1993 Ford ESCORT: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000957 · 2003-01-11 (January 11, 2003)
MY SON WAS KILLED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT. HE WAS THE DRIVER. THE SHOULDER HARNESS BROKE LOOSE FROM THE DOOR FRAME. HIS CAR WAS A 1993 FORD ESCORT WITH AUTOMATIC SHOULDER HARNESS. THE SHOULDER HARNESS ASSEMBLY STAYED IN THE DOOR FRAME, BUT THE PART THAT HOLDS THE SHOULDER HARNESS IN THE UNIT BROKE. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000957 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 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 10013614 · 2003-03-28 (March 28, 2003)
AUTOMATIC DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 98,181 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015133 · 2003-04-03 (April 3, 2003)
BOTH REAR LEAF SPRINGS BROKE ON THE VEHICLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015133 at NHTSA ↗
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 10020504 · 2003-05-23 (May 23, 2003)
THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD WORE PREMATURELY (GOODYEAR INFINITRED, P175/70R13-82S PLEASE PROVIDE THE DOT NUMBER). *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020504 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021340 · 2003-06-10 (June 10, 2003)
THE "REAR LATERIAL LINK", WHICH IS PART OF THE REAR SUSPENSION ON THE FORD ESCORT HAS A PROBLEM WITH BREAKAGE WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. MY SON'S BROKE AT 35MPH AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 78,446 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021340 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
94V055000 · Seats
Reported: 1994-03-26 (March 26, 1994)
THE LOCK PLATE OF THE DRIVER SIDE INBOARD SEAT TRACK ADJUSTERS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH AN UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATION TO THE FABRICATION PROCESS WHICH CAUSES THE SEAT NOT TO FULLY ENGAGE IN CERTAIN SEATING POSITIONS NEAR THE MID-POINT OF THE SEAT TRACK TRAVEL.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THE SEAT CAN MOVE, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN REDUCED OCCUPANT PROTECTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE INBOARD SEAT TRACK.
NHTSA campaign record ↗