1986 FORD ESCORT

2 recalls, 53 complaints - 31 TSBs

SEATS

Defect Description

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

1,375,500 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Defect Description

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.

3,600,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Complaint Statistics

53 total complaints 3 crashes 20 fires 5 injuries 1 deaths

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH	10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION	5
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD	2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR	2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH	1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER	1

Incident date: Jul 3, 1986

I AM WRITING YOU TODAY ABOUT A SITUATION THAT OCCURRED JULY 3RD 1986 IN MORTON GROVE ILLINOIS AT 11:52P.M. I AM THE MOTHER OF A 2 YEAR OLD THAT WAS BURNED TO DEATH IN A 1986 FORD ESCORT THAT WAS NOT ON IN THE PARKING LOT OF A GROCERY STORE. YES IT HAS BEEN OVER 20 YEARS, BUT DURING THE COURSE OF TH... Read more

Fire 1 deaths

CONSUMER BECAME ILL FROM THE FUMES THAT EMITTED FROM THE HEATER/AC SYSTEM. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THE HEATER/RADIATOR SYSTEM HOWEVER THE CONSUMER REMAINED ILL. *NM

Incident date: Oct 12, 2000

SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS WHILE DRIVING WITH THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE IN THE NORMAL RANGE ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING AT BETWEEN 70-75 MPH THE ENGINE STALLS AND WILL NOT RESTART. WHEN PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD AND REMOVING THE TIMING PLUG AND ALLOWING THE I... Read more

Incident date: Oct 12, 2000

SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS WHILE DRIVING WITH THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE IN THE NORMAL RANGE ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING AT BETWEEN 70-75 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLS AND WILL NOT RESTART. WHEN PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD AND REMOVING THE TIMING PLUG AND ALLOWING THE ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 17, 1996

WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING. CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO GET IT STARTED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED THAT ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD FLASH ON AND STAY ON THROUGH OUT TRAVEL .DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, TECHNICIAN CUT INDICATION LIGHT OFF 4 TIME WITH COST TO CUSTOMER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Incident date: Sep 1, 2000

NO SUMMARY

Incident date: Oct 12, 2000

Incident date: Dec 1, 1998

IGNITION MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN 3 YEARS, CAR WAS STALLING AT LOW SPEED. THE SAME PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE RETURNING.

Incident date: Sep 18, 2000

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL STALL AND CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER NOTED THAT IGNITION WENT BAD WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL . IGNITION WAS REPLACED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.*AK

Incident date: Jun 8, 1999

THE ENTIRE FRAME HAS PREMATURLEY RUSTED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Incident date: Sep 18, 1998

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK, AND VEHICLE WENT DOWNHILL. FRONTAL IMPACT, ONE INJURY TO DRIVER. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED, NO RECALL LISTED. *AK

Crash 1 injured

QUARTER PANEL OVER REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAS WEAKENED TIRE IS BENT IN SLIGHTLY FROM HOLE DEVELOPED RIGHT NEXT TO SHOCK WITHIN INCHES.

Incident date: Aug 1, 1997

LEFT REAR UNIBODY IS RUSTED THROUGH AND IS NOTHING IS HOLDING THE LEFT REAR WHEEL ON VEHICLE.

Incident date: Jun 1, 1995

CARBURETOR FAILED.

Incident date: Apr 20, 1995

ENGINE FIRE.

Incident date: Apr 24, 1996

PLASTIC GOVERNOR IN TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. (FIRST VEHICLE ON 601574)

Incident date: Sep 12, 1996

RUST DEVELOPED IN SUSPENSION OFF THE WELL, CAUSING TIRE TO FALL OFF.

Incident date: Mar 1, 1995

ALUMINUM HEADS OVERHEATED/CRACKED, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK ONTO HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, WHICH STARTED ENGINE FIRE. *DH

Fire

WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM VENTS, THEN SUDDENLY VEHICLE INTERIOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

Fire

Incident date: May 2, 1996

DRIVEN ON FRWY, PARKED IN PARKING LOT, TOOK VEHICLE OFF PARKING LOT, ABOUT 1/4 MILE LATER SAW FLAMES COMING FROM HOOD, FIRE DEPT ARRIVED & PUT FLAMES OUT. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Jan 1, 1990

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, TURNED IGNITION ON AND VEHICLE COMPLETELY BURNED, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Jul 12, 1993

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR THREE MINUTES AND THEN IT WENT UP IN FLAMES. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Fire

TURN SIGNALS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING, NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES YET. *AK

Incident date: Jan 1, 1986

AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEMS DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHICH RESULTED IN FIRE. *DSH

Fire

Incident date: Jan 1, 1996

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, PREVENTING STARTER FROM ENGAGING. *DSH

Incident date: Mar 1, 1996

WAS DRIVING TO A MEETING, PARKED HIS VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT, WENT TO MEETING, RETURNED, SAW FIRE DEPT., SAW VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Mar 1, 1996

WAS DRIVING TO A MEETING, PARKED HIS VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT, WENT TO MEETING, RETURNED, SAW FIRE DEPT., SAW VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK

Fire

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Fire

WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE UNDER HOOD, PARKED VEHICLE, MOMENTS LATER FOUND VEHICLE FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Dec 1, 1995

EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FIRE IN DASH AND UNDERHOOD. PLEASE GIVE DETAILS. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Mar 9, 1996

ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Mar 8, 1994

ELECTRICAL SHORT OR CHOCK CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Sep 29, 1995

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER DURING AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Sep 29, 1995

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER DURING AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Dec 1, 1995

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE DASHBOARD AND CAR WAS ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

Fire

Incident date: Feb 17, 1996

OWNER ENTERED HOME W/CHILD STILL IN REAR OF VEHICLE. NEIGHBOR CAME ABRUPTLY TO INFORM OWNER VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Feb 17, 1996

OWNER ENTERED HOME W/CHILD STILL IN REAR OF VEHICLE. NEIGHBOR CAME ABRUPTLY TO INFORM OWNER VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Jan 8, 1996

HEADLIGHTS ARE PLASTIC AND DETERIORATED TO SUCH A CLOUDY CONDITION THAT VERY LITTLE LIGHT REACHES THE HIGHWAY. *AK

Incident date: Feb 9, 1996

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ENGINE STARTED IT SMOKED AND CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE CAR WAS TOTALED . TT

Fire

Incident date: Feb 3, 1996

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH SAW SMOKE IN VEHICLE GOT OUT TO TAKE A LOOK AND ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. CAR WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETIALS. TT

Fire

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING CAR ACCELERATES WITHOUT PUTTING FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR . TT

Incident date: Jul 21, 1995

REAR STRUT TOWERS RUSTED OUT; COULD CAUSE TIRES TO FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING. TT

Incident date: Sep 1, 1994

WIRING HARNESS FAILED, CAUSING FIRE. *SKD

Fire

Incident date: Mar 5, 1994

WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR COMING TO STOP, ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. TT

BRAKE FLUID LEAKS WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Incident date: Oct 7, 1994

FRAME BROKEN IN TWO PLACES, DEFECTIVE TIE RODS, ETC. PLEASE EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL. TT

Incident date: Oct 7, 1994

FRAME BROKEN IN TWO PLACES, DEFECTIVE TIE RODS, ETC. PLEASE EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL. TT

Incident date: Jan 10, 1995

HEAD GASKET BOLT SNAPPED OFF WHILE ASSEMBLES. TT

Incident date: Jan 10, 1995

O1L PUMP MAKES LOUD GRINDING NOISE. TT

Showing 50 of 53 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1986 FORD ESCORT

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
1.9L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	21.0	26.0	23.0	Regular	$2,650
1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	26.0	35.0	29.0	Regular	$2,100
1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	23.0	31.0	26.0	Regular	$2,350
1.9L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	19.0	26.0	22.0	Regular	$2,800
1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	21.0	29.0	24.0	Regular	$2,550
2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	31.0	39.0	34.0	Diesel	$2,350

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1986 FORD ESCORT

31 manufacturer communications from 25 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	4
063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM	3
034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC	3
061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	2
114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING	2
103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER	2
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER	1
136200 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR	1

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

138600 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONCERNS WITH PREMATURE FAILURE OCCURING ON THE 1.9L MOTORCRAFT REMANUFACTURED LONGBLOCK ASSEMBLY AND SHORTBLOCK ASSEMBLY DUE TO INGESTION OF FOREIGN OBJECTS REMAINING IN THE TRANSFERRED INTAKE SYSTEM FROM THE ORIGINAL FAILED ENGINE.

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC

190000 TIRES

INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC

063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT

034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD

103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW

103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

TORQUE CONVERTER - LEAK TEST PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TW

114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW

131000 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW

036000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IT MAY BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE RUBBER MATERIAL USED IN THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM. IF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE IS USED TO LUBRICATE ANY PAR

162000 STRUCTURE:BODY

SHEET METAL-ROOF PANEL AND DRIP RAIL REPLACEMENT- SEAM SEALER APPLICATION PROCEDURE.*SD

136200 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

A REVISED SERVICE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS NOW AVAILABLE. *TW

061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

A REVISED SERVICE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS NOW AVAILABLE. *TW

011000 STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

UNKNOWN

034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

UNKNOWN

063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

UNKNOWN

116000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

UNKNOWN

138800 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

UNKNOWN

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

UNKNOWN

034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

ROUGHNESS CONCERN DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. *TW

063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

LETTER TO DEALERS INFORMING THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD ALL OF THE RECALL WORK, FROM RECALLS 93E38 AND 93E39, PERFORMED. *TW

182000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

ROUGH RUNNING AT STEADY HIGHWAY CRUISE SPEEDS. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations, FORD ESCORT

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1997

WATER INTRUSION INTO AIRBAG MONITOR

BY LETTER OF DECEMBER 6, 2002, FORD NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON ALL 1997 FORD ESCORT AND MERCURY TRACER VEHICLES.FORD FOUND THAT ELECTRICAL SHORTING OF THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR (IABM)DUE TO LIQUID INTRUSION OF WATER OR ENGINE COOLANT CAN OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VE... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1997

INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR WATER

DP, Closed , Model Year: 1998

AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT

RQ, Closed , Model Year: 1995

FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY