1986 Ford ESCORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
39 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
80,150 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 39 complaints (23.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 17.9% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 12.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.6% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 9 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 9; Electrical System:Ignition: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 38 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 8 |
| 1996 | 22 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 8; 1996: 22; 2000: 5; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2004: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 485070 · 1995-06-06 (June 6, 1995)
WIRING HARNESS FAILED, CAUSING FIRE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485070 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503803 · 1996-04-25 (April 25, 1996)
AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEMS DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHICH RESULTED IN FIRE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007035 · 2000-10-14 (October 14, 2000)
SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS WHILE DRIVING WITH THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE IN THE NORMAL RANGE ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING AT BETWEEN 70-75 MPH THE ENGINE STALLS AND WILL NOT RESTART. WHEN PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD AND REMOVING THE TIMING PLUG AND ALLOWING THE IGNITION MODULE TO COOL FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES THE ENGINE RESTARTS. THE ENGINE WILL NOT RESTART WITHOUT REMOVING THE TIMING PLUG. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE AND THE IGNITION MODULE PICKUP WITH ORIGINAL FACTORY REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE PROBLEM G…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734155 · 2000-10-12 (October 12, 2000)
IGNITION MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN 3 YEARS, CAR WAS STALLING AT LOW SPEED. THE SAME PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE RETURNING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734155 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503868 · 1996-05-03 (May 3, 1996)
PLASTIC GOVERNOR IN TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. (FIRST VEHICLE ON 601574)
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503868 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 964053 · 1995-04-20 (April 20, 1995)
BRAKE FLUID LEAKS WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964053 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983158 · 1996-04-19 (April 19, 1996)
ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983158 at NHTSA ↗