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
What owners actually said
576 reports
225,546 miles · May 3, 2006
Seat Belts
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSIVE RESTRAINTS STOP AT THE CORNER OF THE DOOR POST AND DO NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER. THERE IS A GAP OF SIX INCHES BETWEEN THE SAFETY BELTS AND DOOR POST. A REPLACEMENT TRACK FOR THE SAFETY BELT WILL BE OBTAINED THROUGH A SALVAGE YARD TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT, WHO …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSIVE RESTRAINTS STOP AT THE CORNER OF THE DOOR POST AND DO NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER. THERE IS A GAP OF SIX INCHES BETWEEN THE SAFETY BELTS AND DOOR POST. A REPLACEMENT TRACK FOR THE SAFETY BELT WILL BE OBTAINED THROUGH A SALVAGE YARD TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT, WHO IS A MECHANIC, HAS SEEN MANY OF THE 1991 THROUGH 1996 ESCORTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. BECAUSE THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT IS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED, THE CONTACT FEELS THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THESE PASSIVE RESTRAINTS WITH REGULAR SAFETY BELTS.
NHTSA ODI #10156715
70,000 miles · May 1, 2006
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train
WHEN ON HIGHWAY 55 MPH OR MORE TRANSMISSIONS ACTS LIKE IT GOES INTO NEUTRAL HAVE NO OVERDRIVE OR DRIVE THEN ALSO SLIPS IN AND OUT. ALSO HAVE LIKE POWER SURGES WHEN USING THE HEATER IN THE CAR THE ENGINE REVS UP AND DOWN LIKE YOU ARE STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL EVEN WHEN IN PARK HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THESE ISSUES …
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WHEN ON HIGHWAY 55 MPH OR MORE TRANSMISSIONS ACTS LIKE IT GOES INTO NEUTRAL HAVE NO OVERDRIVE OR DRIVE THEN ALSO SLIPS IN AND OUT. ALSO HAVE LIKE POWER SURGES WHEN USING THE HEATER IN THE CAR THE ENGINE REVS UP AND DOWN LIKE YOU ARE STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL EVEN WHEN IN PARK HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THESE ISSUES YET. ALSO HAVE HAD THE REAR WIPER MOTOR AND STUFF REPLACED AND STILL DO NOT GET WASHER SOLVENT TO REAR WIPER THE BRAKE LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF BACK WINDOW DOES NOT WORK EITHER CAUSES STILL UNKNOWN IT IS A 1995 FORD ESCORT LX WAGON WITH ONLY 73000 MILES 1.9 L. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10156484
137,000 miles · Feb 22, 2006
Seat Belts
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AUTOMATIC SEATBELTS HAVE COME OFF THE TRACK. THIS OCCURRED ON BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. BOTH SEATBELT ASSEMBLIES WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10150937
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2006
Seat Belts
MY PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT IS STUCK IN A POSITION SO THAT IT CANNOT BE USEFUL AT ALL IN AN ACCIDENT. IT IS STUCK ALL THE WAY FORWARD SO THAT IT DOESN'T TOUCH THE PASSENGER AT ALL. ALSO, THE DRIVERS SIDE SHOULDER BELT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY "STOP" TO IT - I WORRY IN AN ACCIDENT IT WOULDN'T HOLD ME IN. I CAN'T AFFORD TO …
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MY PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT IS STUCK IN A POSITION SO THAT IT CANNOT BE USEFUL AT ALL IN AN ACCIDENT. IT IS STUCK ALL THE WAY FORWARD SO THAT IT DOESN'T TOUCH THE PASSENGER AT ALL. ALSO, THE DRIVERS SIDE SHOULDER BELT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY "STOP" TO IT - I WORRY IN AN ACCIDENT IT WOULDN'T HOLD ME IN. I CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE THIS IN TO GET IT FIXED AND WOULD LIKE FORD TO FIX IT FOR FREE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING CONTINUOUSLY IN THE 6 MONTHS I'VE HAD THE CAR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10149193
114,860 miles · Oct 10, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
I OWN A 1995 FORD ESCORT LX [XXX] WHICH HAS A LEAKING FUEL TANK. I CHECKED YOUR (NHTSA) WEB SITE AND FOUND "TWO RECALLS" FOR THIS PROBLEM. I WHEN TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS,(A.C. COLLINS FORD, PASADENA TEXAS) AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ISSUED FOR MY CAR BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER. BUT THE VIN NUMBER CLEARLY STATES…
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I OWN A 1995 FORD ESCORT LX [XXX] WHICH HAS A LEAKING FUEL TANK. I CHECKED YOUR (NHTSA) WEB SITE AND FOUND "TWO RECALLS" FOR THIS PROBLEM. I WHEN TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS,(A.C. COLLINS FORD, PASADENA TEXAS) AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ISSUED FOR MY CAR BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER. BUT THE VIN NUMBER CLEARLY STATES THE ENGINE SIZE 1.9 L, ASSEMBLY PLANT: WAYNE IND. AND IT WAS SOLD AND STILL IS REGISTERED AND USED IN PASADENA /HOUSTON TEXAS. WHICH IS THE SAME INFORMATION AS SHOWN IN THE NHTSA'S RECALL NOTICE. NOTE: THE MILEAGE AND PURCHASE DATES ARE ESTIMATES DUE TO THE CAR BEING AT THE DEALER AT THIS MOMENT. *JB UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #10139189
90,000 miles · Sep 23, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL TANK HAS HAIR LINE CRACKS ON LEFT SIDE WHERE HEAT SHIELD MOUNTS TO SPACER. 2 RECALLS MY VIN# ISN'T INCLUDED NOT SURE WHY. TALKED TO DEALER AND FORD HOTLINE THEY WONT FIX. SAFETY HAZARD/ MANUFACTURER DEFECT. WOULD LIKE PROBLEM RESOLVED. THANK YOU. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10137471
102,000 miles · Sep 23, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT: CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A LEAK IN GAS TANK. HE NOTICED THIS ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. HE SAW A RECALL ON THE INTERNET REGARDING LEAKING GAS TANKS . HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY TOLD HIM THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN MEXICO.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10137456
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2005
Exterior Lighting
THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES ON THE HEADLIGHTS OF MY 1995 FORD ESCORT LX HAVE BECOME CLOUDY, YELLOWED AND OPAQUE. THIS CUTS DOWN NOTICEABLY ON THE ABILITY OF THE HEADLIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AT NIGHT, TRULY A SAFETY HAZARD. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10135888
120,976 miles · Sep 2, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT: THE VEHICLE HAD A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK WHICH WAS DISCOVERED AFTER A LONG TRIP. CONSUMER DISCOVERED SMALL DROPLETS OF GASOLINE ON THE GROUND. THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER NOTED THERE WAS A RECALL 97V144000, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL…
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DT: THE VEHICLE HAD A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK WHICH WAS DISCOVERED AFTER A LONG TRIP. CONSUMER DISCOVERED SMALL DROPLETS OF GASOLINE ON THE GROUND. THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER NOTED THERE WAS A RECALL 97V144000, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN . NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT CONSUMER HAS BEEN INSTRUCTED NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE DUE TO THE LEAK AND THE HOT SUMMER CONDITIONS EXPERIENCED IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA WHERE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT. THE DEALER THINKS IT IS SIGNIFICANT ABOUT THE TEMPERATURE CHANGE BECAUSE CONSUMER TRAVELED FORM EAST COAST TO THAT STATE. *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10128937
130,000 miles · Aug 24, 2005
Fuel System, Other
STARTED SMELLING PROFUSE GAS FUMES IN MY 1995 ESCORT LX. TOOK IN TO MEINEIKE TO BE REPAIRED. THEY FOUND THAT THE GAS TANK WAS CRACKED DUE TO HEAT SHIELD. THIS IS THE MONTH OF AUGUST IN MISSISSIPPI AND THE HEAT FACTOR HAS BEEN OVER 100 FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT CERTAIN ESCORTS HAD NO GAP BETWE…
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STARTED SMELLING PROFUSE GAS FUMES IN MY 1995 ESCORT LX. TOOK IN TO MEINEIKE TO BE REPAIRED. THEY FOUND THAT THE GAS TANK WAS CRACKED DUE TO HEAT SHIELD. THIS IS THE MONTH OF AUGUST IN MISSISSIPPI AND THE HEAT FACTOR HAS BEEN OVER 100 FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT CERTAIN ESCORTS HAD NO GAP BETWEEN HEAT SHIELD AND GAS TANK AND WAS UNDER RECALL FROM 1997. THIS MODEL CAME UP NOT UNDER RECALL BUT PROBLEM WAS INDICATIVE OF RECALL MODELS. FORD REFUSES TO INVESTIGATE MY CLAIM. THE REMEDY FOR FIXING RECALLED MODELS WAS TO MAKE A GAP BETWEEN HEATSHEILD AND GAS TANK. THERE IS NO GAP BETWEEN HEAT SHIELD AND GAS TANK ON MY CAR. THIS MODEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER THE RECALL.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