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1986 Ford EscortProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 45 owner complaints about the 1986 Ford Escort, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

77
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years70% below the Escort median · #16 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints4522 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage80kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 4, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Ford Escort has problems

45 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 system1912
Engine and engine cooling96
Structure60
Vehicle speed control21
Exterior lighting20
Power train10
Seat belts11
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Steering10
4 other systems40

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

2 recalls

1986 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

Seats

Recall 89V-170 · Oct 13, 1989 · 1,375,500 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LIMITED DEGREE OF ROCKING MOTIONOF THE DRIVERS SEAT ASSEMBLY UPON ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, WHICH COULDCAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 87V-139 · Sep 4, 1987 · 3,600,000 vehicles

Risk. 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…

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

1986 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
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Ford Escort, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR SEAT BELT COMPLIANCEDP88007 · closed Aug 24, 1988
    No recall
  2. SEATBACK FAILUREEA86010 · closed Jul 28, 1989
    Led to recall 86V-082
  3. FIRESEA87005 · closed Oct 31, 1989
    Led to recall 89V-095
  4. SEAT TRACKSEA87023 · closed Nov 16, 1989
    Led to recall 89V-170
  5. REAR SAFETY BELT FITEA88038 · closed May 11, 1990
    No recall
  6. SEAT TRACK FAILUREPE87026 · closed Sep 24, 1987
    No recall
  7. 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.

SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS WHILE DRIVING WITH THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE IN THE NORMAL RANGE ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING AT BETWEEN 70-75 MPH THE ENGINE STALLS AND WILL NOT RESTART. WHEN PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD AND REMOVING THE TIMING PLUG AND ALLOWING THE…
Complaint 10007035 · Oct 14, 2000 · 80,150 miles
WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING. CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO GET IT STARTED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Complaint 8011043 · Jun 4, 2002
DRIVEN ON FRWY, PARKED IN PARKING LOT, TOOK VEHICLE OFF PARKING LOT, ABOUT 1/4 MILE LATER SAW FLAMES COMING FROM HOOD, FIRE DEPT ARRIVED & PUT FLAMES OUT. *AK
Complaint 984819 · May 24, 1996

Own a 1986 Escort?

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