1995 Ford Escort

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

1995 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

1995: 576 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.

SEAT BELTS 28%

28% of complaints: seat belts — 160 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

THE PASSIVE SEAT RESTRAINT DOES NOT RETRACT FULLY. THIS OCCURS WHEN YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. IT HAS TO BE MANUALLY DISCONNECTED. WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE ON IT HESITATES BEFORE RETRACTING TO DRIVERS BODY. THE CAR IS STATIONARY WHEN THIS OCCURS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180105

THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION, WHICH GETS IN THE WAY OF THE WHEEL AND PROVIDES NO SAFETY SUPPORT WERE I TO GET IN A CRASH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120730

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 22%

22% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 129 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and filler pipe and cap.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

AIR BAGS 12%

12% of complaints: air bags — 68 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER STATED THAT HIS WIFE HAD A FRONT END COLLISION AND BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. WIFE SUSTAINED WRIST INJURIES BY THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS WAS NORMAL. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030828

AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITH GREAT FORCE DURING ACCIDENT AND INJURED THE PASSENGER. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19950317

Also filed under VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 62 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 52 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and switch.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH HEARD A PUFF, LOOKED DOWN, AND SAW A FLAM COMING OUT FROM UNDER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20031007

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19941218 — air bags

TWO BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM MODULE TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE MISSING. IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT, THE MODULE CAN COME OUT OF THE INSTRUMENT P

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL AND TORQUE TO SPECIFICATION THE MOUNTING BOLTS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG.

Campaign 94V197000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19941230 — air bags

THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CAN HAVE AN INADEQUATELY WELDED INFLATOR CANISTER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG MODULE.

Campaign 94V218000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 1995 — complaint volume: 576

I 19970911 — RQ (closed 20000522)

FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY

R 19970930 — fuel system, gasoline

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO OR WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANTS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN NEVADA, FLORIDA, HAWAII, TEXAS, CAL

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENTS. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT HEAT SHIELD LOCATION OR FUNCTION, AS THE ATTACHMENTS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP THE SHIELD IN PLACE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS INSTALLED IN

Campaign 97V144000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19970930 — fuel system, gasoline

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ARIZONA. CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TA

Campaign 97V145000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1995 Ford Escort — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for seat belts issues (160 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (129 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for air bags issues (68 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 94V197000 (air bags) has been completed.
Verify recall 94V218000 (air bags) has been completed.
Verify recall 97V144000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Verify recall 97V145000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2002 ▲ 1986 ▲ 1987

WORST YEARS

■ 1997 ■ 1993 ■ 1998

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1995 Ford Escort reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1995 Ford Escort is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1995 Ford Escort?

The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1995 Ford Escort have?

5 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.