RoadVitals

1994 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.
279
Latest Oct 21, 2018
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.
67
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 5, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 279 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 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 279 · page 1 of 12

Seat belts
Filed Oct 21, 2018

AUTOMATIC SEATBELT IS JAMMED AND SEATBELT NO LONGER WORKS

NHTSA ID
11141699
Incident
Sep 24, 2018
Mileage
52,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Sep 19, 2012

1994 FORD ESCORT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSIVE RESTRAINT SHOULDER BELT NOT WORKING FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STOP AT MID-TRACK AND BOUNCING THE DOOR AGAINST THE HINGE WOULD GET IT TO MOVE. TWO WEEKS AGO, IT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACK. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE COULD HEAR THE MOTOR TRYING TO MAKE IT MOVE. SHE LEFT IT ALONE AND ABOUT FOUR DAYS LATER, IT RESUMED OPERATING. A WEEK LATER, IT FROZE AGAIN, A LITTLE MORE FORWARD IN THE TRACK THAN PREVIOUSLY.

NHTSA ID
10476361
Incident
Sep 1, 2012
Airbags
Filed Jun 23, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V218000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,404.

NHTSA ID
10408678
Incident
Jun 3, 2011
Mileage
115,404 mi
Seat belts
Filed Oct 29, 2007

DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT REMAINS OPERATIVE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REMEDY THIS FAULT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10207294
Incident
Oct 9, 2007
Electrical
Filed Jun 18, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO DIM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. AS OF JUNE 18, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, POWERTRAIN, AND # OF CYLINDERS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94,000.

NHTSA ID
10193618
Incident
Jun 16, 2007
Mileage
94,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 13, 2007
Fire reported

1994 FORD ESCORT CUSTOMER WANTS INFO ABOUT ENGINE CATCHING FIRE**CC *JB

NHTSA ID
10185822
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Seat belts
Filed Dec 18, 2006

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD ESCORT. THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT IS JAMMED. THE CONTACT'S SEATBELT IS MOTORIZED AND WHEN YOU CLOSE THE DOOR IT RETRACTS HALF WAY AND IS STUCK, IT WONT MOVE LEFT OR RIGHT. SEATBELT WILL NOT SECURE HIM IN PLACE. YESTERDAY IS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME OF THIS INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10176476
Incident
Dec 17, 2006
Mileage
180,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 1, 2006
Fire reported1 injury reported

HEADLIGHT COVER CLOUDED FROM AGE. DRIVERS CAN'T SEE WELL AT NIGHT. I'VE NOTICED THAT ALL ESCORTS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO NOTICED A RECALL ON REPLACEMENT LIGHTING THAT LEADS TO SUGGEST THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT COVERS. WHY ISN'T MANUFACTURE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS? ESPECIALLY SAFETY PARTS. PREVIOUS OWNER HIT SOMETHING SLIGHTLY. I BELIEVE THIS IS DUE TO LACK OF ADEQUATE LIGHTING. *NM

NHTSA ID
10172397
Incident
Mar 19, 2006
Mileage
97,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 8, 2006

I HAVE A 1994 FORD ESCORT STATION WAGON, THE DRIVER SIDE RETRACTABLE SEAT BELT FAILED AND WILL NOT WORK. *NM

NHTSA ID
10157013
Incident
May 4, 2006
Mileage
80,180 mi
Transmission
Filed May 6, 2006

AFTER WE CAME HOME OUR CAR LOCKED INTO PARK, IT WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN MY HUSBAND REMOVED THE COVER , THE SPRING INSIDE IS TOTALLY SCREWED UP. IT WOULD BE FATAL IF THIS LOCKED UP WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. WE HAVE TWO KIDS THIS IT A FORD SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.*JB

NHTSA ID
10156900
Incident
May 5, 2006
Mileage
97,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 26, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. UPON INSPECTION BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE LEFT FRONT AND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. THERE WERE PIECES OF METAL FROM THE SPRINGS BROKEN OFF WHICH WAS CAUSING THE RATTLING SOUND. UPDATED 05/16/2006. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10156148
Incident
Apr 26, 2006
Mileage
38,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jul 24, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE 1994 FORD ESCORT IS A VERY POORLY MADE CAR. MOST OF THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH AUTOMATIC SEATBELTS, THE MOTORS OF WHICH ALMOST ALWAYS FAIL. OURS WAS NO EXCEPTION. WE HAD A MANUAL SEATBELT INSTALLED-- AT OUR EXPENSE-- AND TODAY THAT MANUAL SEATBELT SAVED MY HUSBAND'S LIFE IN A ROLLOVER CRASH. IMAGINE IF HE HAD ONLY HAD A LAPBELT! FORD REPEATEDLY DENIES THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT FOR EVERY 10 ESCORTS I SEE THAT WERE MADE ABOUT THE SAME TIME, 9 OF THEM HAVE AT LEAST ONE FAILED SEATBELT. IN ADDITION, THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A ROLLOVER CRASH GOING SOME 75 MPH. I CAN'T SAY IF MY HUSBAND'S INJURIES WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS SEVERE HAD THE AIRBAG GONE OFF, BUT I DO KNOW THAT I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
10129817
Incident
Jul 23, 2005
Engine
Filed Apr 6, 2005

