MYRModel Year Report

1994 Ford Escort

◆ Worse than typical
1994 Ford Escort
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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
289
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1994

Investigations
0

None on file

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 1994: 289 complaints 1994 289 1995: 576 complaints 1996: 205 complaints 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 1994: 289 complaints 1994 289 1995: 576 complaints 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 1994: 289 complaints 1994 289 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

1994: 289 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% · 82 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Automatic seatbelt is jammed and seatbelt no longer works

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-10-21

1994 Ford Escort. Consumer writes in regards to passive restraint shoulder belt not working for a couple of years.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-19

Air bags

19% · 56 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Frontal collision impact 12:00 position speed 45 MPH, air bag did not deploy. "Dup 950412: 960281". Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-21

Had a frontal collision driving 45MPH, driver side air bag did not deploy. "Dup: see 960247". Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-21

Frontal collision, impact 12:00 position, speed 50 MPH, air bag partially deployed. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-10

Engine and engine cooling

13% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE

Electrical system

11% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing switch and ignition.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Service brakes

9% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1994Complaint volume 289 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1994-12-30Air bags94V218000 The driver side air bag module can have an inadequately welded inflator canister.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new air bag module.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. 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

1994 Ford Escort — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 82 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 56 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 37 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 94V218000 · Air bags
  • 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 1994 Ford Escort reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Ford Escort is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Ford Escort?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1994 Ford Escort have?
2 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.