FUEL TANK CRACKED AT THE TOP, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK.
1993 Ford Escort
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Escort years
Owner complaints for the 1993 Ford Escort are substantially higher than 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: 22 of 379 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.
- Seat Belts. Review the 109 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
46 reportsSMELL OF GAS FUMES INSIDE/OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE; CHECKED UNDER VEHICLE AFTER SMELLING FUMES IN PARKING LOT; GAS WAS LEAKING FROM TOP OF GAS TANK; PROBLEM CORRECTED 1 YEAR AGO, HAS REOCCURRED; FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZARDS. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED.
THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO GET FUEL TANK GASKET REPLACED. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE FROM SERVICE, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO FILL THE TANK WITH GAS. WITHIN A FEW MILES NOTICED AN ODOR OF GAS AND GAS LEAK. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO FIBD PROBLEM. *AK
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON PERIODICALLY. HEADLIGHTS SOMETIMES WORK ONLY ON HIGH BEAM. IN ADDITION, FUEL CUT OFF LIGHT SOMETIMES FLASHES. ALSO, BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY. *AK
INTAKE VALVE BROKE, DAMAGING COMBUSTION CHAMBER.
FUEL TANK NOT DESIGNED W/BAFFLES TO PREVENTS FUEL FROM MOVING AROUND ERRATICALLY.
SMELLS GAS WHENEVER PUTTING GAS INTO THE VEHICLE, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF FILLING UP THE TANK OR NOT. VEHICLE NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR PROBLEM. *AK
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE WHEN FUELING THE VEHICLE, DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO FIND PROBLEM. TT
FUEL TANK HAS A HOLE IN IT. HAD FIXED, HAS TO BE FIXED AGAIN. TT
Official recalls
194V055000 · Seats
Mar 26, 1994
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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
1EA94002 · 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
Illustration