ENGINE FAILURE. THE HEAD ON THE 1.9 LITRE ENGINES HAVE A BUILT IN FLAW. THE INTAKE VALVE ON NUMBER 4 CYLINDER FAILS. THE VALVE SEAT BREAKS APART CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE PISTON AND ALSO THE HEAD. 4 VEHICLES FOUND TO HAVE THIS DEFECT WHILE WE WERE LOOKING FOR A USED REPLACEMENT HEAD.*AK

NHTSA ID
10116483
Incident
Mar 27, 2005
Mileage
142,708 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 28, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported1 death reported

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IDLING WHEN IT SUDDENLY WENT IN REVERSE. THE DRIVER HUNG ON TO THE OPEN DOOR OF HIS 1994 FORD ESCORT AND WAS DRAGGED FOR 100 FEET. *NM THE CONSUMER WAS DRAGGED 100 FEET AND HAD GOTTEN TRAPPED BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE PAVEMENT AND WAS SUFFOCATED. *SC

NHTSA ID
10114900
Incident
Dec 16, 2004
Mileage
45,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jan 22, 2005
Crash reported1 death reported

FATAL DEATH DUE TO POSIBLE TRANSMISSION GOING INTO REVERSE FROM PARK WHILE VEHICLE IN IDLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10107741
Incident
Dec 16, 2004
Mileage
45,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Oct 18, 2004

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER PASSIVE RESTRAINT SEAT BELTS WERE IN OPERATIVE. BOTH SEAT BELTS WERE STUCK AT THE TOP OF THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10097090
Incident
Sep 15, 2004
Brakes
Filed Oct 7, 2004
Crash reported

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE,IT AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10095444
Incident
Oct 7, 2004
Electrical
Filed Apr 26, 2004

IT WAS HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR CONSUMER TO START THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10071555
Incident
Mar 10, 2004
Mileage
55,580 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 1, 2004

WHEN THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE USED VEHICLE, SHE WAS INFORMED THE IGNITION AND CLUTCH PLATE HAD BEEN REPLACED AND THE PARTS WERE UNDER WARRANTY. THE IGNITION FAILED AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. *AK THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10061083
Incident
Mar 1, 2004
Seat belts
Filed Mar 2, 2004

MOTORIZED SEAT BELT FAILURE, JAMMED IN PLACE, NOISE FROM TRACK TRYING TO REPOSITION ITSELF. *AK

NHTSA ID
10060188
Incident
Apr 4, 2000
Seat belts
Filed Jan 15, 2004

THE CABLE FOR THE SEATBELT IS MANGLED, AND THE SEATBELT (SHOULDER) DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA ID
10068872
Incident
May 15, 2003
Mileage
40,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 15, 2003

FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING WAS CRACKED. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK THE SPRING BROKE WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME. THE VEHICLE MADE A "CLUNK" NOISE WHEN IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MIDAS AND THE MECHANIC SHOWED THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE SPRING BROKE IT RUBBED AGAINST THE TIRE AND RUINED IT. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE IN ADDITION TO BOTH SPRING. *PH

NHTSA ID
10022286
Incident
Mar 15, 2003
Mileage
85,694 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 13, 2003

CONSUMER STATED THAT AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH IS FLASHING, INDICATING THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG. IS AFRAID THAT THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY AFTER READING THE OWNER'S MANUAL. CONSUMER TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP/MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD THAT TO CHECK THIS PROBLEM IT WOULD COST HIM $89.00, AND TO REPAIR IT WOULD COST $100.00 PER HOUR. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARING ON DASHBOARD WAS A RECALL FOR SOME FORD ESCORTS, BUT NOT FOR HIS VEHICLE. HE NEED EDHELP WITH THE REPAIR COST.*AK

NHTSA ID
10033871
Incident
Aug 13, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Jun 30, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT GAS LINE "RUBBED THROUGH" AS A RESULT OF COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE FRONT SWAY BAR ,CAUSING A FUEL LEAK.*AK

NHTSA ID
10026201
Electrical
Filed Apr 22, 2003

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: I HAVE NO HEAD LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS OR TURN SIGNALS. POSSIBLE SHORT IN WIRING. DISCOVERED BURNT WIRES AT THE TOP OF THE HATCHBACK. TRIED TO DO A TEMPORARY FIX USING "BOOTS". DID NOT HELP. THE FAULTY WIRES POSSIBLY CAUSED THE MAIN AMP TO BLOW WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE ALTERNATOR TO GO. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10016357
Incident
Apr 19, 2003

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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