MYRModel Year Report

1995 Ford Escort

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1995 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
576
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1995

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 1994: 289 complaints 1995: 576 complaints 1995 576 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 1993 1994: 289 complaints 1995: 576 complaints 1995 576 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 1995: 576 complaints 1995 576 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

1995: 576 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% · 160 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2018-01-05

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, 2012-07-30

Fuel system, gasoline

22% · 129 reports

Most commonly citing tank assembly and filler pipe and cap.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Air bags

12% · 68 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-28

Airbag deployed with great force during accident and injured the passenger.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-17

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Engine and engine cooling

11% · 62 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Electrical system

9% · 52 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and switch.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2003-10-07

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1994-12-18Air bags94V197000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install and torque to specification the mounting bolts for the passenger side air bag.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  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. ▮
    1995Complaint volume 576 complaints filed for this model year.
  4. I
    1997-09-11Recall queryClosed 2000-05-22 Fuel tank assembly
  5. R
    1997-09-30Fuel system, gasoline97V144000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    1997-09-30Fuel system, gasoline97V145000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. 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

1995 Ford Escort — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 160 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 129 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 68 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 94V197000 · Air bags
  • Recall 94V218000 · Air bags
  • Recall 97V144000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 97V145000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • 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 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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.