MYRModel Year Report

1992 Ford Escort

● Typical for this model
1992 Ford Escort
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:35:17.597Z

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
166
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1992

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

25% 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 1987 1988: 148 complaints 1989: 152 complaints 1990: 104 complaints 1991: 335 complaints 1992: 166 complaints 1992 166 1993: 383 complaints 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 1987 1988: 148 complaints 1989: 152 complaints 1989 1990: 104 complaints 1991: 335 complaints 1992: 166 complaints 1992 166 1993: 383 complaints 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 1989: 152 complaints 1989 1990: 104 complaints 1990 1991: 335 complaints 1991 1992: 166 complaints 1992 166 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

1992: 166 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

25% · 41 reports

Most commonly citing switch and interior/under dash.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

After driving vehicle a short distance there was the smell of electrical wire burning and soon after, smoke emerged from the defroster vents. Vehicle was shut off and smoking quit.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-07

Fuel system, gasoline

22% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing tank assembly and fuel pump.

FIRE

Seat belts

17% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle hit tree; driver's/passenger's automatic shoulder harness and lap belt did not hold. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-04-27

Driver's automatic shoulder harness did not hold upon impact; driver fell forward; vehicle was rearended during bumper to bumper traffic. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-04-21

Vehicle speed control

14% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

When applying brakes, vehicle accelerated, resulting in accident 1ST time, almost hit a person 2ND time, replace throttle sensor/idle speed control.…

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-04-03

Service brakes

10% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1992-09-18Exterior lighting92V103000 The stop lamp switches could intermittently malfunction resulting in the stop lamps not illuminating when the brakes are applied.

    Remedy: Replace the faulty stop lamp switches.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1992-11-06Fuel system, gasoline92V117000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1994-01-28Engineering analysisClosed 1995-01-31 Fuel pump wiring shortage
  4. R
    1994-05-31Suspension94E019000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1992 Ford Escort — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 41 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 37 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 29 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 92V103000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 92V117000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 94E019000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1992 Ford Escort reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1992 Ford Escort is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Ford Escort?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1992 Ford Escort have?
3 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.