IllustrationA CLAMP FROM THE THROTTLE BODY DISLODGED AND ENTERED THE ENGINE RESULTING IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. *ET
1989 Ford Escort
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1989 Ford Escort do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 101.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escort years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 5 of 152 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 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports60 fire reports7 injury reports
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
9 reportsWHILE DRIVING CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED. WHEN GOING UP A HILL OR GOING AROUND A CORNER CONSUMER WILL APPLY THE BRAKES, AND THAT WILL STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK
AS SOON AS VEHICLE STARTS THE RPMS REV TO 2200 RPMS FOR ABOUT TWO SECONDS THEN FALL TO 0 AND ENGINE DIES/STALLS IF ACCELERATOSR IS NOT PRESSED QUICKLY. ONCE MOVING AND CLUTCH PUSHED IN AND DECELERATING TO COME TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLS. ALSO, REPLACED MAP SENSOR. *AK
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, GETTING READY TO GET ON FREEWAY, WANTED TO HIT THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE, GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK AND WAS NOT ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN, THE CONSUMER HAD TO LEAVE PRESSURE ON BRAKE PEDAL THEN PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND PULL TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. *AK
WHILE DRIVING THE THROTTLE REMAINED OPEN AND THE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. PULLED ON EMERGENCY BRAKE NO RESPONSE AND VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. *AK
THROTTLE BODY CORRODED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HESITATE. *SD
WHILE DRIVING LOCAL ROAD WHEN SUDDENLY GAS PEDAL STUCK; VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD WITH BRAKES APPLIED; HIT PARKED JEEP. TT
HOOD FLEW UP WHEN GOING OVER DIP IN ROAD.
Official recalls
196V071000 · Electrical System:ignition
Apr 25, 1996
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
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
2DP91003 · Engine Stalling
Opened Nov 29, 1990 · Closed Jan 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE STALLING
EA90008 · Failed Passive Restraint
Opened Dec 27, 1989 · Closed Dec 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
WE HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS REPORTS WHICH ALLEGE A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM.ADDITIONAL REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED TO RESTRAIN/ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE OCCUPANT DURING AN ACCIDENT