1987 Ford ESCORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
40 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 40 complaints (27.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 5 | 12.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 12.5% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 10.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.5% |
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 | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 7 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 7; Electrical System:Ignition: 4; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 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 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 40 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 | 5 |
| 1996 | 22 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1995: 5; 1996: 22; 2000: 2; 2001: 8; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 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 561867 · 2001-07-03 (July 3, 2001)
CONSUMER STATES SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE, THIS IS FOURTH MODULE PART THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE MODULE GPD GOES OUT IT CAUSES VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER STATES MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP NOT WILLING TO HONOR WARRANTY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 561867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8001226 · 2001-12-28 (December 28, 2001)
VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING SINCE 1992. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8001226 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503907 · 1996-05-06 (May 6, 1996)
SHORT CIRCUIT IN WIRING CAUSED ENGINE FIRE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503907 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983098 · 1996-04-19 (April 19, 1996)
HIS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS DRAINING HIS BATTERY AND HE WANTS TO KNOW IF THAT IS REALTED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983098 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959490 · 1995-02-02 (February 2, 1995)
NOTICED STEERING WHEEL HAD BECOME LOOSE AND GIVING TO ONE SIDE, FOUND STEERING WHEEL WHICH IS CAST IRON INSIDE HAD CRACKED, DUE TO FATIGUE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959490 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983425 · 1996-04-24 (April 24, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH MELTED DOWN IN THE STEERING COLUMN, REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983425 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 478260 · 1995-01-03 (January 3, 1995)
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478260 at NHTSA ↗