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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 →

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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

129 reports
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99,650 miles · Jul 11, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, HE SMELLED GASOLINE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT WHENEVER THE TANK IS FILLED MORE THAN HALFWAY, GASOLINE BEGINS TO LEAK FROM THE TANK. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, HE SMELLED GASOLINE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT WHENEVER THE TANK IS FILLED MORE THAN HALFWAY, GASOLINE BEGINS TO LEAK FROM THE TANK. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,650.

NHTSA ODI #10234011

99,554 miles · Jul 7, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

I AM WRITING ABOUT MY 1995 FORD ESCORT WITH A 1.9L ENGINE. THERE IS AN ABSOLUTE SAFETY HAZARD ON MY VEHICLE. I SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN 1997 FOR A LEAKING FUEL TANK. AND THE TANK ON MY CAR IS NOW LEAKING. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL BUT I FIND IT PECULIAR THAT I AM …

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I AM WRITING ABOUT MY 1995 FORD ESCORT WITH A 1.9L ENGINE. THERE IS AN ABSOLUTE SAFETY HAZARD ON MY VEHICLE. I SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN 1997 FOR A LEAKING FUEL TANK. AND THE TANK ON MY CAR IS NOW LEAKING. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL BUT I FIND IT PECULIAR THAT I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FIRST THING THEY TOLD ME BEFORE LOOKING ANYTHING UP WAS "THAT RECALL IS EXPIRED ANYWAY BUT SEE A SERVICE MANAGER" EXPIRED HOW CAN A SAFETY HAZARD BE EXPIRED? DO YOU NOT STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCTS!!! I THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT I AM HANDLED THAT WAY WHAT BECAUSE I DRIVE AN OLDER CAR. AM I NOT IMPORTANT? I WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE ASAP ABOUT THIS SAFETY HAZARD!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233435

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

1995 FORD ESCORT WITH A DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FORD TOLD HIM THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. HE STATES THAT THE FUEL TANK HAS A CRACK IN IT AND CAN ONLY BE FILLED LESS THAN HALFWAY WITHOUT IT LEAKING. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TANK WAS DEFECTIVE DURING INSTALLATION, AS THE HEAT SHIELD WAS STILL BOLT…

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1995 FORD ESCORT WITH A DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FORD TOLD HIM THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. HE STATES THAT THE FUEL TANK HAS A CRACK IN IT AND CAN ONLY BE FILLED LESS THAN HALFWAY WITHOUT IT LEAKING. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TANK WAS DEFECTIVE DURING INSTALLATION, AS THE HEAT SHIELD WAS STILL BOLTED TO THE TANK AND ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, A CRACK COULD DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK UNDER EXTREME HEAT IF NOT REMOVED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10228413

100,000 miles · May 1, 2008
Fuel System, GasolineFuel System, OtherUnknown Or Other

> FROM: GALLY > COMMENTS: > GREETINGS, > > PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT WE RECENTLY PURCHASED THE ABOVE SUBJECT VEHICLE, AND NOW WE ARE EXPERIENCING A FUEL LEAK FROM THE PLASTIC GAS TANK. THE LEAK COMES FROM THE SAME LOCATION THAT THE NHTSA RECALLS (REFERENCED ABOVE) OCCUR. > > I HAVE SPOKEN ON THE PHONE BOTH WITH F…

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> FROM: GALLY > COMMENTS: > GREETINGS, > > PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT WE RECENTLY PURCHASED THE ABOVE SUBJECT VEHICLE, AND NOW WE ARE EXPERIENCING A FUEL LEAK FROM THE PLASTIC GAS TANK. THE LEAK COMES FROM THE SAME LOCATION THAT THE NHTSA RECALLS (REFERENCED ABOVE) OCCUR. > > I HAVE SPOKEN ON THE PHONE BOTH WITH FORD CORPORATE AND THE LOCAL DEALER ( HELLER FORD, ESCONDIDO, CA. ) AND HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, NOR WOULD THERE BE ANY ASSISTANCE IN HAVING THE REPAIR MADE AT THE MANUFACTURER OR DEALER EXPENSE. > > IN MY RESEARCH OF THE VEHICLE AND RECALLS SPECIFIC TO THE 1995 ESCORT MODEL, I CAME ACROSS VARIOUS DOCUMENTS ONLINE WHICH LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT ANY VEHICLE OF SIMILAR MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR WHICH HAD SIMILAR DEFECTS AS THE VEHICLES SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL MENTIONED ABOVE, SHOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE MANUFACTURER OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVE (THE DEALER) AND REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WOULD THEN BE RECOVERED BY THE DEALER FROM THE MANUFACTURER. PLEASE REFER TO FORD RECALL SERVICE BULLETIN 97S79 PAGE TWO. > > AN ADDED NOTE. CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS THE SOLE SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION FOR MY GIRLFRIENDS DAUGHTER AND HER 1 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER. THEIR SAFETY IS OUR PRIMARY CONCERN, AS WELL AS THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. > > PLEASE ENSURE A TIMELY RESPONSE TO THIS ISSUE. WE WISH TO HAVE THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY AND HOPE TO DISCOVER THAT FORD STANDS BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS, THEIR REPUTATION, AND EXISTING AND FUTURE CUSTOMERS. > > PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AT THIS ADDRESS OR CALL ME DIRECTLY.> ?*TR

