MYRModel Year Report

Ford Escort — YEARS TO AVOID

Data updated 2026-08-02. Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

Avoid: 1995, 1997, 1998, 1993, 1991, 1999 · Best bets: 2002, 1986, 1987, 2001, 2000, 1990

COMPLAINT HISTORY

Complaints per year, Ford Escort Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 4 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 21 complaints 1984 1985: 26 complaints 1986: 45 complaints 1987: 56 complaints 1987 1988: 143 complaints 1989: 152 complaints 1990: 101 complaints 1990 1991: 327 complaints 1992: 162 complaints 1993: 379 complaints 1993 1994: 279 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 2003
2003: 10 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19824
19837
198421
198526
198645
198756
1988143
1989152
1990101
1991327
1992162
1993379
1994279
1995576
1996205
1997543
1998375
1999325
200098
200168
200233
200310

EVERY YEAR, RANKED

YearRankingComplaintsWhy
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 279 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1993 Avoid 379 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1992 Recommended 162 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1991 Avoid 327 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1990 Recommended 101 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 143 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1987 Recommended 56 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1986 Recommended 45 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.