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1984 Ford EscortProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 21 owner complaints about the 1984 Ford Escort, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints218 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem11Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 17, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1984 Ford Escort has problems

21 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system117
Engine and engine cooling51
Seat belts40
Fuel system, gasoline10
Service brakes, hydraulic10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1984 Ford Escort recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Recall 89V-095 · Jun 12, 1989 · 481,049 vehicles

Risk. ENGINE OIL LEAKING ONTO A HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD COULDRESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1984 vs. every other Escort year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Escort median. How we score

'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1984 Ford Escort, and the recalls they led to.

  1. STALLINGDP86016 · closed Aug 7, 1986
    No recall
  2. REAR SEAT BELT COMPLIANCEDP88007 · closed Aug 24, 1988
    No recall
  3. SEATBACK FAILUREEA86010 · closed Jul 28, 1989
    Led to recall 86V-082
  4. FIRESEA87005 · closed Oct 31, 1989
    Led to recall 89V-095
  5. REAR SAFETY BELT FITEA88038 · closed May 11, 1990
    No recall
  6. STALLINGPE87028 · closed Jan 21, 1988
    No recall
In owners' words

What Escort owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT JUST STOPPED RUNNING WITHOUTWARNING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED IT WAS THE IGNITION. WHEN THE TFI OVERHEATED IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT CONNECT. PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBACK BROKE AND WILL NOT GO UP.…
Complaint 896014 · Sep 7, 2001

Own a 1984 Escort?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.