Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 7 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
7 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2003
Unknown Or Other
THE CAR PURCHASED WAS FOR 1800 AND THE MECHANIC WHERE PURCHASED FROM TOLD ERIC THAT THE CAR WAS FULLY INSPECTED AND READY FOR THE ROAD. HIS GIRLFRIEND TEST DROVE THE CAR AND TOLD GREG THAT THE BRAKES DIDNT WORK HE SAID HE'D HAVE THEM LOOKED AT. HAD THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS AFTER HE SUPPOSEDLY RE-CHECKED THEM AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO MO…
Read full complaint
THE CAR PURCHASED WAS FOR 1800 AND THE MECHANIC WHERE PURCHASED FROM TOLD ERIC THAT THE CAR WAS FULLY INSPECTED AND READY FOR THE ROAD. HIS GIRLFRIEND TEST DROVE THE CAR AND TOLD GREG THAT THE BRAKES DIDNT WORK HE SAID HE'D HAVE THEM LOOKED AT. HAD THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS AFTER HE SUPPOSEDLY RE-CHECKED THEM AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO MONRO MUFFLER TO BE RE-CHECKED AND FOUND THAT THE WHOLE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR WAS RUSTED AND ROTTED STRAIGHT THROUGH. THE CAR IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND GREG REFUSES TO RETURN THE MONEY TO THE CONSUMER. IF YOU COULD PLEASE HELP US OUT THAT WOULD BE GREAT. PHONE ME AT 860-589-9445
NHTSA ODI #10036769
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
POSSIBLE CARBURATOR FAILURE MAY HAVE CAUSED VEHICLE TO HESITATE WHILE DRIVING. NLM
NHTSA ODI #545994
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 1998
Seat Belts
ELECTRIC SEAT BELTS FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #531977
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 1997
Service Brakes, HydraulicInjury
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURIES.( NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE REPORT)
NHTSA ODI #514011
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1996
Electrical SystemFire
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. (FIRST VEHICLE ON 601624, 601627)
NHTSA ODI #509613
Mileage unknown · May 20, 1996
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY OWNER SMELLED SMOKE. DRIVER LIFTED HOOD AND WIRING HARNESS WAS ON FIRE NEAR FIREWALL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #984680
Mileage unknown · May 14, 1996
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MASTER CYLINDER RIPPED LOOSE FROM FIREWALL DUE TO METAL FATIGUE, CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE/LOSS OF CONTROL. *SD
REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY ALLOW TWISTED WEBBING TO ENTER THE RETRACTOR HOUSING AND JAM THE RETRACTOR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A JAMMED RETRACTOR WOULD INTERFERE WITH WEBBING RETRACTION AND WITHDRAWAL. THIS WILL DISCOURAGE SEAT BELT USAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: A CLIP WILL BE INSERTED INTO THE RETRACTOR HOUSING WEBBING TO PREVENT JAMMING.
DURING A CRASH BARRIER TEST, THE RUBBER HOSE CONNECTING THE FUEL TANK AND THE METAL FILLER PIPE VENT TUBE WAS CUT, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. THE INVOLVED VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY".
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A BRACE BETWEEN THE RIGHT SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL AND THE BODY SIDE RAIL TO IMPROVE FUEL TANK IMPACT RESISTANCE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3
DP86016 · Stalling
Opened Jul 24, 1986 · Closed Aug 7, 1986
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
STALLING
EA86010 · Seatback Failure
Opened Mar 26, 1986 · Closed Jul 28, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:FORD BELIEVES THAT THE AL-LEGED DEFECT ONLY OCCURS IN A SMALL NUMBER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ANDRECALLED ABOUT 195,732 1984 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES IN JUNE 1986.ANALYSIS: VEHICLES POTENTIALLY INVOLVED INCLUDE TEMPO/TOPAZ, ESCORT/LYNX/EXP, MUSTANG/CAPRI, LTD/MARQUIS, AND THUNDERBIRD/COUGAR.FORD SOLD ABOUT 110,000 REPLACEMENT MIO BOLTS, MAINLY FOR 1983 AND 1984MODELS. LOW CLAMPING FORCE APPEARS TO BE A LARGE PART OF THE PROBLEM.FORD INCREASED THE TORQUE REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRED THE USE OF A MANUALTORQUE TOOL IN MARCH AND SEPTEMBER 1985 PRODUCTION CHANGES. 1987 MODELSWILL BE PRODUCED WITH A LONGER M10 BOLT AND A NUT TO INCREASE AND MAIN-TAIN CLAMPING FORCE. BOLTS WERE FORMERLY SELF TAPPING. REPORTS LISTEDABOVE SPECIFICALLY STATE THAT THE BOLT BROKE. NONE REFER SIMPLY TOSEAT BACK COLLAPSE ALONE.STATUS:FORD REPLY TO ODI IR DATED 2/2/87.FORD RECALLED 195,7321984 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES IN JUNE 1986 (86V-082). ANALYZING REPONSE,MONITORING CANADIAN PROGRESS. RESPONSE TO 4/6/87 LETTER TO FORDRECEIVED 7/15/87. WILL PROBABLY CLOSE AFTER CANADA COMPLETES THEIRACTIONS.===
DP84017 · Stalling And Carburetor Malfunctions
Opened May 30, 1984 · Closed Sep 10, 1984
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
STALLING AND CARBURETOR MALFUNCTIONS
1983 Ford Escort Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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