NHTSA ODI #10226422

153,248 miles · Feb 20, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,248 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 158,248. UPDATED 3/11/08 *CN UPDATED 03/11/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218671

123,413 miles · Nov 4, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA ID# 97V144000, RECALLS 1995 FORD ESCORTS FOR CRACKS IN THE FUEL TANKS. I BOUGHT A USED FORD ESCORT AND A CRACK HAS DEVELOPED EXACTLY AS STATED IN THE RECALL. I E-MAILED FORD BUT THEY SAY MY VIN # HAS NO RECALLS ON IT. AND WILL NOT HELP EVEN AFTER TELLING THEM OF THE RECALL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10207878

64,345 miles · Sep 4, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS AND DISCOVERED A FUEL LEAK TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 97V144000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY) AND WILL NOT HONOR THE REPLACEMENT. A N…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS AND DISCOVERED A FUEL LEAK TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 97V144000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY) AND WILL NOT HONOR THE REPLACEMENT. A NEW FUEL TANK WOULD COST $470. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,445 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,345. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEAT SHIELD WAS NOT REMOVED FROM THE TANK AND THE HEAT CAUSED THE TANK TO CRACK UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ODI #10201831

80,000 miles · Aug 1, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. ON JULY 31,2007, THE FUEL TANK BEGAN LEAKING. THE VEHICLE USED UP A TANK OF GAS IN A 12-HOUR PERIOD. RECALL NUMBER 97V144000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY) WAS REFERENCED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND FAILURE SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10198155

100,000 miles · Jul 18, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK IS CRACKED AND LEAKING. HE STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL #'S 97V144000 AND 97V145000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME FAILURES AS NOTED IN THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK IS CRACKED AND LEAKING. HE STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL #'S 97V144000 AND 97V145000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME FAILURES AS NOTED IN THE RECALLS. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10196706

207,206 miles · May 24, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

I OWN A 1995 FORD ESCORT WAGON THAT WAS IN COLORADO FOR 11 YEARS, AND THIS YEAR -- 2007 -- I MOVED TO PHOENIX ARIZONA. LAST WEEK I NOTICED A LEAK UNDER THE CAR AND SUSPECTED IT WAS GASOLINE. I WAS ALBE TO CONFIRM IT YESTERDAY AND NOTICED IT HAD BECOME MUCH WORSE. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALER, AND SUSPECTED A DEFECT AFTER THEY D…

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I OWN A 1995 FORD ESCORT WAGON THAT WAS IN COLORADO FOR 11 YEARS, AND THIS YEAR -- 2007 -- I MOVED TO PHOENIX ARIZONA. LAST WEEK I NOTICED A LEAK UNDER THE CAR AND SUSPECTED IT WAS GASOLINE. I WAS ALBE TO CONFIRM IT YESTERDAY AND NOTICED IT HAD BECOME MUCH WORSE. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALER, AND SUSPECTED A DEFECT AFTER THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A CRACKED FUEL TANK. I SUSPECTED THAT THIS WAS ABNORMAL AND DID A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH WHICH LEAD ME TO THIS WEBSITE AND A HOST OF INFORMATION OF AN EXISTING RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK WHEN IT IT RESIDES IN AREAS WITH A HOT CLIMATE AND FLUCTUATING EXTREMES IN TEMPERATURE. I DID FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE VIN AND COULD DETERMINE THAT THIS CAR HAD ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE TANKS INSTALLED. HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, AND INSISTS THAT I AM THE ONE WHO MUST PURSUE REMUNERATION. I AM HERE GIVING NOTICE OF THE EXISTENCE OF ANOTHER CAR WITH THIS PROBLEM, AND ALSO NOTICE OF THE FAILURE OF BELL FORD TO COMPLY WITH COMPENSATION TO ME OF THIS SERVICE AND PARTS FOR NO FEE.

NHTSA ODI #10191610

Official recalls

4

97V144000 · 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

1

RQ97010 · 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