Engine
1.9L 4-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 107 of 143 complaints with a usable failure date.
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Electrical system
85 complaint records52 fire reports
"IGNITION SWITCH: ON LISTENING TO RADIO WHEN SOMEONE PULLED UP AND TOLD HER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
28 complaint records9 fire reports
"CONSUMER WAS DRIVING CAR, SMELLED SMOKE, WAS ON HER WAY HOME, PARKED CAR IN DRIVEWAY AND CAUGHT ON FIRE PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Seat belts
17 complaint records3 crash reports
"THE REAR PASSENGER SEATBELTS GO UNDER THE SEATS AND CAN'T GET THEM BACK UP AND THE DRIVERS SEATBELT AS WELL. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse seat belts parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE90063 opened Mar 1990 | closed Jul 1990 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT D-RING There is no summary currently available |
| EA90008 opened Dec 1989 | closed Dec 1991 | Seat Belts | FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINT WE HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS REPORTS WHICH ALLEGE A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM.ADDITIONAL REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED TO RESTRAIN/ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE OCCUPANT DURING AN ACCIDENT |
| PE89143 opened Jul 1989 | closed Dec 1989 | Seat Belts | PASSIVE BELT FAILURE === |
| EA88038 opened Aug 1988 | closed May 1990 | Seat Belts | REAR SAFETY BELT FIT === |
| DP88007 opened Jan 1988 | closed Aug 1988 | Seat Belts | REAR SEAT BELT COMPLIANCE REAR SEAT BELT COMPLIANCE |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96V071000 | Electrical System | THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT. | Normally free |
| 87V139000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995212 1995-11-29 | Electrical | 834,368 | A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED. |
| 1993165 1993-12-06 | Emissions | 14,444 | NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9 LITRE ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES MAY RELEASE CARBON MONOXIDE EXHAUST EMISSIONS WHICH EXCEED THE REQUIREMENTS OF C.M.V.S.S 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. |
| 1989155 1989-11-06 | Seats And Restraints | 87,418 | THE FORWARD OUTBOARD PEDESTAL OF THE SEAT TRACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURE. FRACTURE OF THIS PEDESTAL WOULD PERMIT A LIMITED DEGREE OF ROCKING MOTION OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT ASSEMBLY UPON ACCELERATION OR... |
| 1987098 1987-09-09 | Fuel System | 295,731 | ON VEHICLES WITH EFI OR CFI, THE SPRING-LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING USED TO CONNECT THE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES TO THE EFI FUEL RAILS OR TO THE CFI THROTTLE BODIES AS WELL AS OTHER FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS NEAR THE DASH PANELS ON SOME... |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01156 Aug 2001 | Visibility | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC | |
| 01157 Aug 2001 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC | |
| 00188 Sep 2000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CONCERNS WITH PREMATURE FAILURE OCCURING ON THE 1.9L MOTORCRAFT REMANUFACTURED LONGBLOCK ASSEMBLY AND SHORTBLOCK ASSEMBLY DUE TO INGESTION OF FOREIGN OBJECTS REMAINING IN THE TRANSFERRED INTAKE SYSTEM FROM THE ORIGINAL FAILED ENGINE. *JB | |
| 0015 Jan 2000 | Power Train | INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS | |
| 99222 Oct 1999 | Electrical System | SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT |
Show 20 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99196 Sep 1999 | Equipment | INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT | |
| 99152 Jul 1999 | Power Train | INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT | |
| 98246 Dec 1998 | Electrical System | FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC | |
| 9888 Apr 1998 | Power Train | INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC | |
| 9852 Apr 1998 | Tires | INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC | |
| 9874 Apr 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC | |
| 9864 Mar 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 985A13 Mar 1998 | Service Brakes | THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC | |
| 9848 Mar 1998 | Equipment | ANNOUNCING THE FORD OEM AIR CONDITIONING RETROFIT KIT AVAILABILITY. *YC | |
| 97511 Mar 1997 | Power Train | FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD | |
| 962612 Dec 1996 | Power Train | TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW | |
| 96246 Nov 1996 | Electrical System | WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW | |
| 96249 Nov 1996 | Power Train | TORQUE CONVERTER - LEAK TEST PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TW | |
| 96221 Oct 1996 | Visibility | WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW | |
| 95212 Oct 1995 | Service Brakes | THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IT MAY BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE RUBBER MATERIAL USED IN THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM. | |
| 95161 Aug 1995 | Structure | SHEET METAL-ROOF PANEL AND DRIP RAIL REPLACEMENT- SEAM SEALER APPLICATION PROCEDURE.*SD | |
| 9582 Apr 1995 | Visibility | A REVISED SERVICE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS NOW AVAILABLE. *TW | |
| 9562 Mar 1995 | Service Brakes | ROUGHNESS CONCERN DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. *TW | |
| SFA/94L01 Mar 1995 | Service Brakes | UNKNOWN | |
| 94238 Nov 1994 | Vehicle Speed Control | ROUGH RUNNING AT STEADY HIGHWAY CRUISE SPEEDS. *TW |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Pull and release every belt.A belt that retracts slowly or a buckle that will not latch matches this vehicle's seat-belt cluster.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 2 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Ford Escort →