1981 Ford Escort
Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 10
- Investigations
- 4
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 1981
Opened by NHTSA
Not enough data
Complaints per year
1981: 1 complaint
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 4 |
| 1983 | 7 |
| 1984 | 21 |
| 1985 | 26 |
| 1986 | 46 |
| 1987 | 59 |
| 1988 | 148 |
| 1989 | 152 |
| 1990 | 104 |
| 1991 | 335 |
| 1992 | 166 |
| 1993 | 383 |
| 1994 | 289 |
| 1995 | 576 |
| 1996 | 205 |
| 1997 | 543 |
| 1998 | 375 |
| 1999 | 325 |
| 2000 | 98 |
| 2001 | 68 |
| 2002 | 33 |
| 2003 | 10 |
Known problem areas
Only 1 complaint on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Seats
1 of 1 total report mentions: seats.
Show complaint excerpts
Seat frame and slide rail supports failed.
NHTSA ODI report, 1997-03-25
Safety timeline
10 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1980-10-01Electrical system80V133000 Some of the involved vehicles were produced with an engine compartment wire assembly that may have been routed above the air conditioning suction hose. This hose may push up on the wiring harness…
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, correct the wiring harness routing at no charge to owner.
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1980-10-03Service brakes, hydraulic80V134000 On certain vehicles, the right and left hand rear brake backing plate attachment bolts may not have been tightened to the correct specifications. Backing plate bolts may not be able to withstand the…
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and tighten the bolts to the proper specifications. Rear brake tubes will be replaced, if necessary, at no charge to owner.
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1980-10-23Fuel system, gasoline80V142000 On certain vehicles, metal fasteners that were used to secure the carpeting to the floor pan may have accidentally penetrated the top of the fuel tank. This would result in a slight fuel leak.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect vehicles for penetration of the fuel tank by carpet fasteners. Any leaking fuel tanks will be replaced and the floor pan will be sealed, without charge to owners.
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1981-05-13Vehicle speed control81V045000 Fuel may possibly travel through the speed control vacuum lines and into the speed control actuation device (Serv0). The fuel can damage seals in the actuator servo and allow vacuum leaks. Such a…
Remedy: The vacuum check valve and hose assembly will be replaced and the speed control servo will be replaced if it has been damaged.
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1981-06-26Service brakes, hydraulic81V084000 Some vehicles equipped with power brake boosters have front and rear shells that may have been improperly joined. Improperly joined booster shells may separate either partially or completely during…
Remedy: All defective boosters will be replaced at no charge to owner.
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1981-08-14Fuel system, gasoline81V092000 Some of the involved vehicles have an electrically ungrounded fuel inlet. These vehicles are subject to static charge accumulation at the fuel filler pipe opening, which can occur if these vehicles…
Remedy: A grounding connection from the filler pipe inlet to the vehicle body and a static electricity suppression rod inside the filler pipe will be installed at no charge to owner.
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1983-03-23Engineering analysisClosed 1989-01-26 Front seatback failure
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1983-04-08Seat belts83V013000 The portion of the roof above frame (Rail) to which the shoulder belt is anchored may have a slot that can compromise the strength of the shoulder belt anchor under certain severe loads. (The…
Remedy: The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, reinforce the roof rail inner panel surrounding the drainage hole at no cost to owner.
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1983-07-18Latches/locks/linkages83V063000 Door lock pillars could develop fatigue cracks from normal usage of door, at the point where door latch striker reinforcements are attached.
Remedy: Any damaged lock pillars will be repaired and reinforcements will be installed between the door latch striker and lock pillars.
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1984-01-16Defect petitionClosed 1984-07-17 Timing chain failure
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1984-05-30Defect petitionClosed 1984-09-10 Stalling and carburetor malfunctions
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1984-08-13Seats84V085000 Screw that connects the seat back frame to the recliner mechanism may break.
Remedy: The attachment screw on the driver"S seat will be replaced by one of a larger diameter.
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1984-08-14Seats84V071000 Seat frame structure could sever front seat belts if vehicle is involved in an accident, depending on force of impact.
Remedy: Dealer will install a molded spacer between reinforcement plates and lower decorative plastic cover.
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1985-01-29Defect petitionClosed 1985-02-27 Failure of seat back securing bolts
Buy-smart checklist
1981 Ford Escort — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Seats: 1 report on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 80V133000 · Electrical system
- Recall 80V134000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 80V142000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 81V045000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 81V084000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 81V092000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 83V013000 · Seat belts
- Recall 83V063000 · Latches/locks/linkages
- Recall 84V085000 · Seats
- Recall 84V071000 · Seats
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1981 Ford Escort reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 1981 Ford Escort?
- The most-reported component is seats, accounting for 100% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1981 Ford Escort have?
- 10 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.