RoadVitals

1992 Ford Escort Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
162
Latest Jun 2, 2022
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
24
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 12, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 162 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Ford Escort. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 162 · page 1 of 7

Fuel systemExterior lightingSuspension
Filed Jun 2, 2022

I have a very bad gas leak and have Always smelt fuel since I have owned the car, the front suspension is also affected and my rear lights are faulty

NHTSA ID
11467234
Incident
May 27, 2022
Fuel system
Filed Aug 14, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD ESCORT. AFTER FILLING UP THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL, THE CONTACT DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE AND PARKED. ONE HOUR LATER, HE NOTICED A SMALL PUDDLE OF GASOLINE ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. HE STATED THAT THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL LINE OR FUEL TUBE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 92V117000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA92012 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED BECAUSE THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 131,000. UPDATED 11/03/09 *BF UPDATED 11/03/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10280421
Incident
Aug 13, 2009
Mileage
131,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 14, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD ESCORT. THE VEHICLE HAS BIG O PRESTIGE RADIAL MAX TIRES, SIZE 175/70/R13 (NA). THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SIDEWALLS ON THE FRONT TWO TIRES WERE CRACKING. BECAUSE THE TIRES EXCEEDED THE ONE YEAR WARRANTY, THE DEALER WOULD BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER HAS THE TIRES. THE DOT AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 12,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/10/08. *JB

NHTSA ID
10234178
Incident
Jul 5, 2008
Mileage
12,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 6, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THERE WAS A SMELL OF FUEL IN THE CABIN. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A NHTSA RECALL #92V117000 PERTAINING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE ORIGINAL OWNER ALSO NOTICED THE SMELL OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE BUT CHOSE TO DRIVE IT AT LESS THAN A FULL TANK.

NHTSA ID
10170093
Incident
May 15, 2006
Mileage
139,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 11, 2006

HEADLAMP LENS IS TURNING CLOUDY WITH AGE, REDUCING AMOUNT OF LIGHT ON ROAD.

NHTSA ID
10165289
Incident
Aug 11, 2006
Electrical
Filed Apr 10, 2006

MY PATIENT HAD GONE TO HIS DIALYSIS APPOINTMENT AND WHEN HE GOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND TURNED THE KEY IT WOULD NOT START. HE WAITED FOR A BIT AND TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT STARTED. AS HE WAS DRIVING HOME, THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. HE HAD SOME PEOPLE HELP PUSH IT AROUND THE CORNER AND CALLED ME TO GET IT TOWED TO HIS HOUSE. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE VEHICLE I TRIED IT AND IT SEEMED AS THOUGH IT HAD A DEAD BATTERY. I CALLED AAA TO COME GIVE ME A JUMP AND WAITED FOR AN HOUR. WHEN THEY AAA GOT THERE AND GOT OUT OF THEIR TRUCK, THEY GOT IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AND TURNED THE KEY AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP WITH NO JUMP. WE TOOK A LOOK AT THE IGNITION WHEN WE GOT HOME AND TURNED THE KEY AND IT WAS STICKING BUT IT TURNED ON. I WAS HAVING THE CAR BROUGHT INTO A SHOP TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND IT DIED AGAIN. WHEN TRIED TO RESTART THE PIN IN THE END OF THE IGNITION SNAPPED OFF AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED TO THE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION. OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 9 MONTHS THE IGNITION HAS STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR AT FIRST BUT AFTER IT WAS REPLACED FOUND OUT THAT IT WASN'T THAT. IT OVER CHARGES THE BATTERY AND HAS SERIOUS POWER SURGES AND THEN JUST DIES LIKE NOTHING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS AND NOW IT JUST WONT START AT ALL. I KNOW IT ISN'T THE BATTERY, STARTER OR ALTERNATOR. I BELIEVE IT TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE STARTED DOESN'T ENGAGE WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY BUT ALL THE POWER COMES ON. *JB

NHTSA ID
10154922
Incident
Apr 10, 2006
Fuel system
Filed Nov 21, 2005

GASOLINE LEAKS FROM TOP OF GAS TANK WHEN FILLED. THERE IS A RECALL (NHTSA# 92V-117, FORD # 92S54 ) I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY HAD NO RECORD OF RECALL, AND TOLD ME IT WAS TO OLD TO CHECK. I THEN CALLED FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT, AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL HAD BEEN CLOSED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10143393
Incident
Nov 19, 2005
Mileage
74,838 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 17, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 92V117000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10143063
Incident
Aug 8, 2005
Transmission
Filed Dec 17, 2004

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION OR WHILE IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10105007
Incident
Nov 20, 2004
Mileage
76,365 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 10, 2004

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD STARTED SMOKING. THE DRIVER PULLED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED A GARAGE. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10040363
Incident
Sep 9, 2003
Mileage
102,239 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jan 15, 2004

THE ATOMATIC SEATBELT IS NOT RUNNING IN IT'S TRACK CONTINUOUSLY. IT HAS DECIDED TO WORK WHEN AND IF IT FEELS LIKE IT. THE PAINT STARTED PEELING ON THE TOP OF THE TRUNK IN 1998 OR 99 APPROXIMATELY, I HAVE NEVER HAD THE MONEY TO GET THE PAINT FIXED. I DID HOWEVER GET THE SIDE PAINTED WHEN I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN 1993. THAT PAINT HAS BUBBLED. I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT IT COST ME, I THINK JUST MY INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE AT THAT TIME.

