1983 Ford Escort
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Escort › 1983
These records cover every 1983 Ford Escort. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 1983 Ford Escort. Newest first.
The diaphragm material of the mechanical fuel pumps may deteriorate and allow the diaphragm to rupture.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Fuel pumped through the ruptured diaphragm and out ofthe vent opening could result in a fire.
Remedy
Install new mechanical fuel pumps with improved diaphragm material and revise wiring for electric fuel pump circuits.
Rear seat belt retractors may allow twisted webbing to enter the retractor housing and jam the retractor. consequence of defect: a jammed retractor would interfere with webbing retraction and withdrawal. this will discourage seat belt…
Risk and remedy
Remedy
A clip will be inserted into the retractor housing webbing to prevent jamming.
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.
During a crash barrier test, the rubber hose connecting the fuel tank and the metal filler pipe vent tube was cut, resulting in fuel leakage. The involved vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity".
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Dealer will install a brace between the right side rear quarter panel and the body side rail to improve fuel tank impact resistance.
Owner complaints
7 complaints2 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Unknown or other
The car purchased was for 1800 and the mechanic where purchased from told eric that the car was fully inspected and ready for the road. His girlfriend test drove the car and told greg that the brakes didnt work he said he'd have them looked at. had the car for 2 days after he supposedly re-checked…
The car purchased was for 1800 and the mechanic where purchased from told eric that the car was fully inspected and ready for the road. His girlfriend test drove the car and told greg that the brakes didnt work he said he'd have them looked at. had the car for 2 days after he supposedly re-checked them and brought the car to monro muffler to be re-checked and found that the whole underside of the car was rusted and rotted straight through. the car IS unable to be driven and greg refuses to return the money to the consumer. if you could please help us out that would be great. phone me at 860-589-9445
- Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system
Possible carburator failure may have caused vehicle to hesitate while driving. nlm
- Seat belts
Electric seat belts failed.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Brakes failed, causing accident/injuries.( new jersey state police report)
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch shorted, causing fire. (First vehicle on 601624, 601627)
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Master cylinder ripped loose from firewall due to metal fatigue, causing brake failure/loss of control. *Sd
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
While driving on highway owner smelled smoke. Driver lifted hood and wiring harness was on fire near firewall. Please describe details. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Stalling
Stalling
- Seatback failure
Summary of information from manufacturer:ford believes that the al-leged defect only occurs in a small number of the subject vehicles andrecalled about 195,732 1984 tempo/topaz vehicles in june 1986.analysis: vehicles potentially involved include tempo/topaz, escort/lynx/exp, mustang/capri, ltd/marquis, and…
Summary of information from manufacturer:ford believes that the al-leged defect only occurs in a small number of the subject vehicles andrecalled about 195,732 1984 tempo/topaz vehicles in june 1986.analysis: vehicles potentially involved include tempo/topaz, escort/lynx/exp, mustang/capri, ltd/marquis, and thunderbird/cougar.ford sold about 110,000 replacement mio bolts, mainly for 1983 and 1984models. Low clamping force appears to be a large part of the problem.ford increased the torque requirements and required the use of a manualtorque tool in march and september 1985 production changes. 1987 modelswill be produced with a longer M10 bolt and a nut to increase and main-tain clamping force. Bolts were formerly self tapping. Reports listedabove specifically state that the bolt broke. None refer simply toseat back collapse alone.status:ford reply to odi ir dated 2/2/87.ford recalled 195,7321984 tempo/topaz vehicles in june 1986 (86v-082). Analyzing reponse,monitoring canadian progress. Response to 4/6/87 letter to fordreceived 7/15/87. Will probably close after canada completes theiractions.===
- Stalling and carburetor malfunctions
Stalling and carburetor malfunctions
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.
- 3011600Unknown
- 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
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
Every Ford Escort model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.