MYRModel Year Report

1993 Ford Escort

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1993 Ford Escort
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
383
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1993

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seat belts

28% 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 1990 1991: 335 complaints 1992: 166 complaints 1993: 383 complaints 1993 383 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 1991 1992: 166 complaints 1993: 383 complaints 1993 383 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 1993: 383 complaints 1993 383 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

1993: 383 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.

Seat belts

28% · 109 reports

Most commonly citing anchorage and retractor.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

My son was killed in an auto accident. He was the driver. The shoulder harness broke loose from the door frame. His car was a 1993 Ford Escort with automatic shoulder harness.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-11

Vehicle speed control

13% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing linkages and cruise control.

CRASHINJURY

Fuel system, gasoline

13% · 48 reports

Most commonly citing tank assembly and fuel pump.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Car caught fire. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-05

Also filed under Power train

Tl* the contact owns a 1993 Ford Escort. While the vehicle was parked, the contact smelled a strong odor of fuel inside and outside of the vehicle. In addition, excessive fuel was leaking from the fuel tank.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-06

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system

Electrical system

10% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing switch and interior/under dash.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer's wife wasd driving and suddenlly smoke began to come from under the dash, and vehicle shut off. Consumer's wife was able to drift to side of the road and call a tow truck after she could not restart vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-23

Service brakes

9% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1993Complaint volume 383 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1994-01-28Engineering analysisClosed 1995-01-31 Fuel pump wiring shortage
  3. R
    1994-05-17Seats94V055000 The lock plate of the driver side inboard seat track adjusters were manufactured with an unauthorized modification to the fabrication process which causes the seat not to fully engage in certain…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver side inboard seat track.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  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 →

  5. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1993 Ford Escort — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 109 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 49 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 48 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 94V055000 · Seats
  • Recall 94E019000 · Suspension
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1993 Ford Escort reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1993 Ford Escort is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Ford Escort?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1993 Ford Escort have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.