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1991 Ford EscortProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 327 owner complaints about the 1991 Ford Escort, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

36
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.8× the Escort median · #6 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints32795 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage128kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 20, 2013. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1991 Ford Escort has problems

327 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 system10442
Seat belts7112
Fuel system, gasoline5913
Power train301
Vehicle speed control197
Engine and engine cooling174
Exterior lighting162
Steering121
Suspension90
11 other systems399

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

3 recalls

1991 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

Anti-theft: control module

Recall 93V-057 · Apr 15, 1993 · 91,000 vehicles

Risk. THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER MAY DISENGAGE FROM THESTEERING COLUMN HOUSING WHICH COULD CAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN TO LOCK UP,RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 92V-117 · Aug 19, 1992 · 22,000 vehicles

Risk. SHOULD A CRACK DEVELOP, FUEL VAPOR CAN ESCAPE FROM THETANK WHEN THE TANK IS FULL, AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACK.FUEL LEAKS CAN RESULT IN…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Recall 90V-076 · Apr 17, 1990 · 6,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK AT THE WIDE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION AND RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL WITH THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

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

1991 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
NHTSA crash tests

1991 Ford Escort safety ratings

1991 Ford Escort 2-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1991 Ford Escort, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL TANK LEAKAGEEA92012 · closed Sep 17, 1992
    Led to recall 92V-117
  2. INADVERT. STEERING LOCKUPEA93007 · closed Apr 26, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-057
  3. FUEL PUMP WIRING SHORTAGEEA94002 · closed Jan 31, 1995
    No recall
  4. FUEL TANK LEAKAGEPE91150 · closed Apr 15, 1992
    No recall
  5. INADVER. STEERING LOCKUPPE92082 · closed Feb 26, 1993
    No recall
  6. FUEL PUMP WIRING SHORTAGEPE93076 · closed Jan 28, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What Escort owners report

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

AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS AND STILL BESIDE THE GAS PUMPS I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE CAR KEPT CRANKING BUT NOT STARTING. TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF AND CAR KEPT CRANKING. PULLED THE KEY OUT AND CAR KEPT CRANKING. PUT THE KEY BACK IN AND GOT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE WHILE CRANKING…
Complaint 10525875 · Jul 20, 2013 · 124,750 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD ESCORT LX. THE CONTACT POURED BRAKE FLUID INTO THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE BLED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION, AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS SPEWING FORTH POWER STEERING FLUID.…
Complaint 10226363 · May 1, 2008 · 101,000 miles
WHEN YOU TURN IGNITION OFF RADIO CONTINUES TO PLAY FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES OR UNTIL YOU MANUALLY SHUT IT OFF, REPLACED IGNITION AND STILL HAS SAME PROBLEM.*AK
Complaint 10112688 · Mar 8, 2005

Own a 1991 Escort?

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