1987 Ford ESCORT: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10011771 · 2003-03-10 (March 10, 2003)
NAR 3-10-03 IN REFERENCE TO A PREVIOUS CLAIM, REQUESTING ASSISTANCE FROM NHTSA. HOWEVER, ACTION MADE WASN'T SATISFACTORY SO NOW THE CONSUMER IS THERE SEEKING LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO EXPEDITE HIS CLAIM. *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011771 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10274512 · 2009-06-18 (June 18, 2009)
CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT A DEFECT INVESTIGATION BE DONE ON THE CRASH DATA REPORT. *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN HIS 1987 FORD ESCORT WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A 2006 CADILLAC ESCALADE THAT HIT THE CONSUMER WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. A CRASH STUDY WAS PERFORMED ON THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CADILLAC WHEN IT HIT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 20 MPH FASTER THAN HE WAS DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW WHY DIDN'T THE CADILLAC'S SDM NOT REGISTER AND RECORD THE FRONTAL CRASH IMPACT WITH THE ESCORT AS A …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10274512 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 476858 · 1995-01-27 (January 27, 1995)
TIMING BELT FAILED. *TW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 476858 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 478260 · 1995-01-03 (January 3, 1995)
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478260 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 487843 · 1995-12-05 (December 5, 1995)
SHOULDER SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487843 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 500850 · 1996-01-16 (January 16, 1996)
BOTH LOWER CONTROL BUSHINGS ON LEFT AXLE FAULTY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500850 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503746 · 1996-04-25 (April 25, 1996)
ENGINE FIRE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503746 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 ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
87V060000 · Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Reported: 1987-04-27 (April 27, 1987)
LUG NUTS COULD GALL AND POSSIBLY SEIZE ON THE WHEEL STUDS WITHOUT PROVIDING ADEQUATE CLAMPING LOAD ON THE WHEELS.
Consequence: WHEEL STUDS COULD FRACTURE CREATING A RISK OF A WHEELSEPARATING WITH LITTLE FOREWARNING.
Remedy: REPLACE WHEEL LUG NUTS AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE WHEELS AND WHEEL STUDS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1987-09-04 (September 4, 1987)
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗89V170000 · Seats
Reported: 1989-10-13 (October 13, 1989)
THE FORWARD OUTBOARD PEDESTAL OF THE SEAT TRACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURE.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LIMITED DEGREE OF ROCKING MOTIONOF THE DRIVERS SEAT ASSEMBLY UPON ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, WHICH COULDCAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT ON ALL MODELS AND A NEW SEAT TRACK AS NECESSARY
NHTSA campaign record ↗