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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.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

1 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 1999
SeatsVehicle Speed Control

DRIVER SIDE SEAT RECLINING MECHANISM FAILED, RESULTING IN INABILITY OF DRIVER TO SIT UP STRAIGHT WITHOUT CLINGING TO STEERING WHEEL WHEN ACCELERATING. TEETH ON RECLINING LEVER WHICH MESH WITH TEETH ON SEAT TRACK SEEM TO HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. ADDITIONALLY, BAD THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR HAS CAUSED VERY HIGH IDLE SPEED MULTIPLE TIMES…

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DRIVER SIDE SEAT RECLINING MECHANISM FAILED, RESULTING IN INABILITY OF DRIVER TO SIT UP STRAIGHT WITHOUT CLINGING TO STEERING WHEEL WHEN ACCELERATING. TEETH ON RECLINING LEVER WHICH MESH WITH TEETH ON SEAT TRACK SEEM TO HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. ADDITIONALLY, BAD THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR HAS CAUSED VERY HIGH IDLE SPEED MULTIPLE TIMES, PROBLEM IS WORST DURING RAIN/SNOW. AT TIMES, IDLE SPEED SET SO HIGH THAT BRAKING TO A STOP WOULD STALL THE VEHICLE. TPS REPLACED TWICE, PROBLEM PERSISTS DURING WET WEATHER.

NHTSA ODI #703928

Official recalls

3

89V170000 · 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

7

PE91025 · 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