How many recalls does the 1991 Ford Escort have?

The 1991 Ford Escort has 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 1991 Ford Escort has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1991 Ford Escort?

Of 413 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is electrical system.

1991 Ford Escort Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1991 Ford Escort has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 119,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 413 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 93V057000 1993-04-15 91,000 affected

Defect

THE ROLL PINS SECURING THE IGNITION LOCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN HOUSING CAN SEPARATE OR MOVE OUT OF POSITION.

Consequence

THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER MAY DISENGAGE FROM THESTEERING COLUMN HOUSING WHICH COULD CAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN TO LOCK UP,RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

IF ONE OR BOTH OF THE ROLL PINS ARE MISSING OR NOT FULLY INSERTED, THE IGNITION LOCK HOUSING WILL BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE DOOR-LOCKS AND THE LIFTGATE OR DECK-LID LOCKS SO THAT KEY COMPATIBILITY IS MAINTAINED. IF BOTH PINS ARE PRESENT AND FULLY INSERTED, A PLASTIC SNAP-ON SLEEVE WILL BE INSTALLED AS A PRECAUTION…

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 92V117000 1992-08-19 22,000 affected

Defect

FATIGUE CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN TUBE AND THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK.

Consequence

SHOULD A CRACK DEVELOP, FUEL VAPOR CAN ESCAPE FROM THETANK WHEN THE TANK IS FULL, AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACK.FUEL LEAKS CAN RESULT IN FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy

INSTALL A NEW FUEL PUMP SENDING ASSEMBLY.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 90V076000 1990-04-17 6,000 affected

Defect

INTERFERENCE OCCUR BETWEEN BOLT THAT SECURES A FUEL LINE SHIELD TO THE LOWER PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK AT THE WIDE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION AND RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL WITH THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

CUT OFF EXTRA LENGTH OF BOLT THAT PROTRUDES ABOVE SURFACE OF WELD NUT TO PREVENT INTERFERENCE.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

SEAT BELTS

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

2121

Total complaints413

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“After filling up with gas and still beside the gas pumps I attempted to start the vehicle in park. The car kept cranking but not starting. Turned the ignition switch off and car kept cranking. Pulled the key out and car kept cranking. Put the key back in and got the vehicle in drive while cranking…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2013-07-14

“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 ford escort. Fatigue cracks have developed in the solder joint between the fuel return tube and the fuel pump sending unit located at the top of the fuel tank. There must have been an internal fire caused by the failure, because the wiring harness had melted. The…”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · reported 2008-10-11

“1. My 1991 ford escort lx station wagon developed a fuel leak around the fuel tank. 2. It occurs every time I add fuel to the tank. 3. I reported the problem to ford, including the existence of a recall notice (nhtsa action number ea92012; nhtsa campaign id number: 92v117000)). Ford has ignored…”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · reported 2008-07-03

“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 ford escort lx. The contact poured brake fluid into the power steering reservoir. She took her vehicle to a mechanic to have the vehicle bled. The mechanic replaced the power steering pump without authorization, and now the vehicle is spewing forth power steering fluid.…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR · reported 2008-04-26

“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 ford escort lx. The contact poured brake fluid into the power steering reservoir. She took her vehicle to a mechanic to have the vehicle bled. The mechanic replaced the power steering pump without authorization, and now the vehicle is spewing forth power steering fluid.…”

STEERING · reported 2008-04-26

“Motorized seat belts inoperative. Lap belt does not restrain. *tr”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2008-04-10

“Dt: 1991, ford, escort hatchback. Consumer's wife came home yesterday, and said she smelled smoke. Consumer checked vehicle and found out that third brake light located at top of rear window smoked when brake was pressed. Consumer took light apart, and found same part at a junk yard. Consumer…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS · reported 2005-06-13

“When you turn ignition off radio continues to play for about 10 minutes or until you manually shut it off, replaced ignition and still has same problem.*ak”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · reported 2005-03-01