NHTSA ID
10068870
Incident
Nov 15, 2003
Mileage
111,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 8, 2003

RECALL 92V117000 CONCERNING FUEL PUMP FAILURE. ANYTIME THE CONSUMER GETS INTO THE VEHICLE THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. CONSUMER IS NOT SURE IF HER VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10050201
Incident
Nov 18, 2003
Mileage
136,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Sep 8, 2003

ELECTRICAL FAILURE; DRIVER'S SIDE LAP BELT; DASH LIGHTS(SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE HEAT TEMP & REVOLOTION GUAGE), RADIO LIGHTS, DRIVER'S DOOR BUZZER/ OVERHEAD LIGHT; A/C,/ HEATER FAN INTERMITTENT. IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, X2, BOTH BRAKE LIGHT BULBS REPLACED: COURTESY LIGHT IN TRUNK NEEDS REPLACED. HAS NEVER BEEN TO GARAGE, TO BE REPAIRED, FOR ANY ABOVE ELECTRICAL.EXCEPTION, IGNITION REPLACED BY GARAGE X1.*AK

NHTSA ID
10037446
Incident
Sep 1, 1996
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 7, 2003
Fire reported

AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE A SHORT DISTANCE THERE WAS THE SMELL OF ELECTRICAL WIRE BURNING AND SOON AFTER, SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE DEFROSTER VENTS. VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND SMOKING QUIT. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS NOTED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD BURNT UP BEYOND REPAIR.*JB

NHTSA ID
10010123
Incident
Feb 26, 2003
Mileage
168,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemSuspension
Filed Jan 3, 2003

THE CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE TANK. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED A HOLE IN THE TANK. THE TANK HAD LEAKED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE V.I.N. WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RELATED RECALL 92V117000. TS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, A SUSPENSION BAR WAS NEEDED, AND WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED TO KEEP THE FUEL AT HALF FULL. SCC

NHTSA ID
10001934
Incident
Dec 20, 2002
Mileage
39,000 mi
Filed Sep 27, 2002

WHILE TRAVELLING ON THE HIGHWAY THERE ARE FUEL VAPORS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *MR

NHTSA ID
8019715
Incident
Sep 27, 2002
BrakesEngineSeat belts
Filed Sep 20, 2002

THE ENGINE HAD CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING. ALSO THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AT TIMES. THE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. *YH THE SEAT BELTS HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, THE REAR DISC BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE CABLE IS WORKING, BUT NOT NOT APPLYING PRESSURE, AND THE V/C IS LEAKING. (V/C PER INVOICE) THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE PROBLEM, SEEM TO BE COMING FROM THE IGNITION. *SCC

NHTSA ID
567598
Incident
Aug 26, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Apr 2, 2002

THERE WAS A RECALL ON ELECTRICAL HARNESS IN FUEL SYSTEM, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN RECALL; HOWEVER, HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. HAS CONTACTED FORD, MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE VEHICLE DID NOT APPLY WITH RECALL THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE.*AK

NHTSA ID
8006856
Fuel system
Filed Mar 26, 2002

FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK, THE CONSUMER CAN SMELL FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE CONSUMER NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL ON THE GROUND WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE REAR TANK IS FULL, THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. NLM THERE IS A RECALL 92V117000 TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT. CONSUMER REPLACED 4/7/1994. *TT

NHTSA ID
8006375
Incident
Mar 25, 2002
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 14, 2002

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE IT WILL CUT OFF. ONCE EXITING A RAMP VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY HAVE REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH 4 TIMES.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE HAD LOSS OF POWER IN THE MORNING THREE TIMES. *YD

NHTSA ID
8005688
Incident
Mar 14, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 8, 2002

WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR VEHICLE ACCELERATES VERY HIGH, MORE THAN NORMAL. IF TAPPING ACCELERATER IT WILL GO BACK DOWN TO NORMAL OR CUT OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
8003808
Incident
Nov 1, 1994
Fuel system
Filed Aug 22, 2001

CRACKS IN JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN AND FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT. LEAKS GAS. POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD.*AK

NHTSA ID
750921
Fuel system
Filed Jun 25, 2001

THERE IS A FUEL ODOR INSIDE PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. ALSO, RECALL 92V117000 WAS ISSUED FOR SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
891070
Incident
Jul 10, 2000
Seat belts
Filed Jun 4, 2001

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK UP. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
889672
Seat belts
Filed Jun 1, 2001

BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS NO LONGER RETRACT. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
889542
Incident
Apr 17, 2001

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.

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