1984 Ford Escort
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Escort › 1984
These records cover every 1984 Ford Escort. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1984 Ford Escort. Newest first.
External cracks above the number 3 cylinder (1984 models) or rocker arm cover gaskets splitting (1985 models) could allow oil to leak onto the exhaust manifold.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Engine oil leaking onto a hot exhaust manifold couldresult in an engine compartment fire.
Remedy
Replace cracked cylinder heads (1984 models); replace rocker arm cover gaskets (1985 models).
The brake line may be positioned too close to an engine bracket. Normal engine movements may cause the bracket to rub against the brake line.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
The brake line will be inspected and rerouted if necessary.
The bolts that attach the d-shaped ring for the shoulder belt are inadequately supported by the material in which they are mounted. The attachment does not comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages".
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Dealers will install new attaching hardware to improve the strength of the mounting.
Owner complaints
21 complaints8 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Injectors
When the gas pedal was pressed there was a delay in acceleration. the consumer had to slam on the gas pedal to get the vehicle to move. the vehicle would lunge forward unexpectedly. the vehicle was taken tot he dealer who stated that the fuel injectors were carbonated up. *nlm
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
The seat belt broke, there was a recall regarding the issue, however consumer was never informed.*jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Vacuum pump (brakes) housing IS broken and pump does not work. contacted ford in sept 2001 but have had no success in them helping to locate this part. no salvage yard or auto parts store has it. car IS in very good condition but it would be very dangerous to drive with brakes in this condition.
- Electrical system › Ignition · Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
While driving vehicle it just stopped running withoutwarning. consumer took vehicle to dealer, and they stated it was the ignition. when the tfi overheated it caused the vehicle to stop running. also, driver's side seatbelt will not connect. passenger's side seatback broke and will not go up. please provide any further information. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Nhtsa recall# 09v095000/ manufacturer's recall 89s66. Consumer got a recall notice on vehicle, and dealer didn't have parts. also, dealer will put another engine in consumer's vehicle, but consumer had to pay 1300.00 out of pocket for exhaust that goes with engine.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Recall 89v095000; engine gaskets; when the recall was issued gilbert took the vehicle into kendall motors. kendall motors inspected the vehicle and ther was no problem. now ther IS a leakage coming and caused by the recalled part and kendall motors will not repair the problem. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Vehicle fire. *Dh
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Electrical short in the ignition switch, causing the vehicle to catch fire in the engine compartment. *ak *slc
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch shorted, causing fire. *Dsh
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Due to an electrical short in the ignition switch the vacuum pump failed. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Electrical short or shock in the ignition switch, causing the vehicle to catch on fire. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Vehicle stalled on the highway, driver shifted to neutral, tried to restart and vehicle caught on fire. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Vehicle was driven and parked, under the hood engine compartment fire. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Consumer was driving car an it died and caught on fire . Please describe . *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Rear seat belt retractor mechanism has failed, difficult to latch seat belts. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring
Vehicle fire around the steering wheel. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Cracked engine gasket prior to recall (89v-095). *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle fire, 2ND vehicle from 489423. *tw
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Wiring harness failure. *aw
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Plastic sleeve covering front seat belt buckles failed, broken pieces fell in the latching mechanism. tt
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine head/cylinder rocker arm cover gasket split causing coolant to leak prior to recall, also fumes emminated out of the back (89v-095).
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Rear safety belt fit
===
- Rear seat belt compliance
Rear seat belt compliance
- Stalling
No safety defect trend has been detected.===
- Fires
Summary of information from manufacturer:the alleged fires result froma variety of causes.fire rate remains about the same despite majorchanges with 85-1/2 models.it believes that the fire rate IS less thanindustry average.mfgr request copies of specific fire reports for trendanalysis.analysis:several areas of fire…
Summary of information from manufacturer:the alleged fires result froma variety of causes.fire rate remains about the same despite majorchanges with 85-1/2 models.it believes that the fire rate IS less thanindustry average.mfgr request copies of specific fire reports for trendanalysis.analysis:several areas of fire origin are mentioned.engine firesallegedly caused by leakage of flammable fluids (oil, gas, trans fluid).catalytic converters frequently cited as overheating.certain modelsare reported at a greater frequency.exp turbo reported most often on aper unit basis.status: ir sent 2/19/88. Awaiting response.===
- 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.===
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.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 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.