MYRModel Year Report

Ford Escort — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

6 model years to avoid, 2 to watch and 6 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid6 years

Caution2 years

Best bets6 years

Complaint history

1981: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1981 1982: 4 complaints, Not enough data 1983: 7 complaints, Not enough data 1984: 21 complaints, Not enough data 1984 1985: 26 complaints, Not enough data 1986: 46 complaints, Recommended 1987: 59 complaints, Recommended 1987 1988: 148 complaints, Recommended 1989: 152 complaints, Recommended 1990: 104 complaints, Recommended 1990 1991: 335 complaints, Avoid 1992: 166 complaints, Recommended 1993: 383 complaints, Avoid 1994: 289 complaints, Caution 1995: 576 complaints, Avoid 1995 1996: 205 complaints, Caution 1997: 543 complaints, Avoid 1998: 375 complaints, Avoid 1999: 325 complaints, Avoid 1999 2000: 98 complaints, Recommended 2001: 68 complaints, Recommended 2002: 33 complaints, Recommended 2002 2003: 10 complaints, Not enough data 1995 · 576
1981: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1981 1982: 4 complaints, Not enough data 1983: 7 complaints, Not enough data 1983 1984: 21 complaints, Not enough data 1985: 26 complaints, Not enough data 1985 1986: 46 complaints, Recommended 1987: 59 complaints, Recommended 1987 1988: 148 complaints, Recommended 1989: 152 complaints, Recommended 1989 1990: 104 complaints, Recommended 1991: 335 complaints, Avoid 1991 1992: 166 complaints, Recommended 1993: 383 complaints, Avoid 1993 1994: 289 complaints, Caution 1995: 576 complaints, Avoid 1995 1996: 205 complaints, Caution 1997: 543 complaints, Avoid 1997 1998: 375 complaints, Avoid 1999: 325 complaints, Avoid 1999 2000: 98 complaints, Recommended 2001: 68 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 33 complaints, Recommended 2003: 10 complaints, Not enough data 2003 1995 · 576
1981: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1981 1982: 4 complaints, Not enough data 1982 1983: 7 complaints, Not enough data 1983 1984: 21 complaints, Not enough data 1984 1985: 26 complaints, Not enough data 1985 1986: 46 complaints, Recommended 1986 1987: 59 complaints, Recommended 1987 1988: 148 complaints, Recommended 1988 1989: 152 complaints, Recommended 1989 1990: 104 complaints, Recommended 1990 1991: 335 complaints, Avoid 1991 1992: 166 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 383 complaints, Avoid 1993 1994: 289 complaints, Caution 1994 1995: 576 complaints, Avoid 1995 1996: 205 complaints, Caution 1996 1997: 543 complaints, Avoid 1997 1998: 375 complaints, Avoid 1998 1999: 325 complaints, Avoid 1999 2000: 98 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 68 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 33 complaints, Recommended 2002 2003: 10 complaints, Not enough data 2003 1995 · 576
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2003 ○ Not enough data 10 Only 10 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2002 ▲ Recommended 33 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2001 ▲ Recommended 68 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2000 ▲ Recommended 98 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1999 ■ Avoid 325 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1998 ■ Avoid 375 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1997 ■ Avoid 543 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1996 ◆ Caution 205 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1995 ■ Avoid 576 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1994 ◆ Caution 289 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1993 ■ Avoid 383 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1992 ● Recommended 166 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1991 ■ Avoid 335 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1990 ▲ Recommended 104 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1989 ● Recommended 152 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1988 ● Recommended 148 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1987 ▲ Recommended 59 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1986 ▲ Recommended 46 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1985 ○ Not enough data 26 Only 26 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1984 ○ Not enough data 21 Only 21 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1983 ○ Not enough data 7 Only 7 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1982 ○ Not enough data 4 Only 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1981 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

38

recalls on file across every Ford Escort model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Ford models