1993 Ford Escort

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 379 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the seat belts. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Seat Belts54
413
Vehicle Speed Control41
804
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly23
000
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage17
101
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch15
020
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor14
101
Power Train › Automatic Transmission14
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine11
000
Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf Spring Assembly7
000
Seat Belts › Front › Webbing7
203

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

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.

Seats94V055000
Filed Mar 26, 19943,500 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THE LOCK PLATE OF THE DRIVER SIDE INBOARD SEAT TRACK ADJUSTERS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH AN UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATION TO THE FABRICATION PROCESS WHICH CAUSES THE SEAT NOT TO FULLY ENGAGE IN CERTAIN SEATING POSITIONS NEAR THE MID-POINT OF THE SEAT TRACK TRAVEL.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THE SEAT CAN MOVE, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN REDUCED OCCUPANT PROTECTION.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE INBOARD SEAT TRACK.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jul 6, 2012CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD ESCORT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, EXCESSIVE FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S VOLUNTARY RECALL PERTAINING TO THE FUEL TANK HOWEVER THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT PERFORMED NUMEROUS TEMPORARY REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08-07-12 *BF UPDATED 08/08/2012 *JS UPDATED 2/25/13 *CN UPDATED 03/11/2013 *JS

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 16, 2009145,347 milesCA

PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SEATBELT STOPPED WORKING IN OCTOBER 2003, DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT STOPPED WORKING ABOUT FEBRUARY 2004, AUTOMATIC BELT RETRACTORS TRY TO MOVE THEN STOP. A GRINDING / WHIRRING CAN BE HEARD AT TIMES. BOTH BELTS ARE UN USABLE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 15, 2007190,957 milesDE

INITIALLY, THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I THEN CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID, WHICH WAS BELOW MINIMUM REQUIRED. I HAVE NOW FILLED THE REQUIRED LEVEL. YESTERDAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL COMPLETELY FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE - NO COMPRESSION AT ALL. THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES DOWN ALL THE WAY WITH NO COMPRESSION. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BUT LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL DUE TO MANUAL GEAR. *JB

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Aug 2, 2007170,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD ESCORT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A MECHANIC'S GARAGE, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE, THE OTHER VEHICLES IN THE GARAGE, AND THE GARAGE ITSELF. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD OF HIS VEHICLE, POSSIBLY THE IGNITION SWITCH. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE SHOP FOR NEW BRAKES AND TIE RODS. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ

Structure › BodyCrash1 injured1 killed
Filed May 25, 2007OH

AS BRIEFLY AND SUCCINTLY AS I CAN; MY FATHER WAS DRIVING A 1993 FORD ESCORT STATION WAGON ON ONE OF THE LAST DAYS OF WINTER WHEN HE APPARENTLY HIT A PATCH OF BLACK ICE. HE DID GO LEFT OF CENTER AND WAS HIT BY AN ONCOMING VEHICLE (EACH VEHICLE @ 35MPH). MY QUESTION INVOLVES THE SIDE IMPACT CAPABILITY OF THIS MODEL - THE IMPACT WAS AS CLOSE TO BEING RIGHT ON THE "B'" PILLAR AS POSSIBLE AND THIS THING JUST FOLDED IN HALF. THE ROOF FOLDED, THE FLOOR BUCKLED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS TOUCHING THE STEERING WHEEL. AT THIS POINT, I NEED TO EMPHASIZE THIS CAR WAS NOT A BUCKET OF RUST - HE BOUGHT IT USED BECAUSE OF THE LOW MILES AND GREAT CONDITION (MY FATHER, THE ETERNAL BARGAIN HUNTER). ALTHOUGH I'VE LOST MY FATHER TO THIS ACCIDENT, I AM CURIOUS IF THIS WAS AN ANOMOLY OR ARE THESE STATION WAGONS NOTED FOR THIS COLLAPSING FEATURE? IF THIS HASN'T BEEN NOTED BEFORE, I WILL PRESUME THIS WAS A "ONE OF" EVENT, BUT IF THERE ARE OTHERS THAT HAVE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE MODE, I WOULD SAY THERE IS A PROBLEM. AS A SIDE NOTE, I HAVE SEEN WHERE THIS YEAR AND SEVERAL AFTER IT WEREN'T TESTED FOR SIDE IMPACT. ANY INFORMATION YOU MAY HAVE TO SHARE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS, TOM DAVIS

