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1992 Ford Escort

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1992 Ford Escort do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 101.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 11 of 162 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 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports17 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

162 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2022
Exterior LightingFuel/propulsion SystemSuspension

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

NHTSA ODI #11467234

131,000 miles · Aug 14, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10280421

12,000 miles · Jul 14, 2008
Tires

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10234178

139,000 miles · Oct 6, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10170093

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2006
Exterior Lighting

HEADLAMP LENS IS TURNING CLOUDY WITH AGE, REDUCING AMOUNT OF LIGHT ON ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #10165289

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2006
Electrical System

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 ARRIV…

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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 ON. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10154922

74,838 miles · Nov 21, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

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

NHTSA ODI #10143393

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

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

NHTSA ODI #10143063

76,365 miles · Dec 17, 2004
Power Train

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION OR WHILE IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10105007

102,239 miles · Feb 10, 2004
Electrical System

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

NHTSA ODI #10040363

Official recalls

2

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.

92V103000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Jul 13, 1992

THE STOP LAMP SWITCHES COULD INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTION RESULTING IN THE STOP LAMPS NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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

1

EA94002 · Fuel Pump Wiring Shortage

Opened Jan 28, 1994 · Closed Jan 31, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available