1983 Ford ESCORT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1983 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 3 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 66.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 33.3% |
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:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 1; Unknown Or Other: 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. 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
1996: 2; 2003: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10036769 · 2003-08-28 (August 28, 2003)
THE CAR PURCHASED WAS FOR 1800 AND THE MECHANIC WHERE PURCHASED FROM TOLD ERIC THAT THE CAR WAS FULLY INSPECTED AND READY FOR THE ROAD. HIS GIRLFRIEND TEST DROVE THE CAR AND TOLD GREG THAT THE BRAKES DIDNT WORK HE SAID HE'D HAVE THEM LOOKED AT. HAD THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS AFTER HE SUPPOSEDLY RE-CHECKED THEM AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO MONRO MUFFLER TO BE RE-CHECKED AND FOUND THAT THE WHOLE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR WAS RUSTED AND ROTTED STRAIGHT THROUGH. THE CAR IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND GREG REFUSES TO RETURN THE MONEY TO THE CONSUMER. IF YOU COULD PLEAS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10036769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504715 · 1996-05-14 (May 14, 1996)
MASTER CYLINDER RIPPED LOOSE FROM FIREWALL DUE TO METAL FATIGUE, CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE/LOSS OF CONTROL. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504715 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 984680 · 1996-05-20 (May 20, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY OWNER SMELLED SMOKE. DRIVER LIFTED HOOD AND WIRING HARNESS WAS ON FIRE NEAR FIREWALL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 984680 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
82V088000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
Reported: 1982-09-16 (September 16, 1982)
DURING A CRASH BARRIER TEST, THE RUBBER HOSE CONNECTING THE FUEL TANK AND THE METAL FILLER PIPE VENT TUBE WAS CUT, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. THE INVOLVED VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY".
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A BRACE BETWEEN THE RIGHT SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL AND THE BODY SIDE RAIL TO IMPROVE FUEL TANK IMPACT RESISTANCE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗83V063000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 1983-06-22 (June 22, 1983)
DOOR LOCK PILLARS COULD DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS FROM NORMAL USAGE OF DOOR, AT THE POINT WHERE DOOR LATCH STRIKER REINFORCEMENTS ARE ATTACHED.
Remedy: ANY DAMAGED LOCK PILLARS WILL BE REPAIRED AND REINFORCEMENTS WILL BE INSTALLED BETWEEN THE DOOR LATCH STRIKER AND LOCK PILLARS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗84V071000 · Seats
Reported: 1984-06-15 (June 15, 1984)
SEAT FRAME STRUCTURE COULD SEVER FRONT SEAT BELTS IF VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, DEPENDING ON FORCE OF IMPACT.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A MOLDED SPACER BETWEEN REINFORCEMENT PLATES AND LOWER DECORATIVE PLASTIC COVER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗85V067000 · Seat Belts:Rear/Other
Reported: 1985-05-21 (May 21, 1985)
REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY ALLOW TWISTED WEBBING TO ENTER THE RETRACTOR HOUSING AND JAM THE RETRACTOR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A JAMMED RETRACTOR WOULD INTERFERE WITH WEBBING RETRACTION AND WITHDRAWAL. THIS WILL DISCOURAGE SEAT BELT USAGE.
Remedy: A CLIP WILL BE INSERTED INTO THE RETRACTOR HOUSING WEBBING TO PREVENT JAMMING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V193000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 1988-12-19 (December 19, 1988)
THE DIAPHRAGM MATERIAL OF THE MECHANICAL FUEL PUMPS MAY DETERIORATE AND ALLOW THE DIAPHRAGM TO RUPTURE.
Consequence: FUEL PUMPED THROUGH THE RUPTURED DIAPHRAGM AND OUT OFTHE VENT OPENING COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW MECHANICAL FUEL PUMPS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGM MATERIAL AND REVISE WIRING FOR ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP CIRCUITS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