← New search

1993 Ford Escort

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Escort years

Owner complaints for the 1993 Ford Escort are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 22 of 379 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.

  • Seat Belts. Review the 109 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

31 crash reports15 fire reports25 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

109 reports
Clear category filter
145,347 miles · Jun 16, 2009
Seat Belts

PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SEATBELT STOPPED WORKING IN OCTOBER 2003, DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT STOPPED WORKING ABOUT FEBRUARY 2004, AUTOMATIC BELT RETRACTORS TRY TO MOVE THEN STOP. A GRINDING / WHIRRING CAN BE HEARD AT TIMES. BOTH BELTS ARE UN USABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273940

6,000 miles · Mar 31, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

IN 1992 I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 1993 ESCORT GT SPARTANBURG, SC. THE 1ST PART OF THE YEAR EVERYTHING WAS FINE. AFTER, THE CAR WAS IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP TO DATE FOR HESITATION, FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEMS, ODD NOISES AND OTHER THINGS. I FILED FOR LEMON LAW IN 1993-94 IN TEXAS. WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REPLACE THE MOTOR, COULD TAKE UP TO A M…

Read full complaint

IN 1992 I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 1993 ESCORT GT SPARTANBURG, SC. THE 1ST PART OF THE YEAR EVERYTHING WAS FINE. AFTER, THE CAR WAS IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP TO DATE FOR HESITATION, FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEMS, ODD NOISES AND OTHER THINGS. I FILED FOR LEMON LAW IN 1993-94 IN TEXAS. WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REPLACE THE MOTOR, COULD TAKE UP TO A MONTH BEFORE I GOT THE CAR BACK. WHEN ASKED IF THEY WOULD SUPPLY A LOANER CAR I WAS TOLD NO. WITHOUT FINANCES TO RENT A CAR TO GET TO & FROM WORK (50 MLS DAILY) I COULD NOT ACCEPT THE OFFER AT THAT TIME WITHOUT THEM PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION. OVER THE YEARS, IT'S BEEN 1 PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. SINCE 1994, I REPLACED 3 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, NUMEROUS DIAGNOSTIC MACHINES TO FIND WHY IT WOULD STALL IN IDLE AND NO ACCELERATION AFTER CAR WARMED UP& OTHER THINGS. IN 1995, THE FUEL TANK DEVELOPED A CRACK AT SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN & THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED AT TOP OF TANK RESULTING IN FUMES & GAS LEAKING WHEN FILLED. THREE FORD DEALERSHIPS SAID ONLY 1992 FORD ESCORTS WERE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO EVEN THOUGH IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1992. THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT, DRIVER SIDE QUIT WORKING. WE REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE BUT STILL WON'T WORK. SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WIRING. TWO FORD DEALERSHIPS CAN'T FIX NOR TWO AUTO ELECTRICIANS. I CONTACTED FORD AGAIN UNDER LEMON LAW, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A ONE TIME OFFER. SINCE I REFUSED THE FIRST OFFER, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. RECOMMENDED I SELL THE CAR AND BUY ANOTHER ONE. I CAN NOT POSSIBLY PUT THESE PROBLEMS ON SOMEONE ELSE? THIS WAS TOTALLY UNETHICAL. I"VE BEEN LOYAL TO FORD SINCE IN MY TEENS. THIS IS MY 2ND FORD ESCORT & MY FIRST/ONLY NEW VEHICLE I EVER OWNED. I STILL HAVE THE CAR & WOULD REALLY LIKE FORD TO DO RIGHT BY ME IN THIS SITUATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10186626

188,000 miles · Jan 19, 2007
Seat Belts

TL* -THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SHOULDER RESTRAINT AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WERE NOT WORKING IN HER 1993 FORD ESCORT AND SHE DISCOVERED THAT IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR HER VEHICLE. SHE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THE DEALER CAN SERVICE HER VEHICLE, BUT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. …

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10179176

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2005
Seat Belts

FEMALE END OF ELR LAP BELT SPONTAINIOUSLY STOPPED LATCHING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10105772

27,000 miles · Dec 6, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat BeltsService Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS. THE BELT WILL TIGHTEN INADVERTENTLY, FEELING AS IF CONSUMER WAS BEING CHOKED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIRS WILL COST $400.00. *AK....ALSO, FRONT FENDER AND MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE ABOVE THE FENDER IS PEELING PAINT, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CO…

Read full complaint

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS. THE BELT WILL TIGHTEN INADVERTENTLY, FEELING AS IF CONSUMER WAS BEING CHOKED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIRS WILL COST $400.00. *AK....ALSO, FRONT FENDER AND MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE ABOVE THE FENDER IS PEELING PAINT, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND GOES OFF WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES AT STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT OR WHENEVER CONSUMER APPLIES THE BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10103195

98,181 miles · Mar 28, 2003
Seat Belts

AUTOMATIC DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10013614

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2003
Seat BeltsCrash

MY SON WAS KILLED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT. HE WAS THE DRIVER. THE SHOULDER HARNESS BROKE LOOSE FROM THE DOOR FRAME. HIS CAR WAS A 1993 FORD ESCORT WITH AUTOMATIC SHOULDER HARNESS. THE SHOULDER HARNESS ASSEMBLY STAYED IN THE DOOR FRAME, BUT THE PART THAT HOLDS THE SHOULDER HARNESS IN THE UNIT BROKE. TS

NHTSA ODI #10000957

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2002
Seat Belts

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE INOPERABLE. DEALER NOTIFIED SAID TRACK AND MOTOR IS DEFECTIVE. TS

NHTSA ODI #8024077

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineSeat Belts

FUEL TANK LEAKING AT HOSE FITTING. CRACK IN PLASTIC TANK. NO REPLACEMENT AVAILABLE DUE TO MANY FAILURES. BOUGHT CAR NEW AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK. SEAT BELTS FAIL TO RETRACT IN REAR SEAT COMPARTMENT. DEALER FIXED TWICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. MR

NHTSA ODI #768008

35,000 miles · Oct 2, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineSeat Belts

FUEL TANK LEAKING AT HOSE FITTING. CRACK IN PLASTIC TANK. NO REPLACEMENT AVAILABLE DUE TO MANY FAILURES. BOUGHT CAR NEW AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK. SEAT BELTS FAIL TO RETRACT IN REAR SEAT COMPARTMENT. DEALER FIXED TWICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. *MR *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFT…

Read full complaint

FUEL TANK LEAKING AT HOSE FITTING. CRACK IN PLASTIC TANK. NO REPLACEMENT AVAILABLE DUE TO MANY FAILURES. BOUGHT CAR NEW AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK. SEAT BELTS FAIL TO RETRACT IN REAR SEAT COMPARTMENT. DEALER FIXED TWICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. *MR *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*768008

NHTSA ODI #10006958

Official recalls

1

94V055000 · Seats

Mar 26, 1994

THE LOCK PLATE OF THE DRIVER SIDE INBOARD SEAT TRACK ADJUSTERS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH AN UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATION TO THE FABRICATION PROCESS WHICH CAUSES THE SEAT NOT TO FULLY ENGAGE IN CERTAIN SEATING POSITIONS NEAR THE MID-POINT OF THE SEAT TRACK TRAVEL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THE SEAT CAN MOVE, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN REDUCED OCCUPANT PROTECTION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE INBOARD SEAT TRACK.

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

1

EA94002 · Fuel Pump Wiring Shortage

Opened Jan 28, 1994 · Closed Jan 31, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available