IllustrationENGINE HAD OVERHEATED/ MELTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK
1995 Ford Escort
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Escort years
Owner complaints for the 1995 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: 81 of 576 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 152 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 129 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
75 crash reports19 fire reports53 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
54 reportsWHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN ENGINE OVERHEATED, AND AT TIME OF DRIVING ENGINE STALLED. *AK
THE CAR GOT ALCOHOL SMELL SINCE THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT IT. THEN IT MADE ME DIZZY & COUGH BADLY ALL THE TIME , SOMETIME I WAS THINKING THAT IF SOMEBODY LIGHT UP A CIGARETTE WHICH MAY PUT MY CAR INTO FIRE SINCE THERE ARE ALCOHOL SMELL ALL OVER. I BEGAN OPEN ALL THE WINDOWS WHENEVER I DRIVE THIS CAR ( NO MATTER HOW COLD IT IS, OR…
Read full complaint
THE CAR GOT ALCOHOL SMELL SINCE THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT IT. THEN IT MADE ME DIZZY & COUGH BADLY ALL THE TIME , SOMETIME I WAS THINKING THAT IF SOMEBODY LIGHT UP A CIGARETTE WHICH MAY PUT MY CAR INTO FIRE SINCE THERE ARE ALCOHOL SMELL ALL OVER. I BEGAN OPEN ALL THE WINDOWS WHENEVER I DRIVE THIS CAR ( NO MATTER HOW COLD IT IS, OR EVEN WHEN IT IS RAINING.). AND BESIDES DRIVE IT TO WORK, I NEVER DRIVE IT DURING THE WEEKEND. BECAUSE I THINK MY BODY NEED SOME REST FROM THIS CAR. I DID NOT KNOW HOW BAD IT COULD BE UNTILL I READ A BOOK TALK ABOUT HOW DANGEROUS THE EMITTED GASSES FROM THE CAR COULD HURT PEOPLE'S HEALTH, AFTER I READ THAT BOOK I STOPPED TO DRIVE THE CAR & BEGIN TO FIND OUT HOW TO TAKE CARE THE PROBLEM. BEFORE I AM SURE THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE, I WOULD NOT DRIVE IT OR SALE TO OTHER PEOPLE. I WISH NO BODY WILL GET HURT BY THIS CAR. PLEASE TAKE CARE THIS CAR'S PROBLEM. OTHERWISE I REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO WITH THIS CAR. I AM TAKING BUS EVEYDAY TO GO TO WORK SINCE JAN. AND THE DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. FORD TOLD ME TO CALL YOUR DEPT. IS THERE A KIND EQUIPMENT WHICH CAN TEST THE INSIDE CAR AIR QUALITY TO SEE IS IT SAFE TO HUMAN HEALTH. ? , IT WOULD NOT BE GOOD IF ANY BODY GET DIZZY (CO,O3,HC,...) FROM THE BAD AIR QUALITY INSIDE THE CAR ON THE HIGH WAY. I THINK THERE SHOUD BE A EQUIPMENT FOR THE PUBLIC TO CHECK THEIR INSIDE CAR AIR QUILITY, SO EVERYBODY KNOW THEY ARE SAFE TO BREATH IN THE CAR AND SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT HURT THEIR HEALTH & NOT HURT OTHER PEOPLE ON THE HIGH WAY. WE NEED SUCH A EQUIPMENT. & EVERY CAR SOLD FROM THE DEALER SHOULD. PASS THE "INSIDE AIR QUILITY " TEST. PLEASE HELP ME !!!!! THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.*AK
SERPENTINE BELT LOCKING UP WHILE ENGINE STILL RUNNING. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER ALSO HEARD THE MOTORIZED SOUND WHILE ENGINE WAS CUT OFF AND DOORS ARE AJAR.
