1987 FORD ESCORT

3 recalls, 65 complaints - 30 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

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

Defect Description

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.

350 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Complaint Statistics

65 total complaints 1 crashes 31 fires 6 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH	15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION	6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE	2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM	2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD	2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE	2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	1

Incident date: Mar 25, 2008

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 AN... Read more

Crash 3 injured

Incident date: Jul 25, 1996

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

Fire

VEHICLE EXHIBITED A FIRE BY AN UNKNOWN SOURCE IN THE IGNITION COLUMN PER FIRE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATION. *TT

Fire

VEHICLE EXHIBITED A FIRE BY AN UNKNOWN SOURCE IN THE IGNITION COLUMN PER FIRE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATION. *TT

Fire

Incident date: Dec 20, 2001

VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING SINCE 1992. *AK

Incident date: Sep 5, 2001

TFI IGNITION MODULE HAD A DEFECT AND WAS AFFECTED IGNITION SWITCH. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK *SLC

CONSUMER STATES SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE, THIS IS FOURTH MODULE PART THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE MODULE GPD GOES OUT IT CAUSES VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER STATES MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP NOT WILLING TO HONOR WARRANTY. *JB

Incident date: Jul 14, 2001

FORD SHOULD CARRY SEAT BELT PARTS FOR OLDER MODEL VEHICLES PERTAINING TO SAFETY OR HAVE ANOTHER MANUFACTURER WHERE PARTS COULD BE LOCATED. CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. *AK

ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WHEN BEING IN TRAFFIC. DEALERSHIP IS AWRE OF PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN DRIVING FOR 10-12 MILES VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT COMPLETELY , FEELS AS THOUGH TURNING OFF IGNITION. CONSUMER MUST WAIT ABOUT 45 MINUTES BEFORE CAN BE RESTARTED. CONSUMER CONTACTED A MECHANIC, AND REPROGRAMMED COMPUTER, BUT DEFECT OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER. WILL CONTACT MECHANIC AGAIN. *AK

Incident date: Apr 16, 2001

VEHICLE DIES IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS IGNITION MODULE.*AK

Incident date: Apr 9, 2000

IGNITION SWITCH MODULE MALFUCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE TFI MODULE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING. ENGINE STOPPED AND WILL NOT RESTART FOR ABOUT AN HOUR OR TWO. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Incident date: Jan 3, 1999

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH STALLING DUE TO A ENGINE DISPLAY MOUNT PFI MODULE; REPLACEMENT WAS DONE ON TWO OCCASIN WITHIN THREE MONTH. UNABLE TO RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS:

RIGHT REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS RUSTED THROUGH WHICH COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *AK

Incident date: Mar 20, 1998

QUIT RUNNING ON HIGHWAY DURING WASH. DC RUSH HOUR / STALLS EVERY DAY (EVEN AFTER 5 REPAIRED FOR STALLING. *AK)

Incident date: Mar 20, 1998

QUIT RUNNING ON HIGHWAY DURING WASH. DC RUSH HOUR / STALLS EVERY DAY (EVEN AFTER 5 REPAIRED FOR STALLING). *AK

DRIVER SIDE SEAT RECLINING MECHANISM FAILED, RESULTING IN INABILITY OF DRIVER TO SIT UP STRAIGHT WITHOUT CLINGING TO STEERING WHEEL WHEN ACCELERATING. TEETH ON RECLINING LEVER WHICH MESH WITH TEETH ON SEAT TRACK SEEM TO HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. ADDITIONALLY, BAD THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR HAS CAUSED VERY ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 25, 1996

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE.

Fire

IGNITION FAILURE RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE, RECALL FOR COMPONENT HOWEVER VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO VIN #.

Fire

Incident date: Jul 25, 1996

VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM, RECALL'S ISSUED FOR SAME MAKE AND MODEL, HOWEVER VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN.(ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER)

Fire

VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH HESITATION AND STALLING.

STARTER FAILED.

IN WARM WEATHER THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS, CAUSING THE FUEL GAUGE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATORS TO COMPLETELY DISAPPEAR. THE THERMASTAT HAS BEEN REPLACE TWICE AND IT HAS MADE NO DIFFERENCE.

