1988 Ford Escort

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #96V071000April 25, 19967,900,000 vehicles affected

  electrical system: ignition

  The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

  This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

• NHTSA recall #87V139000September 4, 19873,600,000 vehicles affected

  fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

  Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.

  Coupling could disengage due to fuel pressure,vibration, and engine movements; this would cause loss of fuel which, inpresence of an ignition source, creates a fire risk.

  Remedy

  Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.

Other model years

• 1985 26
• 1986 45
• 1987 56
• 1988
• 1989 152
• 1990 101
• 1991 327
• 1992 162
• 1993 379
• 1994 279
• 1995 576
• 1996 205
• 1997 543
• 1998 375
• 1999 325
• 2000 98
• 2001 68
• 2002 33