1991 Ford Escort

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

1991 Ford Escort
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints 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 PER YEAR

1991: 335 complaints

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

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 35%

35% of complaints: electrical system — 116 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING A 1991 FORD ESCORT IN DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH WHEN SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD BEHIND THE SPEEDOMETER SECTION. SHE PULLED OVER AND EXITED THE CAR AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040730

MAIN FUSE BLOCK CAUGHT FIRE. *SKD

NHTSA ODI report, 19940727

AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS AND STILL BESIDE THE GAS PUMPS I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE CAR KEPT CRANKING BUT NOT STARTING. TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF AND CAR KEPT CRANKING. PULLED THE KEY OUT AND CAR KEPT CRANKING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130720

SEAT BELTS 21%

21% of complaints: seat belts — 71 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND, AND DRIVER SIDE STRAP BROKE FROM THE FRAME OF THE SEAT BELT. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030708

SHOULDER BELT RELEASED DURING AN ACCIDENT. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950310

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 20%

20% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 66 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fuel pump and tank assembly.

FIRE

POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 33 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

FIRE

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6%

6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

FATALITY INVOLVING 1991 FORD ESCORT. *MR THE CONSUMERS AUNT WAS DRIVING AND WAS SEVERELY INJURED AND THE CONSUMERS MOTHER WAS KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED OR CORRECTED FOR THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040831

WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX 15MPH, SUDDENLY ENGINE SURGED THEN ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, BRAKES SEEMED INEFFECTIVE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950420

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1991 — complaint volume: 335

I 19911203 — PE (closed 19920415)

FUEL TANK LEAKAGE

I 19920415 — EA (closed 19920917)

FUEL TANK LEAKAGE

I 19921006 — PE (closed 19930226)

INADVER. STEERING LOCKUP

R 19921106 — fuel system, gasoline

FATIGUE CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN TUBE AND THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK.

Remedy: INSTALL A NEW FUEL PUMP SENDING ASSEMBLY.

Campaign 92V117000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19930226 — EA (closed 19930426)

INADVERT. STEERING LOCKUP

R 19930625 — electrical system

THE ROLL PINS SECURING THE IGNITION LOCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN HOUSING CAN SEPARATE OR MOVE OUT OF POSITION.

Remedy: IF ONE OR BOTH OF THE ROLL PINS ARE MISSING OR NOT FULLY INSERTED, THE IGNITION LOCK HOUSING WILL BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE DOOR-LOCKS AND THE LIFTGATE OR DECK-LID LOCKS SO THAT KEY COMPATIBILITY IS

Campaign 93V057000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19930903 — PE (closed 19940128)

FUEL PUMP WIRING SHORTAGE

I 19940128 — EA (closed 19950131)

FUEL PUMP WIRING SHORTAGE

R 19940531 — suspension

THE OFFSET TOE ADJUSTING PIN CAN FRACTURE UNDER CONDITIONS SUCH AS TORSIONAL LOADS, FLEXING MOTION, IMPACT LOADS, AND OVERTORQUING.

Remedy: DANA WILL PAY FOR REPLACEMENT AND LABOR COSTS OF THE ADJUSTMENT PIN WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE INSTALLING FACILITY AND THE VEHICLE OWNER. THESE PINS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY A FORD ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PIN ASSE

Campaign 94E019000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — vehicle speed control

INTERFERENCE OCCUR BETWEEN BOLT THAT SECURES A FUEL LINE SHIELD TO THE LOWER PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Remedy: CUT OFF EXTRA LENGTH OF BOLT THAT PROTRUDES ABOVE SURFACE OF WELD NUT TO PREVENT INTERFERENCE.

Campaign 90V076000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1991 Ford Escort — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for electrical system issues (116 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for seat belts issues (71 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (66 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 90V076000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
Verify recall 92V117000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Verify recall 93V057000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Verify recall 94E019000 (suspension) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2002 ▲ 1986 ▲ 1987

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1997 ■ 1993

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1991 Ford Escort reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Ford Escort is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1991 Ford Escort?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1991 Ford Escort have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.