Incident date: Jun 1, 1997

ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE.

Fire

Incident date: May 15, 1997

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, VEHICLE LOST POWER. MECHANIC STATED THAT IGNITION SWITCH MELTED. IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON 5/ 17/97. *AK

OWNER STATES THAT THE ALTERNATOR IN HIS VEHICLE CAUSED HIS VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE.OWNER IS UNCERTAIN WHY. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Nov 20, 1996

DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT SOMETIMES WILL NOT WORK, DOESN'T ADJUST ON THE SHOULDER. *AK

Incident date: Jan 1, 1994

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION , THE HEAD LIGHTS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS ON 2 OCCASIONS. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Jan 1, 1994

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION , THE HEAD LIGHTS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS ON 2 OCCASIONS. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Apr 4, 1996

BLOWER MOTOR CAUGHT FIRE.

Fire

Incident date: Oct 16, 1996

FRONT WHEEL DRIVE HYDROPLANES ON WET PAVEMENT.

Incident date: Aug 13, 1996

DURING OPERATION CONSUMER SMELLED SOMETHING FRON THE DASH. AS A RESULT, THE ALTERNATOR HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK

Fire

Incident date: Sep 20, 1996

WHEEL BROKE WHERE ITS BOLTED TO ROTOR.

Incident date: May 29, 1996

CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND AFTER SHE TURNED THE CAR OFF THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND WITHIN (5) MINUTES AFTER THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE DUE TO A SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Nov 12, 1995

SHORT CIRCUIT IN WIRING CAUSED ENGINE FIRE.

Fire

FRONT BUCKET SEAT LATCH BROKE, BACK SEAT IS HOLDING UP FRONT SEAT, THE CONSUMER CAN'T FIND ANY RELIEF FROM THE DEALER UNLESS HE SPENDS 1,000.00. *AK

Incident date: May 15, 1986

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AROUND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK

Incident date: May 21, 1996

ENGINE FIRE. *DH

Fire

Incident date: May 3, 1996

ENGINE FIRE STARTED AT FUEL LINE. *DH

Fire

Incident date: May 29, 1996

VEHCILE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS AN ELERTRICAL FIRE. *AK

Fire 2 injured

Incident date: Sep 25, 1995

DROVE VEHICLE TO GAS STATION, KEY WAS HOT & COULD NOT START VEHICLE, HAD TOW HOME, GRANDSON CHECKED VEHICLE, KEY SWITCH & HARNESS WAS BURNED, TWICE REPLACED.*AK *JB

Fire

Incident date: Apr 4, 1996

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DH

Fire

Incident date: Jun 30, 1994

SHOULDER SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY. *SD

1 injured

Incident date: Aug 14, 1995

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD WHILE PARKED.*AK VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, CONSUMER GOT INTO VEHICLE AND STARTED IT, AND WAS DRIVING HOME WHICH IS ABOUT A MILE FROM THE PARKED STARTING POINT, CONSUMER THEN NOTICED A LIGHT FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD, AS CONSUMER TUR... Read more

Fire

Incident date: May 19, 1996

LEFT TIE ROD SEPERATED AND FRONT WHEEL WOULD NOT RESPOND TO STEERING. *AK

Incident date: Apr 28, 1996

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Apr 30, 1996

THE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES AND CAUSED THE OWNERS GARAGE TO BURN DOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Feb 1, 1994

ENGINE FIRE. *DSH

Fire

Showing 50 of 65 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1987 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)	23.0	29.0	25.0	Regular	$2,450
1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	27.0	38.0	31.0	Regular	$2,000
1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	24.0	34.0	28.0	Regular	$2,200
1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	22.0	31.0	25.0	Regular	$2,450
2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	31.0	40.0	35.0	Diesel	$2,300

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, 1987 FORD ESCORT

30 manufacturer communications from 24 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	4
034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC	3
061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	2
063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM	2
114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING	2
103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER	2
182000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES	1
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER	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

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