The 1995 Ford Escort has 5 safety recalls and 576 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is seat belts (162 complaints).
Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints576filed by owners
Crashes · fires75 · 20reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths70 · 1reported 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.
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ARIZONA. CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK WALL.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENTS. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT HEAT SHIELD LOCATION OR FUNCTION, AS THE ATTACHMENTS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP THE SHIELD IN PLACE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSTALLATION, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS RETAIN THE HEAT SHIELD.
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO OR WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANTS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN NEVADA, FLORIDA, HAWAII, TEXAS, CALIFORNIA, LOUISIANA, GEORGIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, MISSISSIPPI, OKLAHOMA, ALABAMA AND ARKANSAS. CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK WALL.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENTS. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT HEAT SHIELD LOCATION OR FUNCTION, AS THE ATTACHMENTS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP THE SHIELD IN PLACE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSTALLATION, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS RETAIN THE HEAT SHIELD.
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.
Air bags › Frontal
NHTSA recall 94V197000 · Oct 11, 1994 · 29,000 vehicles
Problem: TWO BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM MODULE TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE MISSING. IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT, THE MODULE CAN COME OUT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Risk: THIS WOULD NOT RESTRAIN THE PASSENGER AND WOULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL AND TORQUE TO SPECIFICATION THE MOUNTING BOLTS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG.
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
1995 Ford Escort 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 / 31 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 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
Escort
24mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Escort
22mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/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
162
20
0
18
105,880 mi
Fuel system, gasoline Storage › Tank assembly; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
132
1
4
1
100,000 mi
Air bags Frontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module
79
61
2
54
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine
62
1
4
2
81,939 mi
Electrical system Ignition; Ignition › Switch
53
1
13
2
—
Suspension Front › Springs › Coil springs; Front
40
0
0
5
51,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission
37
1
1
0
90,501 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
29
7
0
6
—
Steering Steering wheel/handle bar; Linkages › Tie rod assembly
19
2
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal; Linkages
18
5
0
2
—
Unknown or other
16
1
0
0
—
Visibility Windshield wiper/washer; Defroster/defogger/hvac system
15
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Dec 22, 2017 · 151,000 milesSeat belts 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.
Mar 30, 2016 · 85,000 milesFuel/propulsion system 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.
Jun 18, 2015 · 135,341 milesFuel system, gasoline 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…
Nov 15, 2014Fuel/propulsion system 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
Dec 16, 2013 · 78,000 milesFuel/propulsion system 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.
Feb 5, 2013 · 149,233 milesSeat belts 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
Aug 24, 2013 · 99,500 milesFuel/propulsion system 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.
Apr 1, 2013 · 120,000 milesService brakes 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
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
RQ97010 · opened Sep 11, 1997 · closed May 22, 2000 · led to recall 97V144000FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY There is no summary currently available