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Mar 31, 20076,000 milesNC

IN 1992 I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 1993 ESCORT GT SPARTANBURG, SC. THE 1ST PART OF THE YEAR EVERYTHING WAS FINE. AFTER, THE CAR WAS IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP TO DATE FOR HESITATION, FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEMS, ODD NOISES AND OTHER THINGS. I FILED FOR LEMON LAW IN 1993-94 IN TEXAS. WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REPLACE THE MOTOR, COULD TAKE UP TO A MONTH BEFORE I GOT THE CAR BACK. WHEN ASKED IF THEY WOULD SUPPLY A LOANER CAR I WAS TOLD NO. WITHOUT FINANCES TO RENT A CAR TO GET TO & FROM WORK (50 MLS DAILY) I COULD NOT ACCEPT THE OFFER AT THAT TIME WITHOUT THEM PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION. OVER THE YEARS, IT'S BEEN 1 PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. SINCE 1994, I REPLACED 3 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, NUMEROUS DIAGNOSTIC MACHINES TO FIND WHY IT WOULD STALL IN IDLE AND NO ACCELERATION AFTER CAR WARMED UP& OTHER THINGS. IN 1995, THE FUEL TANK DEVELOPED A CRACK AT SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN & THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED AT TOP OF TANK RESULTING IN FUMES & GAS LEAKING WHEN FILLED. THREE FORD DEALERSHIPS SAID ONLY 1992 FORD ESCORTS WERE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO EVEN THOUGH IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1992. THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT, DRIVER SIDE QUIT WORKING. WE REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE BUT STILL WON'T WORK. SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WIRING. TWO FORD DEALERSHIPS CAN'T FIX NOR TWO AUTO ELECTRICIANS. I CONTACTED FORD AGAIN UNDER LEMON LAW, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A ONE TIME OFFER. SINCE I REFUSED THE FIRST OFFER, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. RECOMMENDED I SELL THE CAR

Seat Belts
Filed Jan 19, 2007188,000 milesCA

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder
Filed Nov 3, 200639,188 milesSC

THE BRAKES ON OUR 1993 FORD ESCORT LOCKED UP CAUSING CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE. HAD TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER, BOTH FRONT CALIPERS, BOTH ROTORS, ALL HOSES AND PADS. THIS BRAKE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND EVEN DEATH. *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 25, 2005OK

CONSUMER LETTER REGARDING REPLACEMENT TIMING BELT. *TS THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW DOES THE TIMING BELT NEED TO BE REPLACED PERIODICALLY AND IF SO AT WHAT INTERVALS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE GUIDE FOR THE 1.8L STATED THE TIMING BELT SHOULD BE REPLACED EVERY 60,000 MILES, HOWEVER IT DIDN'T MENTION HOW OFTEN THE 1.9L SHOULD BE REPLACED. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 16, 200548,000 milesOH

DT: PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AT A USED LOT. AFTER 90 DAYS THE TRANSMISSION PUMP WENT OUT. BOUGHT IT WITH 48,000 MILES. WENT TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANIC SHOPS, AND THEY SAID IT HAD TOO MUCH WEAR FOR THAT AMOUNT OF MILEAGE. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAME OFF, THE SHOCKS WERE BAD, THE TIRES WERE AL DEFECTIVE, AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE DEALER FROM WHO THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WAS OUT BUSINESS. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Jan 4, 2005CA

FEMALE END OF ELR LAP BELT SPONTAINIOUSLY STOPPED LATCHING. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Dec 6, 200427,000 milesUT