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45PH ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE . VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT ENGINE BLEW A ROD/THERE WAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AND IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
VEHICLE DOES NOT IDLE CORRECTLY AND HAS STALLED A COUPLE TIMES, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 3 OCCASIONS BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. NLM
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK DEALER REPLACED PLUGS AND GASKET, HOWEVER STALLING STILL EXISTS. *SLC
CONSUMER HAS REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH 3 TIMES WITHIN 5 YEARS. VEHICLE HAS CAUGHT ON FIRE ONCE FROM IGNITION, THE DAY AFTER THE STARTER HAD BEEN REPLACED. STARTER, STARTER SOLENOID, IGNITION SWITCH(WHICH HAD MELTED TO THE SWITCH), AND O2 SENSOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN TRYING TO START VE…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER HAS REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH 3 TIMES WITHIN 5 YEARS. VEHICLE HAS CAUGHT ON FIRE ONCE FROM IGNITION, THE DAY AFTER THE STARTER HAD BEEN REPLACED. STARTER, STARTER SOLENOID, IGNITION SWITCH(WHICH HAD MELTED TO THE SWITCH), AND O2 SENSOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN TRYING TO START VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE BEING COLD, IT WOULD CRANK SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NEVER START UNTIL TURNING KEY OFF AND BACK ON. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE LIGHT BECOMING ILLUMINATED, DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER THE ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES ON OCCASIONALLY. PCV VALVE WAS ALSO REPLACED. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPING VEHICLE STALLED. TOOK TO DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED SPARK PLUG AND GASKET. BUT VEHICLE VEHICLE STILL NOT WORKING.*AK
SOMETIMES WHEN I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AND GET BACK IN IT WITHIN AN HOUR OR 2 IT THE CAR WILL START BUT WILL NOT HOLD AN IDLE. IN ORDER FOR ME TO GET THE CAR GOING I HAVE TO HAVE MY FOOT ON THE CLUTCH AND GAS AT THE SAME TIME AND AFTER 10-15 MIN IT WILL 'CATCH' AND STAY RUNNING. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN THERE SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW AN…
Read full complaint
SOMETIMES WHEN I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AND GET BACK IN IT WITHIN AN HOUR OR 2 IT THE CAR WILL START BUT WILL NOT HOLD AN IDLE. IN ORDER FOR ME TO GET THE CAR GOING I HAVE TO HAVE MY FOOT ON THE CLUTCH AND GAS AT THE SAME TIME AND AFTER 10-15 MIN IT WILL 'CATCH' AND STAY RUNNING. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN THERE SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW AND I TOOK IT IN TO WALDORF FORD AND THEY LOOKED AT IT WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRENTY AND THEY SAID THEIR WAS NO PROBLEM AT ALL. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS FALLS WITHIN THE LAWSUIT THAT IN PENDING IN MARYLAND. PLEASE CONTACT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO SEE IF THIS CAN BE RESOLVEDTHANK YOU
Official recalls
497V144000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Sep 3, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO OR WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANTS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN NEVADA, FLORIDA, HAWAII, TEXAS, CALIFORNIA, LOUISIANA, GEORGIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, MISSISSIPPI, OKLAHOMA, ALABAMA AND ARKANSAS. CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK WALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENTS. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT HEAT SHIELD LOCATION OR FUNCTION, AS THE ATTACHMENTS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP THE SHIELD IN PLACE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSTALLATION, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS RETAIN THE HEAT SHIELD.
97V145000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Sep 3, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ARIZONA. CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK WALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENTS. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT HEAT SHIELD LOCATION OR FUNCTION, AS THE ATTACHMENTS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP THE SHIELD IN PLACE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSTALLATION, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS RETAIN THE HEAT SHIELD.
94V218000 · Air Bags:frontal
Nov 10, 1994
THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CAN HAVE AN INADEQUATELY WELDED INFLATOR CANISTER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE WELD SEAM CAN SEPARATE, CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO FAIL TO DEPLOY PROPERLY AND HOT GASES TO BE EXPELLED FROM THE BACK OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY FROM THE HOT GASES AND THE AIR BAG FAILURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG MODULE.
94V197000 · Air Bags:frontal
Oct 11, 1994
TWO BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM MODULE TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE MISSING. IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT, THE MODULE CAN COME OUT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS WOULD NOT RESTRAIN THE PASSENGER AND WOULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL AND TORQUE TO SPECIFICATION THE MOUNTING BOLTS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG.
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
1RQ97010 · Fuel Tank Assembly
Opened Sep 11, 1997 · Closed May 22, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
There is no summary currently available