1993 Ford ESCORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
219 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
82,170 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1993 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 219 complaints (11.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 24 | 11.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 19 | 8.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 15 | 6.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 5.5% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 4.1% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 2.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 24 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 23 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 14 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 11 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 9 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 8 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 |
Seat Belts: 24; Vehicle Speed Control: 23; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 14; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 11; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 9; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 8; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 5
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 197 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 | 59 |
| 1996 | 36 |
| 2000 | 52 |
| 2001 | 23 |
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2003 | 18 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
1995: 59; 1996: 36; 2000: 52; 2001: 23; 2002: 15; 2003: 18; 2004: 5; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 5; 2009: 1; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 19 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 15 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 10016680 · 2003-04-29 (April 29, 2003)
I BOUGHT A USED CAR THROUGH EBAY FROM ADAM FROM EAST COAST MOTORS USED CAR DEALER FOR $1200. HE ADVERTISED THE CAR AS HAVING ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG, BOTH SAFETY FEAURES WHICH I NEEDED FOR MY GIRLFRIEND AND FUTURE CHILD. UPON TAKING IT FOR A REQUIRED PA INSPECTION 2 WEEKS LATER, AND SPENDING $700 FOR IT JUST TO PASS, I FOUND OUT IT DIDN'T HAVE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES OR DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG. I CONTACTED HIM AND WE AGREED ON A REFUND OF $200. BEFORE I GOT HIS ATTORNEY'S PAPERS TO SIGN BEFORE HE SENT THE REFUND, I RECE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016680 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041593 · 2003-10-10 (October 10, 2003)
BRAKES WEAK SINCE CAR WAS NEW. PEDAL GOES ALMOST COMPLETELY TO FLOOR BEFORE BRAKING AND EVEN THEN POORLY. HAVE REPLACED BRAKE PADS, DISCS, DRUMS, HOSES, MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER (EVERY COMPONENT), BLED AND ADJUSTED SEVERAL TIMES TO NO EFFECT. CALLING TO FORD TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND GET THEM TO FIX IT WAS A WASTE OF TIME. APPEARS MANUFACTURER WAS KNOWN OF A PROBLEM AND RELEASED A T.S.B. ONLY AFTER ALL VEHICLES COVERED WERE OUT OF WARRANTY. CHECKED WITH DEALER AND PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. I FELT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OUT DUE TO THIS PROBLEM A…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006958 · 2002-10-02 (October 2, 2002)
FUEL TANK LEAKING AT HOSE FITTING. CRACK IN PLASTIC TANK. NO REPLACEMENT AVAILABLE DUE TO MANY FAILURES. BOUGHT CAR NEW AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK. SEAT BELTS FAIL TO RETRACT IN REAR SEAT COMPARTMENT. DEALER FIXED TWICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. *MR *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*768008
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006958 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048087 · 2003-11-17 (November 17, 2003)
THE FUEL PUMP SHORTED OUT AND BURNT THE WIRING HARNESS. THERE'S A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048087 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043458 · 2003-10-23 (October 23, 2003)
1993 FORD ESCORT WAGON - REAR WINDOW DEFROST - ELECTRICAL WIRING SHORTED AT HATCHBACK DOOR. WIRE HARNESS WAS CRACKED AT BEND POINT FOR REAR DOOR TO OPEN. ALL MOST ALL WIRES GOING TO HATCHBACK DOOR HAD BEEN EXPOSED DOWN TO THE CORE WIRE! WHEN REAR DEFROST WAS TURNED ON A SMELL OF BURNT PLASTIC WAS DETECTED, THEN SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM DRIVER SIDE DASH. DEFROST AT HATCHBACK DOOR HAD SHORTED WITH TAIL LIGHT WIRING, MELTING WIRING BACK INTO FUSE BOX. FIRE WAS PREVENTED BY SHUTTING OFF DEFROST. BUT REAR BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. …
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043458 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051628 · 2003-12-16 (December 16, 2003)
WHILE PUSHING IN THE CLUTCH,THE TRANSMISSION IDLED HIGH . THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HAD THEM TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY AND SENSOR AND REPLACE THE AIR FILTER. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10051628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10133008 · 2005-08-16 (August 16, 2005)
DT: PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AT A USED LOT. AFTER 90 DAYS THE TRANSMISSION PUMP WENT OUT. BOUGHT IT WITH 48,000 MILES. WENT TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANIC SHOPS, AND THEY SAID IT HAD TOO MUCH WEAR FOR THAT AMOUNT OF MILEAGE. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAME OFF, THE SHOCKS WERE BAD, THE TIRES WERE AL DEFECTIVE, AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE DEALER FROM WHO THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WAS OUT BUSINESS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10133008 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004677 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
WHILE TURNING AT 30 MPH STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT A TREE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004677 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10191761 · 2007-05-25 (May 25, 2007)
AS BRIEFLY AND SUCCINTLY AS I CAN; MY FATHER WAS DRIVING A 1993 FORD ESCORT STATION WAGON ON ONE OF THE LAST DAYS OF WINTER WHEN HE APPARENTLY HIT A PATCH OF BLACK ICE. HE DID GO LEFT OF CENTER AND WAS HIT BY AN ONCOMING VEHICLE (EACH VEHICLE @ 35MPH). MY QUESTION INVOLVES THE SIDE IMPACT CAPABILITY OF THIS MODEL - THE IMPACT WAS AS CLOSE TO BEING RIGHT ON THE "B'" PILLAR AS POSSIBLE AND THIS THING JUST FOLDED IN HALF. THE ROOF FOLDED, THE FLOOR BUCKLED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS TOUCHING THE STEERING WHEEL. AT THIS POINT, I NEED TO EMPHASI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10191761 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10186626 · 2007-03-31 (March 31, 2007)
IN 1992 I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 1993 ESCORT GT SPARTANBURG, SC. THE 1ST PART OF THE YEAR EVERYTHING WAS FINE. AFTER, THE CAR WAS IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP TO DATE FOR HESITATION, FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEMS, ODD NOISES AND OTHER THINGS. I FILED FOR LEMON LAW IN 1993-94 IN TEXAS. WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REPLACE THE MOTOR, COULD TAKE UP TO A MONTH BEFORE I GOT THE CAR BACK. WHEN ASKED IF THEY WOULD SUPPLY A LOANER CAR I WAS TOLD NO. WITHOUT FINANCES TO RENT A CAR TO GET TO & FROM WORK (50 MLS DAILY) I COULD NOT ACCEPT THE OFFER AT THAT TIME WITHOUT THEM PR…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10186626 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 556630 · 2000-10-31 (October 31, 2000)
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING OR WILL NOT START, CONSUMER BELIEVES IT'S A FAULTY IGNITION WHICH IS BEING RECALL IN CALIFORNIA. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 556630 at NHTSA ↗