW IT ISN'T THE BATTERY, STARTER OR ALTERNATOR. I BELIEVE IT TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE STARTED DOESN'T ENGAGE WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY BUT ALL THE POWER COMES ON.

NHTSA complaint #10154922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 21 Nov 2005 at 74,838 miles Lake Havasu City, AZ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

GASOLINE LEAKS FROM TOP OF GAS TANK WHEN FILLED. THERE IS A RECALL (NHTSA# 92V-117, FORD # 92S54 ) I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY HAD NO RECORD OF RECALL, AND TOLD ME IT WAS TO OLD TO CHECK. I THEN CALLED FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT, AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL HAD BEEN CLOSED.

NHTSA complaint #10143393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 17 Nov 2005 National City, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 92V117000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE.

NHTSA complaint #10143063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 17 Dec 2004 at 76,365 miles Southfield, MI

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION OR WHILE IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE.

NHTSA complaint #10105007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Apr 2004 at 111,000 miles Greeley, CO

SEAT BELTS

THE ATOMATIC SEATBELT IS NOT RUNNING IN IT'S TRACK CONTINUOUSLY. IT HAS DECIDED TO WORK WHEN AND IF IT FEELS LIKE IT. THE PAINT STARTED PEELING ON THE TOP OF THE TRUNK IN 1998 OR 99 APPROXIMATELY, I HAVE NEVER HAD THE MONEY TO GET THE PAINT FIXED. I DID HOWEVER GET THE SIDE PAINTED WHEN I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN 1993. THAT PAINT HAS BUBBLED. I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT IT COST ME, I THINK JUST MY INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE AT THAT TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10068870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Apr 2004 at 111,000 miles Greeley, CO

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NHTSA complaint #10068870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 8 Dec 2003 at 136,000 miles Lakeside, AZ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

RECALL 92V117000 CONCERNING FUEL PUMP FAILURE. ANYTIME THE CONSUMER GETS INTO THE VEHICLE THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. CONSUMER IS NOT SURE IF HER VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10050201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 23 Sep 2003 at 102,239 miles Rockbridge, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD STARTED SMOKING. THE DRIVER PULLED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED A GARAGE. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10040363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 8 Sep 2003 Danville, IL

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

ELECTRICAL FAILURE; DRIVER'S SIDE LAP BELT; DASH LIGHTS(SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE HEAT TEMP & REVOLOTION GUAGE), RADIO LIGHTS, DRIVER'S DOOR BUZZER/ OVERHEAD LIGHT; A/C,/ HEATER FAN INTERMITTENT. IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, X2, BOTH BRAKE LIGHT BULBS REPLACED: COURTESY LIGHT IN TRUNK NEEDS REPLACED. HAS NEVER BEEN TO GARAGE, TO BE REPAIRED, FOR ANY ABOVE ELECTRICAL.EXCEPTION, IGNITION REPLACED BY GARAGE X1.