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1994 Ford EscortProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 279 owner complaints about the 1994 Ford Escort, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

38
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.7× the Escort median · #7 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints279102 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage66kSeat belts, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 21, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 Ford Escort has problems

279 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
Seat belts7910
Air bags5435
Electrical system3010
Engine and engine cooling304
Service brakes, hydraulic213
Power train194
Suspension181
Visibility140
Steering113
12 other systems4511

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

1 recall

1994 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

Air bags: frontal

Recall 94V-218 · Nov 10, 1994 · 240 vehicles

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…

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

1994 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

1994 Ford Escort safety ratings

1994 Ford Escort Wagon 4-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
In owners' words

What Escort owners report

Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

1994 FORD ESCORT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSIVE RESTRAINT SHOULDER BELT NOT WORKING FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STOP AT MID-TRACK AND BOUNCING THE DOOR AGAINST THE HINGE WOULD GET IT TO MOVE. TWO WEEKS AGO, IT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF…
Complaint 10476361 · Sep 19, 2012
DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT REMAINS OPERATIVE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REMEDY THIS FAULT. *TR
Complaint 10207294 · Oct 29, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD ESCORT. THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT IS JAMMED. THE CONTACT'S SEATBELT IS MOTORIZED AND WHEN YOU CLOSE THE DOOR IT RETRACTS HALF WAY AND IS STUCK, IT WONT MOVE LEFT OR RIGHT. SEATBELT WILL NOT…
Complaint 10176476 · Dec 18, 2006 · 180,000 miles

Own a 1994 Escort?

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