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS. THE BELT WILL TIGHTEN INADVERTENTLY, FEELING AS IF CONSUMER WAS BEING CHOKED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIRS WILL COST $400.00. *AK....ALSO, FRONT FENDER AND MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE ABOVE THE FENDER IS PEELING PAINT, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND GOES OFF WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES AT STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT OR WHENEVER CONSUMER APPLIES THE BRAKES. *AK

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › Cables
Filed Aug 31, 20048,000 milesWI

THE BATTERY CABLE BROKE OFF AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE UNLESS SHE TAPED THE CABLE IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THERE WAS A SPECIAL GROUNDING WIRE FROM THE COMPUTER TO THE CABLE POST WIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED WITH THE FACT THAT THE GROUNDING WIRE WAS NOT CONNECTED TO THE FRAME INSTEAD OF THE BATTERY AND SUGGESTED THAT WITHOUT THIS BRACKET HARNESS WIRE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. *SC *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Feb 24, 2004180,000 milesNH

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. TRIED TURNING THEM ON AND OFF, STILL DIDN'T WORK. THE ONLY REASON THERE WAS NO FIRE OR CRASH IS BECAUSE I USED MY HAZARD LIGHTS TO FIND MY WAY TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. HEADLIGHTS, BEING UP THERE WITH "TIRES", ARE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURES A CAR CAN HAVE, AND THEM FAILING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY IS NOT SOMETHING I PARTICULARLY ENJOY.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 14, 2004180,000 milesDC

VEHICLE'S RPMS STAY HIGH AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED. *MR THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE PEDAL WASN'T STICKY NOR WAS THE THROTTLE CABLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RARELY ILLUMINATED. THIS PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING DURING COLD WEATHER (BELOW 0 DEGREES). THE RPMS REVVED HIGH AND CONTINUED TO RISE WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE "SOLVED" THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW MINUTES OR UNTIL THE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THE AIR INTAKE VALVE WAS CLEANED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. *PH *NM

Suspension › Rear › Springs
Filed Jan 12, 2004MD

WHILE HAVING, THE VEHICLE IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR SERVICE ON OTHER PARTS, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT COIL SPRINGS ON THE REAR SUSPENSION FAILED. ALSO, THERE HAD BEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS ON FORD, ESCORTS CONCERNING THE REAR SPRINGS BEING DEFECTIVE. *AK THERE WAS INTERMITTENT FRONT WHEEL WHINES. THE SERVICE MECHANIC COMMENTED ABOUT THE MANY BROKEN SPRINGS ON THIS MAKE/MODEL. (BOTH REAR SPRINGS WERE FOUND BROKEN) *SC *JB

Electrical System › Wiring › Rear Compartment/TrunkFire
Filed Dec 28, 2003115,330 milesNH

1993 FORD ESCORT STATION WAGON. SHARP METAL EDGE AT WIRING HARNESS ENTRANCE TO STATION WAGON HATCH, CAUSED ABRASION OF WIRING LEADING TO SHORT CIRCUIT AND VEHICLE FIRE.*AK

Power Train
Filed Dec 16, 2003IA

WHILE PUSHING IN THE CLUTCH,THE TRANSMISSION IDLED HIGH . THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HAD THEM TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY AND SENSOR AND REPLACE THE AIR FILTER. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and FittingsFire
Filed Dec 15, 200375,000 milesNC

SMOKED STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, BUT IDLING. WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED WAS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE BECAUSE ALL THE ENGINE COMPONENTS MELTED. MECHANIC INDICATED FIRE STARTED DUE TO A FUEL LINE FAILURE AS STATED IN RECALL 92V117000.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Nov 17, 2003100,000 milesOH

THE FUEL PUMP SHORTED OUT AND BURNT THE WIRING HARNESS. THERE'S A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

20 of 379 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200310100Routine
200233110Routine
200168130Routine
200098220Routine
19993252114Fatalities reported
19983751111Fatalities reported
19975432830High concern
1996205170Above average
19955765201Fatalities reported
19942792165Fatalities reported
1993 — this page3793166Fatalities reported
19921623171Fatalities reported
19913274612Fatalities reported
19901012420High concern

Compare every Escort year →

Reading this record

6 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

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: Mar 23, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.