1987 Ford Escort
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Escort › 1987
These records cover every 1987 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 1987 Ford Escort. Newest first.
The forward outboard pedestal of the seat track of driver's seat may be susceptible to fatigue fracture.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could result in a limited degree of rocking motionof the drivers seat assembly upon acceleration or deceleration, which couldcause an accident.
Remedy
Install a reinforcement on all models and a new seat track as necessary
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Remedy
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Wheel studs could fracture creating a risk of a wheelseparating with little forewarning.
Remedy
Replace wheel lug nuts and if necessary, replace wheels and wheel studs.
Owner complaints
56 complaints1 involved a crash26 involved a fire6 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Equipment
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…
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 and it was determined that the cadillac when it hit the consumers vehicle was traveling 20 mph faster than he was driving. the consumer wanted to know why didn't the cadillac's sdm not register and record the frontal crash impact with the escort as a deployment event. *Jb updated 07/16/09.*jb updated 08/04/09 *bf forensic witness report received. Updated 08/10/09. *Jb
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Nar 3-10-03 in reference to a previous claim, requesting assistance from nhtsa. however, action made wasn't satisfactory so now the consumer IS there seeking legal assistance to expedite his claim. *cb *jb
- Electrical system › Ignition
Vehicle exhibited a fire by an unknown source in the ignition column per fire department investigation. *tt
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle keeps stalling since 1992. *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Tfi ignition module had a defect and was affected ignition switch. dealership was aware of problem. *ak *slc
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Consumer states since purchasing vehicle, this IS fourth module part that has been replaced, consumer states that when the module gpd goes out it causes vehicle to stall while driving, consumer states manufacturer and dealership not willing to honor warranty. *Jb
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
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
- Electrical system › Ignition
When driving for 10-12 miles vehicle will stall out completely , feels as though turning off ignition. Consumer must wait about 45 minutes before can be restarted. Consumer contacted a mechanic, and reprogrammed computer, but defect occurred immediately after. Will contact mechanic again. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine shut off without when being in traffic. dealership IS awre of problem. *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Vehicle dies in middle of road. Took to dealer, and they said it was ignition module.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch module malfuctioned, causing vehicle to stall unexpectedly which may have caused a crash. Dealer had to replace the tfi module. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving at any speed vehicle stopped running. engine stopped and will not restart for about an hour or two. This has been an ongoing problem for the last two or three years. ford IS aware of the problem. Please provide any further information.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
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:
- Suspension › Rear › Shock absorber
Right rear shock absorbers rusted through which could cause a loss of vehicle control. *Ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Quit running on highway during wash. Dc rush hour / stalls every day (even after 5 repaired for stalling. *Ak)
- Seats · Vehicle speed control
Driver side seat reclining mechanism failed, resulting in inability of driver to sit up straight without clinging to steering wheel when accelerating. teeth on reclining lever which mesh with teeth on seat track seem to have been damaged. additionally, bad throttle position sensor has caused very…
Driver side seat reclining mechanism failed, resulting in inability of driver to sit up straight without clinging to steering wheel when accelerating. teeth on reclining lever which mesh with teeth on seat track seem to have been damaged. additionally, bad throttle position sensor has caused very high idle speed multiple times, problem IS worst during rain/snow. at times, idle speed set so high that braking to a stop would stall the vehicle. tps replaced twice, problem persists during wet weather.
- Electrical system › Ignition
Vehicle fire due to failure of the ignition system, recall's issued for same make and model, however vehicle not included in recall due to vin.(attorney for consumer)
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch failed resulting in vehicle fire.
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle has had continuous problems with hesitation and stalling.
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
In warm weather the vehicle overheats, causing the fuel gauge and the temperature gauge indicators to completely disappear. the thermastat has been replace twice and it has made no difference.
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Alternator caught fire.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
While driving driver noticed smoke coming from steering column, vehicle lost power. mechanic stated that ignition switch melted. Ignition switch was replaced on 5/ 17/97. *ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Owner states that the alternator in his vehicle caused his vehicle to catch fire.owner IS uncertain why. *ak
- Seat belts
Driver's side automatic shoulder belt sometimes will not work, doesn't adjust on the shoulder. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Electrical short in the ignition switch, causing an electrical malfunction , the head lights will not stay illuminated. Consumer has replaced the wiring harness on 2 occasions. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Fuel pump failure
There is no summary currently available
- Safety belt d-ring
There is no summary currently available
- Failed passive restraint
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
- Passive belt failure
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- Rear safety belt fit
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- Headlamp switch failure
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.===
- Rear seat belt compliance
Rear seat belt compliance
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.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3011600Unknown
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 618599Concerns with premature failure occuring on the 1.9L motorcraft remanufactured longblock assembly and shortblock assembly due to ingestion of foreign objects remaining in the transferred intake system from the original failed engine.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 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.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 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.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
- 45947Sheet metal-roof panel and drip rail replacement- seam sealer application procedure.*sd
- 41025A revised service windshield wiper motor IS now available.
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
- 37734Rough running at steady highway cruise speeds.
Every Ford Escort model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.