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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

What owners actually said

576 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

FILLED GAS TANK FULL DROVE .5 MILES NEXT DAY ABOUT 3/8 FULL///TOOK TO DEALER HOLE IN FUEL TANK QUOTE $425 NEW TANK SHOULD BE IN NEXT DAY//NEXT DAY CALLED TANK ON BACKORDER//HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHEN MIGHT BE IN//REQUESTED LOANER--MAYBE NEXT DAY--GOT ONE NEXT DAY--DIDN'T SAY WHEN RETURN OR IF I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR LOANER//TH…

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FILLED GAS TANK FULL DROVE .5 MILES NEXT DAY ABOUT 3/8 FULL///TOOK TO DEALER HOLE IN FUEL TANK QUOTE $425 NEW TANK SHOULD BE IN NEXT DAY//NEXT DAY CALLED TANK ON BACKORDER//HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHEN MIGHT BE IN//REQUESTED LOANER--MAYBE NEXT DAY--GOT ONE NEXT DAY--DIDN'T SAY WHEN RETURN OR IF I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR LOANER//THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR SINCE 7-11-2000//TODAY IS 7-20-2000 STILL NO WORD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #725740

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL TANK DEVELOPED A CRACK, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FUEL TANK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #864661

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2000
Power Train

FORD'S DISTRICT REP IN GEORGIA, A MR. FAIRCLOTH, TOLD ME THAT IF MY ATTITUDE WAS THAT I WOULD NEVER BUY A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN SEEING AS HOW THEY WERE GOING TO GIFT ME WITH ONLY A $1,000 CHARGE, HE DIDN'T KNOW IF HE WANTED TO HELP ME AT ALL. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #724856

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

EVERY TIME I STOP AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT, THE CAR DIES. AT TIMES JUST TRYING TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY THE CAR DIES. A FRIEND HAS A 95 ESCORT AND HE HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND IS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE. ANOTHER FRIEND HAS A 95 PROBE AND SHE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND COULD NOT FIND THE REASON. IS THERE A DEFECT IN THE 95…

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EVERY TIME I STOP AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT, THE CAR DIES. AT TIMES JUST TRYING TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY THE CAR DIES. A FRIEND HAS A 95 ESCORT AND HE HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND IS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE. ANOTHER FRIEND HAS A 95 PROBE AND SHE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND COULD NOT FIND THE REASON. IS THERE A DEFECT IN THE 95 FORDS?*AK

NHTSA ODI #724711

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2000
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD HEARD A LOUD NOISE, ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP POSITION. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE VEHICLE WOULD SLOWDOWN. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION TWICE. WAS TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #864188

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL TANK DEVELOPED A CRACK WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL SPILLAGE. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE'S MAKE/MODEL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #864171

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

AFTER SMELLING FUEL ON THE 18TH VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP FOUND A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK WILL BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 97V144000 FORD/FUEL TANK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #863934

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DESPITE REPAIRS TO THE BRAKES, THEIR IS NO RESOLUTION TO THE CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH THE LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT BRAKES. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE BULLITEN 980318985A19 THIS HAS OCCURRED BEFORE. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ALREADY PAID TO HAVE THE BRAKES FIXED AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THIS SEEMS TO M…

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DESPITE REPAIRS TO THE BRAKES, THEIR IS NO RESOLUTION TO THE CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH THE LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT BRAKES. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE BULLITEN 980318985A19 THIS HAS OCCURRED BEFORE. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ALREADY PAID TO HAVE THE BRAKES FIXED AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THIS SEEMS TO MAKE THIS CAR UNSAFE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #723722

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE JUST QUIT WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD. MECHANIC SAID CRANKSHAFT BROKE & NEW ENGINE NEEDED

NHTSA ODI #723683

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2000
Seat Belts

THE DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. IT WAS STUCK TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE RAIL. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM MOVE THE ANCHOR BACK SO I COULD AT LEAST USE MY SEAT BELT. THE MECHANIC COMPLETELY REMOVED ALL COMPONENTS; RAIL, ANCHOR, AND MOTOR. I CAN ONLY USE THE LAP BELT NOW, A…

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THE DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. IT WAS STUCK TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE RAIL. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM MOVE THE ANCHOR BACK SO I COULD AT LEAST USE MY SEAT BELT. THE MECHANIC COMPLETELY REMOVED ALL COMPONENTS; RAIL, ANCHOR, AND MOTOR. I CAN ONLY USE THE LAP BELT NOW, AND NOT THE SHOULDER RESTRAINT. IT IS STATE LAW IN OHIO TO HAVE SHOULDER RESTRAINTS. I AM ALSO AFRAID OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THEIR MISTAKE OF $700. I HAD REPORTED IT TO THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP, BUT HE SAID THEY HAD TO DO IT. I NEVER GAVE MY PERMISSION TO REMOVE THE ASSEMBLY. I HAVE THE ASSEMBLY IN MY POSSESSION. I WOULD LIKE SOMETHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS MATTER. PLEASE HELP. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 195/60/15 )

NHTSA ODI #723631

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