RoadVitals

1995 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.
576
Latest Jan 5, 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.
95
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 Feb 9, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 576 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 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 576 · page 1 of 24

Seat belts
Filed Jan 5, 2018

THE PASSIVE SEAT RESTRAINT DOES NOT RETRACT FULLY. THIS OCCURS WHEN YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. IT HAS TO BE MANUALLY DISCONNECTED. WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE ON IT HESITATES BEFORE RETRACTING TO DRIVERS BODY. THE CAR IS STATIONARY WHEN THIS OCCURS.

NHTSA ID
11060790
Incident
Dec 22, 2017
Mileage
151,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL WAS OBSERVED LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V144000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART FOR THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

NHTSA ID
10852903
Incident
Mar 30, 2016
Mileage
85,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 9, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR EMITTING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAT SHIELD AND FUEL TANK WERE CRACKED A NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V144000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,341. ...UPDATED 11/02/15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED BECAUSE THE HOLD DOWN HARDWARE FOR THE HEAT SHIELD WAS NVER REMOVED PER THE REQUIRED REPAIR FOR THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 11/05/15.*JB

NHTSA ID
10762556
Incident
Jun 18, 2015
Mileage
135,341 mi
Fuel systemSeat belts
Filed Nov 15, 2014

STRONG ORDER OF GAS FROM GAS TANK, TOOK IT TO MECHANIC, SAID I HAVE A HOLE IN GAS TANK... DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT , CLICKING NOISE, WIRES CAME OUT , HANGING, NOW BELT IS STUCK...HAD TO REMOVE FUSE, TO STOP LOUD ANNOYING CLICKING NOISE... *TR

NHTSA ID
10655158
Incident
Nov 15, 2014
Fuel system
Filed Jun 18, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ID
10604316
Incident
Dec 16, 2013
Mileage
78,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Apr 10, 2014

PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT QUIT WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACK, THE CABLE WAS HANGING DOWN, GOT GREASE ALLOVER, INCLUDING ON ME. DISCONNECTED EVERYTHING ,AND THROUGH IN GARBAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10578809
Incident
Feb 5, 2013
Mileage
149,233 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 6, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL TANK LEAKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,500.

NHTSA ID
10542338
Incident
Aug 24, 2013
Mileage
99,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 24, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10521372
Incident
Apr 1, 2013
Mileage
120,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 25, 2013

I HAVE REPLACED 3 SPEED SENSORS & 2 SPEEDOMETER CABLES & LITHIUM GREASE SENSE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR AND STILL HAVE TRANSMISSION OIL COMING UP THRU THE SPEED CABLE INTO THE DASH.IS THIS JUST A BAD PART OR IS THERE A CURE? *TR

NHTSA ID
10509619
Incident
Aug 28, 2009
Mileage
200,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jan 6, 2013

HELLO, I HAVE A 1995 FORD ESCORT WITH THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT. HAVE REPLACED THE TRACK AND HARDWARE. THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENS ..... THE / OR ONE OF THE GUIDE CABLES COMES OUT OF THE TRACK CASING AND THE LOCK REFUSES TO SHUTTLE. THE MOTOR DOES A CLICK-CLICK ..... CLICK-CLICK AND THE LOCK TRIES TO SHUTTLE BUT DOES NOT. IS THERE A FIX FOR THIS? WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE SHUTTLE TRACK? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10491574
Incident
Jan 6, 2013
Mileage
125,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 28, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING GASOLINE, CAUSED BY A FRACTURE IN THE FUEL TANK WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT OF THE FRACTURE IN THE FUEL TANK WALL. THE MECHANIC ALSO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V145000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ALSO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ID
10490346
Incident
Dec 28, 2011
Mileage
67,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 29, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FRO THE FUEL LEAK FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

NHTSA ID
10472960
Incident
Aug 28, 2012
Mileage
148,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jul 30, 2012

THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION, WHICH GETS IN THE WAY OF THE WHEEL AND PROVIDES NO SAFETY SUPPORT WERE I TO GET IN A CRASH. ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDES SEAT BELT OFTEN GOES WILD AND CONTINUOUSLY OPENS AND CLOSES ON THE PASSENGERS NECK WHEN TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO COVER THE COSTS OF THIS REPAIR AND FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD DO SO CONSIDERING IT PUTS THE DRIVER IN GREAT DANGER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10468359
Incident
Jul 15, 2012
Fuel system
Filed Jul 21, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, HE BEGAN TO SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. UPON ARRIVING AT HOME, THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETECTED A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK, ALONG WITH A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL SEEPAGE AROUND THE RUBBER AFFIXED TO THE FUEL TANK. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V144000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA ID
10413883
Incident
Jul 8, 2011
Mileage
144,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 11, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR WHILE DRIVING HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED HIM TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND STATED HE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V144000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000.

NHTSA ID
10411743
Incident
Jul 1, 2011
Mileage
109,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 27, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAT SHIELD USED FOR THE TANK WAS CAUSING THE LEAK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ID
10409079
Incident
Jun 21, 2011
Mileage
102,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 10, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO AGREED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED WHICH CAUSED THE LEAK. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT SPECIFIC FAILURE ( NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V144000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10381440
Incident
Oct 1, 2009
Mileage
98,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 26, 2010

GASOLINE BEGINS TO DRIP OUT OF FUEL TANK WHEN FUEL TANK IN HALF FILLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10367910
Incident
Nov 14, 2010
Mileage
100,130 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 17, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED THE DAY PRIOR TO NOTICING THE FAILURE. THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WAS READING ONLY ONE HALF FULL WHEN THE TANK SHOULD HAVE BEEN READING FULL. THE CONTACT THEN DISCOVERED A LARGE PUDDLE OF GASOLINE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V145000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY) AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10356146
Incident
Sep 15, 2010
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 8, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK AREA ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK CRACKED DUE TO THE HEAT SHIELD. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V144000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DEFECT. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10354529
Incident
Aug 30, 2010
Engine
Filed Feb 14, 2009
Fire reported

1995 FORD ESCORT WITH 136,000 MILES ON CAR CAUGHT A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT RESULTED IN TOTAL LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10258671
Incident
Feb 13, 2009
Mileage
136,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 6, 2008

FUEL TANK LEAKING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10237201
Incident
Aug 1, 2008
Mileage
128,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 23, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. AFTER SMELLING GASOLINE, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. SHE WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE; THEREFORE, IT WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER. THE DEALER ALSO DISCOVERED A FUEL LEAK AND STATED THAT THE COST FOR THE REPAIR WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $1,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY REPLACED THE GAS TANK AT THE COST OF $780. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V144000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/07/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE HER VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN ANOTHER STATE. UPDATED 10/08/08. *JB

NHTSA ID
10235517
Incident
Jul 14, 2008
Mileage
145,816 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 11, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, HE SMELLED GASOLINE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT WHENEVER THE TANK IS FILLED MORE THAN HALFWAY, GASOLINE BEGINS TO LEAK FROM THE TANK. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,650.

NHTSA ID
10234011
Incident
Jul 3, 2008
Mileage
99,650 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 7, 2008

I AM WRITING ABOUT MY 1995 FORD ESCORT WITH A 1.9L ENGINE. THERE IS AN ABSOLUTE SAFETY HAZARD ON MY VEHICLE. I SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN 1997 FOR A LEAKING FUEL TANK. AND THE TANK ON MY CAR IS NOW LEAKING. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL BUT I FIND IT PECULIAR THAT I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FIRST THING THEY TOLD ME BEFORE LOOKING ANYTHING UP WAS "THAT RECALL IS EXPIRED ANYWAY BUT SEE A SERVICE MANAGER" EXPIRED HOW CAN A SAFETY HAZARD BE EXPIRED? DO YOU NOT STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCTS!!! I THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT I AM HANDLED THAT WAY WHAT BECAUSE I DRIVE AN OLDER CAR. AM I NOT IMPORTANT? I WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE ASAP ABOUT THIS SAFETY HAZARD!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10233435
Incident
Jul 2, 2008
Mileage
99,554 mi

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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