Owners filed 162 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel system, gasoline › storage › tank assembly. It has been recalled 3 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
19
0
0
0
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
14
0
5
0
Seat Belts
12
3
0
4
Vehicle Speed Control
9
1
0
0
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
8
1
0
1
Fuel System, Gasoline
7
0
1
0
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
6
0
3
0
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
5
0
1
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
5
0
1
0
Electrical System › Ignition
5
0
2
0
3 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Suspension › Front94E019000
Filed Jun 2, 1994919 vehiclesDana Corporation
Defect. THE OFFSET TOE ADJUSTING PIN CAN FRACTURE UNDER CONDITIONS SUCH AS TORSIONAL LOADS, FLEXING MOTION, IMPACT LOADS, AND OVERTORQUING.
Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL ANDAN ACCIDENT.
Remedy. DANA WILL PAY FOR REPLACEMENT AND LABOR COSTS OF THE ADJUSTMENT PIN WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE INSTALLING FACILITY AND THE VEHICLE OWNER. THESE PINS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY A FORD ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PIN ASSEMBLY. OWNER OR INSTALLER INQUIRIES CONCERNING THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN SHOULD CONTACT DANA SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-248-9606.
Fuel System, Gasoline92V117000
Filed Aug 19, 199222,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. 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.
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.
Filed Jul 13, 199243,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. THE STOP LAMP SWITCHES COULD INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTION RESULTING IN THE STOP LAMPS NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN FOLLOWING MOTORISTS NOT BEINGSIGNALED THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING, AND COULD RESULT IN A COLLISION.
Remedy. REPLACE THE FAULTY STOP LAMP SWITCHES.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 2, 2022AZ
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
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 14, 2009131,000 milesVA
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.*JB
Tires › Sidewall
Filed Jul 14, 200812,000 milesNM
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. *JB
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 6, 2006139,000 milesWA
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.
Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Aug 11, 2006NJ
HEADLAMP LENS IS TURNING CLOUDY WITH AGE, REDUCING AMOUNT OF LIGHT ON ROAD.
Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Apr 10, 2006OR
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 O
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Nov 21, 200574,838 milesAZ
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. *NM
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Nov 17, 2005CA
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. *AK
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 17, 200476,365 milesMI
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION OR WHILE IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE. *JB
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Feb 10, 2004102,239 milesOH
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 *NM
Seat Belts
Filed Jan 15, 2004111,000 milesCO
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Dec 8, 2003136,000 milesAZ
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. *AK
Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Sep 8, 2003IL
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.*AK
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Mar 7, 2003168,000 milesMO
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.*JB
Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion Bar
Filed Jan 3, 200339,000 milesCA
THE CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE TANK. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED A HOLE IN THE TANK. THE TANK HAD LEAKED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE V.I.N. WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RELATED RECALL 92V117000. TS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, A SUSPENSION BAR WAS NEEDED, AND WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED TO KEEP THE FUEL AT HALF FULL. SCC
Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 27, 2002MN
WHILE TRAVELLING ON THE HIGHWAY THERE ARE FUEL VAPORS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *MR
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 20, 2002WA
THE ENGINE HAD CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING. ALSO THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AT TIMES. THE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. *YH THE SEAT BELTS HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, THE REAR DISC BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE CABLE IS WORKING, BUT NOT NOT APPLYING PRESSURE, AND THE V/C IS LEAKING. (V/C PER INVOICE) THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE PROBLEM, SEEM TO BE COMING FROM THE IGNITION. *SCC
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Apr 2, 2002OK
THERE WAS A RECALL ON ELECTRICAL HARNESS IN FUEL SYSTEM, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN RECALL; HOWEVER, HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. HAS CONTACTED FORD, MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE VEHICLE DID NOT APPLY WITH RECALL THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE.*AK
Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Filed Mar 26, 2002NY
FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK, THE CONSUMER CAN SMELL FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE CONSUMER NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL ON THE GROUND WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE REAR TANK IS FULL, THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. NLM THERE IS A RECALL 92V117000 TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT. CONSUMER REPLACED 4/7/1994. *TT
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 14, 2002CA
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE IT WILL CUT OFF. ONCE EXITING A RAMP VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY HAVE REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH 4 TIMES.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE HAD LOSS OF POWER IN THE MORNING THREE TIMES. *YD
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jun 2, 1994. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.