MYRModel Year Report

1988 Ford Escort

● Typical for this model
1988 Ford Escort
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:47:06.085Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
148
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1988

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

55% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 4 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 21 complaints 1984 1985: 26 complaints 1986: 46 complaints 1987: 59 complaints 1988: 148 complaints 1988 148 1989: 152 complaints 1990: 104 complaints 1991: 335 complaints 1992: 166 complaints 1993: 383 complaints 1993 1994: 289 complaints 1995: 576 complaints 1996: 205 complaints 1996 1997: 543 complaints 1998: 375 complaints 1999: 325 complaints 1999 2000: 98 complaints 2001: 68 complaints 2002: 33 complaints 2002 2003: 10 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 4 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1983 1984: 21 complaints 1985: 26 complaints 1985 1986: 46 complaints 1987: 59 complaints 1988: 148 complaints 1988 148 1989: 152 complaints 1990: 104 complaints 1991: 335 complaints 1991 1992: 166 complaints 1993: 383 complaints 1993 1994: 289 complaints 1995: 576 complaints 1995 1996: 205 complaints 1997: 543 complaints 1997 1998: 375 complaints 1999: 325 complaints 1999 2000: 98 complaints 2001: 68 complaints 2001 2002: 33 complaints 2003: 10 complaints 2003
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 7 complaints 1983 1984: 21 complaints 1984 1985: 26 complaints 1985 1986: 46 complaints 1986 1987: 59 complaints 1987 1988: 148 complaints 1988 148 1989: 152 complaints 1989 1990: 104 complaints 1990 1991: 335 complaints 1991 1992: 166 complaints 1992 1993: 383 complaints 1993 1994: 289 complaints 1994 1995: 576 complaints 1995 1996: 205 complaints 1996 1997: 543 complaints 1997 1998: 375 complaints 1998 1999: 325 complaints 1999 2000: 98 complaints 2000 2001: 68 complaints 2001 2002: 33 complaints 2002 2003: 10 complaints 2003

1988: 148 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19824
19837
198421
198526
198646
198759
1988148
1989152
1990104
1991335
1992166
1993383
1994289
1995576
1996205
1997543
1998375
1999325
200098
200168
200233
200310

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

55% · 82 reports

Most commonly citing switch and interior/under dash.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Alternator started engine fire. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-01

Engine compartment fire occurred after being parked for 20 minutes. Please describe details. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-09

I bought this vehicle from my uncle when it was 3 years old with 40,000 miles on it. It began stalling a year or so after I bought it. I had it in to both a Ford and independent repair shop with a variety of reasons given for it stalling.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-01

Engine and engine cooling

18% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Engine fire. (Ohio state police report)

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-11-20

Car has been stalling regardless of speed. Took to mechanic to determine problem. Mechanic has (So far) identified bad head gasket. I am second owner of this vehicle and it has only 67,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-10-03

Seat belts

11% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASHINJURY

Exterior lighting

10% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing switch and headlights.

FIRE

Steering

8% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and tie rod assembly.

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1987-10-12Fuel system, gasoline87V139000 Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.

    Remedy: Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1988-01-11Defect petitionClosed 1988-08-24 Rear seat belt compliance
  3. I
    1988-08-29Engineering analysisClosed 1990-05-11 Rear safety belt fit
  4. I
    1989-07-18Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-12-27 Passive belt failure
  5. I
    1989-12-27Engineering analysisClosed 1991-12-31 Failed passive restraint
  6. I
    1990-03-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-07-31 Safety belt d-ring
  7. R
    1996-06-07Electrical system96V071000 The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1988 Ford Escort — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 82 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 27 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 17 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 87V139000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 96V071000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1988 Ford Escort reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Ford Escort is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1988 Ford Escort?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 55% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 Ford Escort have?
2 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.