Electrical System. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports61 fire reports14 injury reports

Steering complaints

12 reports

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101,000 miles · May 1, 2008

Electrical SystemSteering

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD ESCORT LX. THE CONTACT POURED BRAKE FLUID INTO THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE BLED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION, AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS SPEWING FORTH POWER STEERING FLUID. THE ALTERNATOR WAS LOPSIDED AND ITS SCREWS WERE MISSING. THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS REMOVED AND THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW THE REASON. WHEN SHE ARRIVED HOME AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO RESTART AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE WOULD SEND A TOW, BUT ONE NEVER ARRIVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ODI #10226363

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2002

Steering

STEERING WHEEL UNEXPECTEDLY LOCKS UP DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE WHILE IDLING OR TRAVELING 40 MPH AROUND A LONG CURVE. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM, AND WAS NOT SHOWING THIS VEHICLE BEING INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 93V057000 (IGNITION: ANTI-THEFT). PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITION…

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NHTSA ODI #8001632

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 1999

Steering

PINS THAT HOLD THE TIE ROD IN PLACE WERE NOT LOCATED ON THIS VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWY AT 35-40 MPH THE BOLT DISENGAGED, CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK UP, AND LOSS OF STEERING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #851609

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 1999

Steering

WHILE EXITING OFF A RAMP AT 35MPH THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING NOISE, AND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE TURNED INWARD AND LOCKED UP. DEALER SAID THE VEHICLE NEEDED PINS AND BOLTS FOR THE ROD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #851592

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 1999

Steering

THE DRAPER PULLEY BROKE AND SNAPPED, CAUSING POWER STEERING BELT TO BRAKE, RESULTING IN NO POWER STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #843787

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 1999

Exterior LightingSteering

THEIR ARE THREE BRAKE LIGHTS. FROM WITHIN THE CENTER LIGHT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT BECAUSE BRAKE LIGHT MELTED THE PLASTIC. ALSO, DEALER REPLACED BOTH STEERING TIE RODS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #842010

Mileage unknown · May 9, 1997

Steering

RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD BROKE.

NHTSA ODI #517113

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 1997

Steering

RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD BROKE DUE TO WEAR.

NHTSA ODI #516856

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 1997

Steering

CONSUMER STATED WHEN DRIVING AT 30 TO 35 MPH THE RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD END BROKE WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A RAPID STOP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #811764

Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 1996

Steering

INNER TIE ROD FAILED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #511702

Official recalls

93V057000 · Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module

Apr 15, 1993

THE ROLL PINS SECURING THE IGNITION LOCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN HOUSING CAN SEPARATE OR MOVE OUT OF POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER MAY DISENGAGE FROM THESTEERING COLUMN HOUSING WHICH COULD CAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN TO LOCK UP,RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: IF ONE OR BOTH OF THE ROLL PINS ARE MISSING OR NOT FULLY INSERTED, THE IGNITION LOCK HOUSING WILL BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE DOOR-LOCKS AND THE LIFTGATE OR DECK-LID LOCKS SO THAT KEY COMPATIBILITY IS MAINTAINED. IF BOTH PINS ARE PRESENT AND FULLY INSERTED, A PLASTIC SNAP-ON SLEEVE WILL BE INSTALLED AS A PRECAUTION TO PREVENT THE ROLL PINS FROM COMING OUT.

92V117000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Aug 19, 1992

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: INSTALL A NEW FUEL PUMP SENDING ASSEMBLY.

90V076000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Apr 17, 1990

INTERFERENCE OCCUR BETWEEN BOLT THAT SECURES A FUEL LINE SHIELD TO THE LOWER PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK AT THE WIDE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION AND RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL WITH THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: CUT OFF EXTRA LENGTH OF BOLT THAT PROTRUDES ABOVE SURFACE OF WELD NUT TO PREVENT INTERFERENCE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