The 1994 Ford Escort has 2 safety recalls and 279 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is seat belts (82 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints279filed by owners
Crashes · fires51 · 16reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths45 · 5reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006 · 61,944 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Air bags › Frontal
NHTSA recall 94V218000 · Nov 10, 1994 · 240 vehicles
Problem: THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CAN HAVE AN INADEQUATELY WELDED INFLATOR CANISTER.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE WELD SEAM CAN SEPARATE, CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO FAIL TO DEPLOY PROPERLY AND HOT GASES TO BE EXPELLED FROM THE BACK OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY FROM THE HOT GASES AND THE AIR BAG FAILURE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG MODULE.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1994 Ford Escort Wagon 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Escort
29mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 34 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel
Escort Wagon
29mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 34 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel
Escort
26mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 32 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
Escort Wagon
26mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 32 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
Escort
25mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
Escort
23mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Seat belts Front › Retractor; Front › Anchorage
82
7
0
11
66,090 mi
Air bags Frontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module
60
38
0
32
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine
37
0
4
0
—
Electrical system Ignition › Switch; Ignition
32
1
8
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
25
4
0
2
—
Suspension Front › Springs › Coil springs; Front
20
1
0
1
38,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
19
3
1
2
45,000 mi
Visibility Windshield; Defroster/defogger/hvac system
15
0
0
0
—
Steering Steering wheel/handle bar; Linkages › Tie rod assembly
11
2
1
3
—
Seats Front assembly › Recliner; Front assembly › Power adjust
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Sep 24, 2018 · 52,000 milesSeat belts AUTOMATIC SEATBELT IS JAMMED AND SEATBELT NO LONGER WORKS
Sep 1, 2012Seat belts › Front 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.
Jun 3, 2011 · 115,404 milesAir bags › Frontal 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.
Oct 9, 2007Seat belts › Front DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT REMAINS OPERATIVE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REMEDY THIS FAULT. *TR
Jun 16, 2007 · 94,000 milesElectrical system › Ignition › Switch 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.
Jan 1, 1901 · fireEngine and engine cooling 1994 FORD ESCORT CUSTOMER WANTS INFO ABOUT ENGINE CATCHING FIRE**CC *JB
Dec 17, 2006 · 180,000 milesSeat belts › Front 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.
Mar 19, 2006 · 97,000 miles · fire · 1 injuryExterior lighting › Headlights 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
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.