RoadVitals

1991 Ford Escort Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest May 1, 2008
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 327 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1991 Ford Escort submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalSteering
Filed May 1, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD ESCORT LX. THE CONTACT POURED BRAKE FLUID INTO THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE BLED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION, AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS SPEWING FORTH POWER STEERING FLUID. THE ALTERNATOR WAS LOPSIDED AND ITS SCREWS WERE MISSING. THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS REMOVED AND THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW THE REASON. WHEN SHE ARRIVED HOME AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO RESTART AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE WOULD SEND A TOW, BUT ONE NEVER ARRIVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ID
10226363
Incident
Apr 26, 2008
Mileage
101,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 7, 2002

STEERING WHEEL UNEXPECTEDLY LOCKS UP DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE WHILE IDLING OR TRAVELING 40 MPH AROUND A LONG CURVE. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM, AND WAS NOT SHOWING THIS VEHICLE BEING INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 93V057000 (IGNITION: ANTI-THEFT). PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
8001632
Incident
Jan 7, 2002
Steering
Filed Oct 25, 1999

PINS THAT HOLD THE TIE ROD IN PLACE WERE NOT LOCATED ON THIS VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWY AT 35-40 MPH THE BOLT DISENGAGED, CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK UP, AND LOSS OF STEERING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
851609
Steering
Filed Oct 25, 1999

WHILE EXITING OFF A RAMP AT 35MPH THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING NOISE, AND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE TURNED INWARD AND LOCKED UP. DEALER SAID THE VEHICLE NEEDED PINS AND BOLTS FOR THE ROD. *AK

NHTSA ID
851592
Steering
Filed Jul 29, 1999

THE DRAPER PULLEY BROKE AND SNAPPED, CAUSING POWER STEERING BELT TO BRAKE, RESULTING IN NO POWER STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
843787
Incident
Jul 25, 1999
Exterior lightingSteering
Filed Jul 9, 1999

THEIR ARE THREE BRAKE LIGHTS. FROM WITHIN THE CENTER LIGHT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT BECAUSE BRAKE LIGHT MELTED THE PLASTIC. ALSO, DEALER REPLACED BOTH STEERING TIE RODS. *AK

NHTSA ID
842010
Incident
Apr 19, 1999
Steering
Filed May 9, 1997

RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD BROKE.

NHTSA ID
517113
Incident
Apr 2, 1997
Steering
Filed Apr 30, 1997

RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD BROKE DUE TO WEAR.

NHTSA ID
516856
Incident
Apr 2, 1997
Steering
Filed Apr 28, 1997

CONSUMER STATED WHEN DRIVING AT 30 TO 35 MPH THE RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD END BROKE WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A RAPID STOP. *AK

NHTSA ID
811764
Incident
Apr 2, 1997
Steering
Filed Nov 26, 1996

INNER TIE ROD FAILED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK

NHTSA ID
511702
Incident
Nov 19, 1996
Steering
Filed Jun 6, 1996
Crash reported

STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY DUE TO OUTER TIE ROD FAILING, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/CRASH. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF COMPLETE FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID
985357
Incident
Feb 20, 1996
Steering
Filed Sep 20, 1995

SCREW AT BASE OF STEERING COLUMN CAME LOOSE. CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. PLEASE DESCRIBE OTHER PROBLEMS. TT

NHTSA ID
972252
Incident
Sep 19, 1992

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .