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1995 Ford Escort

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Escort years

Owner complaints for the 1995 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: 81 of 576 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 152 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 129 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

75 crash reports19 fire reports53 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

16 reports
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100,000 miles · May 1, 2008
Fuel System, GasolineFuel System, OtherUnknown Or Other

> FROM: GALLY > COMMENTS: > GREETINGS, > > PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT WE RECENTLY PURCHASED THE ABOVE SUBJECT VEHICLE, AND NOW WE ARE EXPERIENCING A FUEL LEAK FROM THE PLASTIC GAS TANK. THE LEAK COMES FROM THE SAME LOCATION THAT THE NHTSA RECALLS (REFERENCED ABOVE) OCCUR. > > I HAVE SPOKEN ON THE PHONE BOTH WITH F…

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> FROM: GALLY > COMMENTS: > GREETINGS, > > PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT WE RECENTLY PURCHASED THE ABOVE SUBJECT VEHICLE, AND NOW WE ARE EXPERIENCING A FUEL LEAK FROM THE PLASTIC GAS TANK. THE LEAK COMES FROM THE SAME LOCATION THAT THE NHTSA RECALLS (REFERENCED ABOVE) OCCUR. > > I HAVE SPOKEN ON THE PHONE BOTH WITH FORD CORPORATE AND THE LOCAL DEALER ( HELLER FORD, ESCONDIDO, CA. ) AND HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, NOR WOULD THERE BE ANY ASSISTANCE IN HAVING THE REPAIR MADE AT THE MANUFACTURER OR DEALER EXPENSE. > > IN MY RESEARCH OF THE VEHICLE AND RECALLS SPECIFIC TO THE 1995 ESCORT MODEL, I CAME ACROSS VARIOUS DOCUMENTS ONLINE WHICH LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT ANY VEHICLE OF SIMILAR MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR WHICH HAD SIMILAR DEFECTS AS THE VEHICLES SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL MENTIONED ABOVE, SHOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE MANUFACTURER OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVE (THE DEALER) AND REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WOULD THEN BE RECOVERED BY THE DEALER FROM THE MANUFACTURER. PLEASE REFER TO FORD RECALL SERVICE BULLETIN 97S79 PAGE TWO. > > AN ADDED NOTE. CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS THE SOLE SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION FOR MY GIRLFRIENDS DAUGHTER AND HER 1 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER. THEIR SAFETY IS OUR PRIMARY CONCERN, AS WELL AS THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. > > PLEASE ENSURE A TIMELY RESPONSE TO THIS ISSUE. WE WISH TO HAVE THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY AND HOPE TO DISCOVER THAT FORD STANDS BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS, THEIR REPUTATION, AND EXISTING AND FUTURE CUSTOMERS. > > PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AT THIS ADDRESS OR CALL ME DIRECTLY.> ?*TR

NHTSA ODI #10226422

20,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineSeat Belts

ON APRIL 11, 1995 I PURCHASED A NEW 1995 FORD LX, 1.9L SEFI , VIN# [XXX]. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS AND SETTLING INTO IT, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM WHAT TO ME SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE AREA ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE STEERING COLUMN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE…

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ON APRIL 11, 1995 I PURCHASED A NEW 1995 FORD LX, 1.9L SEFI , VIN# [XXX]. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS AND SETTLING INTO IT, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM WHAT TO ME SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE AREA ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE STEERING COLUMN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TEST DRIVEN AND I WAS SIMPLY TOLD THAT IT WAS PROBABLY JUST NEW ENGINE NOISE AND IT WOULD STOP. AS TIME WENT ON THE CLICKING CONTINUED. I CALLED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES THEN I JUST GAVE UP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING OKAY AND HAD CAUSED NO CONCERN. ON SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 (CLICKING NOISE STILL THERE) I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR OTHER PROBLEMS. AS INVOICE STATES, NOISE MAY BE COMING FROM ENGINE AREA. ON MAY 22, 2002 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT JUST STOPPED!!!!! REFERENCING NORTH CENTRAL FORD INVOICE NO. [XXX] (WHICH IS ATTACHED) YOU CAN SEE THE WORK THAT WAS PERFORMED. IN REFERENCE THE ABOVE-MENTIONED INVOICE, YOU WILL NOTICE THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED, ONE OF THE PHONE CALLS I RECEIVED WAS TO EXPLAIN THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD SNAPPED. PLEASE NOTICE THAT YOU WILL FIND NOWHERE MENTIONED THAT VALVES OR ANYTHING ELSE WAS CHECKED. BY THE TIME ALL OF THIS TOOK PLACE, THE CLICKING NOISE HAD BECOME MORE APPARENT AND THEY WERE MADE AWARE THAT IT WAS STILL THERE. NOW FOR THE GRAND FINALE, ON APRIL 29, 2003 I DROVE THE CAR TO A NEARBY STORE AND WHEN I CAME BACK OUT THE CLICKING NOISE TURNED INTO A NOISE AS IF THE ENGINE WERE GOING TO EXPLODE. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND IT WAS TAKEN TO NORTH CENTRAL FORD. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE MECHANIC THOUGHT PUSH ROD HAD GONE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MORE THAN ONE MECHANIC (ASE CERTIFIED) WHO CLEARLY BELIEVES THAT THE VALVES SHOULD HAVE BEEN AT LEAST CHECKED WHEN THAT BELT BROKE. THIS [XXX] VEHICLE WAS MY PRIDE AND JOY IT WAS PAMPERED. THE MILEAGE ON IT WAS A MERE 74,639. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10070263

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2003
Unknown Or Other

AFTER INSTALLATION OF "MAGNETIZER" (MAGNETIZER.NET) , BOSCH PLATINUM +4 SPARK PLUGS, BOSCH OXYGEN SENSOR, K&N HIGH FLOW AIR FILTER CAR MAKES 36 MPG I TOWN & 39 MPG ON HIGHWAY. THAT SHOWS THAT AFTERMARKET PARTS CAN IMPROVE ANY CARS GAS MILEAGE BY UP TO 25% WHY CAR PRODUCERS DON'T USE THESE TECHNOLOGIES AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT. *…

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AFTER INSTALLATION OF "MAGNETIZER" (MAGNETIZER.NET) , BOSCH PLATINUM +4 SPARK PLUGS, BOSCH OXYGEN SENSOR, K&N HIGH FLOW AIR FILTER CAR MAKES 36 MPG I TOWN & 39 MPG ON HIGHWAY. THAT SHOWS THAT AFTERMARKET PARTS CAN IMPROVE ANY CARS GAS MILEAGE BY UP TO 25% WHY CAR PRODUCERS DON'T USE THESE TECHNOLOGIES AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10049177

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2003
Seat BeltsUnknown Or Other

THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE AND THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10012029

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2003
Seat BeltsUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT, CRUISE CONTROL, AND PAINT ON HOOD. TS

NHTSA ODI #10005092

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2002
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

UPON ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN, FORTUNATELY BOTH IN A WAY THAT HAD NOT CAUSED TIRE DAMAGE. SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATES GREATLY AND CREATES BUZZING-LIKE NOISE AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 55 MPH. MR

NHTSA ODI #768300

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineUnknown Or Other

THE CAR GOT ALCOHOL SMELL SINCE THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT IT. THEN IT MADE ME DIZZY & COUGH BADLY ALL THE TIME , SOMETIME I WAS THINKING THAT IF SOMEBODY LIGHT UP A CIGARETTE WHICH MAY PUT MY CAR INTO FIRE SINCE THERE ARE ALCOHOL SMELL ALL OVER. I BEGAN OPEN ALL THE WINDOWS WHENEVER I DRIVE THIS CAR ( NO MATTER HOW COLD IT IS, OR…

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THE CAR GOT ALCOHOL SMELL SINCE THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT IT. THEN IT MADE ME DIZZY & COUGH BADLY ALL THE TIME , SOMETIME I WAS THINKING THAT IF SOMEBODY LIGHT UP A CIGARETTE WHICH MAY PUT MY CAR INTO FIRE SINCE THERE ARE ALCOHOL SMELL ALL OVER. I BEGAN OPEN ALL THE WINDOWS WHENEVER I DRIVE THIS CAR ( NO MATTER HOW COLD IT IS, OR EVEN WHEN IT IS RAINING.). AND BESIDES DRIVE IT TO WORK, I NEVER DRIVE IT DURING THE WEEKEND. BECAUSE I THINK MY BODY NEED SOME REST FROM THIS CAR. I DID NOT KNOW HOW BAD IT COULD BE UNTILL I READ A BOOK TALK ABOUT HOW DANGEROUS THE EMITTED GASSES FROM THE CAR COULD HURT PEOPLE'S HEALTH, AFTER I READ THAT BOOK I STOPPED TO DRIVE THE CAR & BEGIN TO FIND OUT HOW TO TAKE CARE THE PROBLEM. BEFORE I AM SURE THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE, I WOULD NOT DRIVE IT OR SALE TO OTHER PEOPLE. I WISH NO BODY WILL GET HURT BY THIS CAR. PLEASE TAKE CARE THIS CAR'S PROBLEM. OTHERWISE I REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO WITH THIS CAR. I AM TAKING BUS EVEYDAY TO GO TO WORK SINCE JAN. AND THE DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. FORD TOLD ME TO CALL YOUR DEPT. IS THERE A KIND EQUIPMENT WHICH CAN TEST THE INSIDE CAR AIR QUALITY TO SEE IS IT SAFE TO HUMAN HEALTH. ? , IT WOULD NOT BE GOOD IF ANY BODY GET DIZZY (CO,O3,HC,...) FROM THE BAD AIR QUALITY INSIDE THE CAR ON THE HIGH WAY. I THINK THERE SHOUD BE A EQUIPMENT FOR THE PUBLIC TO CHECK THEIR INSIDE CAR AIR QUILITY, SO EVERYBODY KNOW THEY ARE SAFE TO BREATH IN THE CAR AND SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT HURT THEIR HEALTH & NOT HURT OTHER PEOPLE ON THE HIGH WAY. WE NEED SUCH A EQUIPMENT. & EVERY CAR SOLD FROM THE DEALER SHOULD. PASS THE "INSIDE AIR QUILITY " TEST. PLEASE HELP ME !!!!! THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #742600

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2000
Unknown Or Other

MY NAME IS: STEVEN ENCARNACION. ADDRESS: 1204 ST. JOSEPH WAY, PETALUMA, CA 94954-5360, E:MAIL STEVOE@HOME.COM. TELEPHONE #(707)763-7437. THIS IS THE SECOND (1ST ODI#: 719304) OF FOUR COMPLAINTS (OF WHICH THE THIRD ONE IS ABOUT A SAFTEY DEFECT THAT CAUSED AN INJURY) AGAINST G&C AUTOBODY, RE:RENTING VEHICLES WITH THE GROSS KNOWLED…

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MY NAME IS: STEVEN ENCARNACION. ADDRESS: 1204 ST. JOSEPH WAY, PETALUMA, CA 94954-5360, E:MAIL STEVOE@HOME.COM. TELEPHONE #(707)763-7437. THIS IS THE SECOND (1ST ODI#: 719304) OF FOUR COMPLAINTS (OF WHICH THE THIRD ONE IS ABOUT A SAFTEY DEFECT THAT CAUSED AN INJURY) AGAINST G&C AUTOBODY, RE:RENTING VEHICLES WITH THE GROSS KNOWLEDGE OF SAFTEY DEFECTS. ON 01/15/2000 I RENTED MY SECOND VEHICLE FROM G&C AUTOBODY, A FORD ESCORT (CUSTOMER RENTAL AGREEMENT #25745, REPAIR ORDER#000676, COST: $5.00 PER DAY) AS A LOANER VEHICLE WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS TO BE REPAIRED. THE FORD ESCORT WOULDN'T ALWAYS START, THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I WAS STALLED FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD DECIDE TO START, BUT USUALLY I WOULD JUST SIT THERE AND LISTEN TO THE ENGINE TURN OVER AND OVER BEFORE IT WOULD START. I WAS STUCK IN THE PARKING LOT ONE DAY AT COLLEGE FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES WITH A STALLED ENGINE, WHEN IT FINALLY STARTED I DROVE IT TO G&C AUTOBODY TO TELL THEM THAT THIS CAR HAS PROBLEMS. THEY CALLED A MECHANIC TO CHECK IT OUT AND HE SAID HE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE MECHANIC ALSO TOLD ME THAT IF I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT TO BRING IT BACK. I DROVE TO THEIR SECOND BODYSHOP DOWN THE STREET TO PICKUP SOME THINGS I HAD IN MY CAR THAT WAS BEING REPAIRED AND WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR TO LEAVE, IT WOULDN'T START AND THE ENGINE WOULD JUST TURN AND TURN. A CROWD OF BODYSHOP REPAIRMEN STARTED TO GATHER AROUND BECAUSE THAY COULD HEAR ME TRYING TO START THE CAR. SO I DROVE RIGHT BACK TO G&C AUTOBODY AND TOLD THEM THAT I WANT A DIFFERENT CAR, THAT THIS FORD ESCORT NEEDS TO HAVE SOME WORK DONE ON IT. SO THEY RENTED ME A THIRD VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT YOUR AGENCY BY CONTACT 4 (CHANNEL FOUR NEWS IN THE S.F. BAY AREA). NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #719313

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2000
Unknown Or Other

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #719014

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 1999
Unknown Or Other

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #715094

Official recalls

4

97V144000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Sep 3, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO OR WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANTS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN NEVADA, FLORIDA, HAWAII, TEXAS, CALIFORNIA, LOUISIANA, GEORGIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, MISSISSIPPI, OKLAHOMA, ALABAMA AND ARKANSAS. CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK WALL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENTS. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT HEAT SHIELD LOCATION OR FUNCTION, AS THE ATTACHMENTS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP THE SHIELD IN PLACE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSTALLATION, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS RETAIN THE HEAT SHIELD.

97V145000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Sep 3, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ARIZONA. CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK WALL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENTS. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT HEAT SHIELD LOCATION OR FUNCTION, AS THE ATTACHMENTS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP THE SHIELD IN PLACE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSTALLATION, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS RETAIN THE HEAT SHIELD.

94V218000 · Air Bags:frontal

Nov 10, 1994

THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CAN HAVE AN INADEQUATELY WELDED INFLATOR CANISTER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY FROM THE HOT GASES AND THE AIR BAG FAILURE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG MODULE.

94V197000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 11, 1994

TWO BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM MODULE TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE MISSING. IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT, THE MODULE CAN COME OUT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS WOULD NOT RESTRAIN THE PASSENGER AND WOULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL AND TORQUE TO SPECIFICATION THE MOUNTING BOLTS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG.

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

RQ97010 · Fuel Tank Assembly

Opened Sep 11, 1997 · Closed May 22, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

There is no summary currently available