1981 Ford Escort
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Escort › 1981
These records cover every 1981 Ford Escort. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
10 recalls name the 1981 Ford Escort. Newest first.
Screw that connects the seat back frame to the recliner mechanism may break.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
The attachment screw on the driver"s seat will be replaced by one of a larger diameter.
Seat frame structure could sever front seat belts if vehicle IS involved in an accident, depending on force of impact.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Dealer will install a molded spacer between reinforcement plates and lower decorative plastic cover.
Door lock pillars could develop fatigue cracks from normal usage of door, at the point where door latch striker reinforcements are attached.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Any damaged lock pillars will be repaired and reinforcements will be installed between the door latch striker and lock pillars.
The portion of the roof above frame (rail) to which the shoulder belt IS anchored may have a slot that can compromise the strength of the shoulder belt anchor under certain severe loads. (The suspect area IS not visible.) consequently, some vehicles included in this recall may not meet the 3000 pound anchorage strength requirements of federal motor vehicle…
Risk and remedy
Remedy
The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, reinforce the roof rail inner panel surrounding the drainage hole at no cost to owner.
Some of the involved vehicles have an electrically ungrounded fuel inlet. These vehicles are subject to static charge accumulation at the fuel filler pipe opening, which can occur if these vehicles are refueled from an electrically ungrounded dispensing nozzle.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
A grounding connection from the filler pipe inlet to the vehicle body and a static electricity suppression rod inside the filler pipe will be installed at no charge to owner.
Some vehicles equipped with power brake boosters have front and rear shells that may have been improperly joined. Improperly joined booster shells may separate either partially or completely during brake application.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
All defective boosters will be replaced at no charge to owner.
Fuel may possibly travel through the speed control vacuum lines and into the speed control actuation device (serv0). The fuel can damage seals in the actuator servo and allow vacuum leaks. Such a leak could activate the speed control without any action on the part of the driver. This would cause the vehicle to gradually accelerate.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
The vacuum check valve and hose assembly will be replaced and the speed control servo will be replaced if it has been damaged.
On certain vehicles, metal fasteners that were used to secure the carpeting to the floor pan may have accidentally penetrated the top of the fuel tank. This would result in a slight fuel leak.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Dealer will inspect vehicles for penetration of the fuel tank by carpet fasteners. Any leaking fuel tanks will be replaced and the floor pan will be sealed, without charge to owners.
Some of the involved vehicles were produced with an engine compartment wire assembly that may have been routed above the air conditioning suction hose. This hose may push up on the wiring harness causing it to contact the hood prop rod bracket attaching bolt. This could lead to penetration or chafing of the wiring insulation.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, correct the wiring harness routing at no charge to owner.
On certain vehicles, the right and left hand rear brake backing plate attachment bolts may not have been tightened to the correct specifications. Backing plate bolts may not be able to withstand the loads experienced during truck shipment. If the bolts loosen from the spindle during operation, backing plate movement may result in weakening or premature wear…
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Dealer will inspect and tighten the bolts to the proper specifications. Rear brake tubes will be replaced, if necessary, at no charge to owner.
Owner complaints
1 complaints
Latest complaints
- Seats
The spring that support the seat cushions were cutting through the material around their attachment holes.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Failure of seat back securing bolts
Failure of seat back securing bolts
- Stalling and carburetor malfunctions
Stalling and carburetor malfunctions
- Timing chain failure
Timing chain failure
- Front seatback failure
Status: discussing with canada.===
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 69012Unknown
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 45947Sheet metal-roof panel and drip rail replacement- seam sealer application procedure.*sd
Every Ford Escort model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.