IllustrationLEFT TIE ROD SEPERATED AND FRONT WHEEL WOULD NOT RESPOND TO STEERING. *AK
1987 Ford Escort
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1987 Ford Escort do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 101.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escort years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 56 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports26 fire reports3 injury reports
Steering complaints
3 reportsTWO INNER TIE RODS FAILED. *DSH
NOTICED STEERING WHEEL HAD BECOME LOOSE AND GIVING TO ONE SIDE, FOUND STEERING WHEEL WHICH IS CAST IRON INSIDE HAD CRACKED, DUE TO FATIGUE. TT
Official recalls
389V170000 · Seats
Oct 13, 1989
THE FORWARD OUTBOARD PEDESTAL OF THE SEAT TRACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LIMITED DEGREE OF ROCKING MOTIONOF THE DRIVERS SEAT ASSEMBLY UPON ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, WHICH COULDCAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT ON ALL MODELS AND A NEW SEAT TRACK AS NECESSARY
87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Sep 4, 1987
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
87V060000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Apr 27, 1987
LUG NUTS COULD GALL AND POSSIBLY SEIZE ON THE WHEEL STUDS WITHOUT PROVIDING ADEQUATE CLAMPING LOAD ON THE WHEELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEEL STUDS COULD FRACTURE CREATING A RISK OF A WHEELSEPARATING WITH LITTLE FOREWARNING.
Remedy: REPLACE WHEEL LUG NUTS AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE WHEELS AND WHEEL STUDS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
7PE91025 · Fuel Pump Failure
Opened Dec 17, 1990 · Closed Apr 10, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE90063 · Safety Belt D-RING
Opened Mar 21, 1990 · Closed Jul 31, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
EA90008 · Failed Passive Restraint
Opened Dec 27, 1989 · Closed Dec 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
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
PE89143 · Passive Belt Failure
Opened Jul 18, 1989 · Closed Dec 27, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
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EA88038 · Rear Safety Belt Fit
Opened Aug 29, 1988 · Closed May 11, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:rear/other
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PE88046 · Headlamp Switch Failure
Opened Apr 15, 1988 · Closed Jul 11, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
SUMMARY: HEADLAMP SWITCH RETAINING BEZEL CRACKS CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO REMAIN ON AND OCCASIONALLY FLICKER OFF. FORD HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, ARTICLE # 87-11-8, TO REPLACE THE FAULTY BEZEL WITH AN IMPROVED PART.CONCLUSIONS: THE PE SHOULD BE CLOSED IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND.===
DP88007 · Rear Seat Belt Compliance
Opened Jan 11, 1988 · Closed Aug 24, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:rear/other
REAR SEAT BELT COMPLIANCE