The 1987 Ford Escort has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,975,850 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
THE FORWARD OUTBOARD PEDESTAL OF THE SEAT TRACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURE.
THIS COULD RESULT IN A LIMITED DEGREE OF ROCKING MOTIONOF THE DRIVERS SEAT ASSEMBLY UPON ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, WHICH COULDCAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT ON ALL MODELS AND A NEW SEAT TRACK AS NECESSARY
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
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.
INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
LUG NUTS COULD GALL AND POSSIBLY SEIZE ON THE WHEEL STUDS WITHOUT PROVIDING ADEQUATE CLAMPING LOAD ON THE WHEELS.
WHEEL STUDS COULD FRACTURE CREATING A RISK OF A WHEELSEPARATING WITH LITTLE FOREWARNING.
REPLACE WHEEL LUG NUTS AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE WHEELS AND WHEEL STUDS.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“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…”
“Vehicle keeps stalling since 1992. *ak”
“Tfi ignition module had a defect and was affected ignition switch. Dealership was aware of problem. *ak *slc”
“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”
“Vehicle dies in middle of road. Took to dealer, and they said it was ignition module.*ak”
“Ignition switch module malfuctioned, causing vehicle to stall unexpectedly which may have caused a crash. Dealer had to replace the tfi module. *ak”
“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:”
“Quit running on highway during wash. Dc rush hour / stalls every day (even after 5 repaired for stalling). *ak”
REAR SEAT BELT COMPLIANCE
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WE HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS REPORTS WHICH ALLEGE A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM.ADDITIONAL REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED TO RESTRAIN/ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE OCCUPANT DURING AN ACCIDENT
SUMMARY: HEADLAMP SWITCH RETAINING BEZEL CRACKS CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO REMAIN ON AND OCCASIONALLY FLICKER OFF. FORD HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, ARTICLE # 87-11-8, TO REPLACE THE FAULTY BEZEL WITH AN IMPROVED PART.CONCLUSIONS: THE PE SHOULD BE CLOSED IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND.===
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There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1987 Ford Escort as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.