1989 Ford Escort Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1989 Ford Escort, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical5934.3%
- Engine2212.8%
- Seat belts1911.0%
- Interior & seats137.6%
- Fuel system127.0%
- Driver assistance95.2%
- Exterior lighting95.2%
- Transmission84.7%
- Steering74.1%
- Brakes42.3%
- Other / unspecified31.7%
- Body & structure21.2%
- Suspension21.2%
- Visibility10.6%
- Heating & air conditioning10.6%
- Powertrain (other)10.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
1989 FORD ESCORT HATCHBACK - A PASSENGER EXITING THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR SEAT STEPPED ON AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE CARPET WHICH CAUSED THE +12V AND GROUND WIRES TO SHORT TOGETHER. THIS CONNECTOR IS PART OF THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP HARNESS. THE CONNECTOR MELTED, THE WIRE HARNESS BURNED AND THE CARPET SINGED. THERE WAS SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *JB
ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED ALTERNATOR. ALSO, THE SECOND ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE AT THE GAS PUMP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE BLAZE. CONSUMER CLAIMED IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE INSTALLATION THAT CAUSED THE FIRE. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
1989 FORD ESCORT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE AND ONCE HE/SHE PULLED OVER, THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *JB
IT RAN LIKE A CHARM UNTIL 1 DAY I SLOWED TO GO TO DRIVEWAY, AND STALLED. IT STARTS BACK UP. *AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD ESCORT. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE SHE WAS REAR-ENDED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO HER HEAD AREA. SHE MENTIONED SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELTS AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH AND BELIEVED THE FAILURE OF THE SEATBELTS CONTRIBUTED TO HER INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
IN TRYING TO BUY RECYCLEED PARTS I ENCOUNTERED MANY INSTANCESES OF THE SAME PROBLEM
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT THIS 1989 ESCORT GT FROM A FAMILY MEMBER AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BROKEN WHEN HE HAD THE CAR. I HAVE TRIED TO LOCATE ANOTHER SEAT, BUT APPARENTLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ESCORT GTS SEATS SINCE I CANNOT FIND ANOTHER ONE IN STOCK ANYWHERE OR IN ANY LOCAL JUNKYARDS. THE BACK OF THE SEAT IS BROKEN AND I HAVE TO PUT THE SPLIT-BACK SEAT IN THE DOWN POSITION (LEAVING THE TRUNK EXPOSED FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR) TO HOLD THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. IF I HAVE MORE THEN TWO PASSENGERS IN THE CAR, I HAVE TO PUT THE BACK SEAT BACK UP, LEAVING THE DRIVER'S SEAT LEANING TOO FAR BACK TO BE IN A POSITION TO DRIVE SAFELY. *AK
THE SEATBACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS BROKEN. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. THE SEAT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MHTSA#92-V-117-000:FATIGUE CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN TUBE AND THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER,THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED BECAUSE YEAR OF MANUFACTURING, 1989. *AK
GAS TANK FAILED TWICE. NLM
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
A CLAMP FROM THE THROTTLE BODY DISLODGED AND ENTERED THE ENGINE RESULTING IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. *ET
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED. WHEN GOING UP A HILL OR GOING AROUND A CORNER CONSUMER WILL APPLY THE BRAKES, AND THAT WILL STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND SAT THERE UNTIL THE HEADLIGHTS CAME ON TWO HOURS LATER. CONSUMER HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE HE BOUGHT THE CAR WHICH WAS BRAND NEW . *AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE STALLS ALOT, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS. OWNER HAS TO BLOW DRY DISTRIBUTOR CAP BEFORE VEHICLE WILL START AGAIN. ALSO, WHEN DEPRESSING CLUTCH PEDAL, VEHICLE STALLS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. CLUTCH HAS BEEN REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING HEARD LOUD NOISE, SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING DRAGGING UNDER VEHICLE, CAUSED BY BROKEN TEETH AROUND GEAR, COULD CAUSE CRASH, AUTO REPAIR REPLACED GEARS, OUTER CV BOOT, AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. *AK
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING HEARD LOUD NOISE, SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING DRAGGING UNDER VEHICLE, CAUSED BY BROKEN TEETH AROUND GEAR, COULD CAUSE CRASH, AUTO REPAIR REPLACED GEARS, OUTER CV BOOT, AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. *AK
INNER TIE ROD FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. PLEASE DESCRIBE.*AK
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE ALTERNATOR WHILE IN TRAFFIC. *AK CONSUMER HAD A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED, PARKING BRAKE CABLE RECONNECTED, A UNE WAS PERFORMED, WATER PUMP REPLACED, REPLACED BRAKE PADS,DISC PAD SHIMS AND ROTORS, NEW ALTERNATOR, NEW TRANSMISSION GASKET, COOLANT FAN MOTOR INSTALLED WHICH WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME, INNER TIE RODS AND OUTER TIE RODS WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED, EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE REPLACED, STARTER WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME,TIMING BELT FAILED WHILE TRAVELING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, UNDETECTED PROBLEM WITH DIFFERENTIAL CAUSED DESTRUCTION OF TRANSMISSION.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEELS MAY HAVE LOCKED AS IN SERVICE BULLETIN T1 91-02-05, ONLY THIS OCCURED ON AN ICY ROAD. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE RESULTING IN A CRASH.
RIGHT FRONT WHEEL STUDS SHEARED OFF, CAUSING WHEEL TO FALL OFF. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
HOOD WILL NOT STAY DOWN, BECAME UNLATCHED AND FLEW UP WHILE DRIVING. DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK
ROOF FELL DOWN WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURIES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE ALTERNATOR WHILE IN TRAFFIC. *AK CONSUMER HAD A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED, PARKING BRAKE CABLE RECONNECTED, A UNE WAS PERFORMED, WATER PUMP REPLACED, REPLACED BRAKE PADS,DISC PAD SHIMS AND ROTORS, NEW ALTERNATOR, NEW TRANSMISSION GASKET, COOLANT FAN MOTOR INSTALLED WHICH WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME, INNER TIE RODS AND OUTER TIE RODS WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED, EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE REPLACED, STARTER WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME,TIMING BELT FAILED WHILE TRAVELING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, UNDETECTED PROBLEM WITH DIFFERENTIAL CAUSED DESTRUCTION OF TRANSMISSION.*JB
FRONT STRUTS AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS KEEP BREAKING. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOX CONNECTING WITH HEAT COIL IS MISSING , NO CONNECTION THAT WILL START HEAT/AIR. DEALER KNOWS THAT IT WAS AN OVERSIGHT OF MANUFACTURER, BUT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT WARRANTY THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT DUE TO NO HEATER AND DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER, HE GOT SICK, DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT SINCE HE NEVER NOTICED THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE THE HEATER OR DEFROSTER INSTALLED THAT THIS WAS HIS PROBLEM SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT, CONSUMER WAS FROM HAWAII WHERE HE NEVER HAD TO USE THE HEATER OR DEFROSTER AND NEVER REALIZED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD LEFT THIS OUT. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
INNER TIE ROD FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING HEARD LOUD NOISE, SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING DRAGGING UNDER VEHICLE, CAUSED BY BROKEN TEETH AROUND GEAR, COULD CAUSE CRASH, AUTO REPAIR REPLACED GEARS, OUTER CV BOOT, AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .