1989 Ford Escort
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Escort › 1989
These records cover every 1989 Ford Escort. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1989 Ford Escort. Newest first.
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Owner complaints
152 complaints9 involved a crash60 involved a fire9 injuries2 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seat belts
TL* the contact owns a 1989 ford escort. The vehicle was involved in a crash where she was rear-ended. The contact suffered injuries to her head area. She mentioned she was wearing her seat belts at the time of the crash and believed the failure of the seatbelts contributed to her injuries. The…
TL* the contact owns a 1989 ford escort. The vehicle was involved in a crash where she was rear-ended. The contact suffered injuries to her head area. She mentioned she was wearing her seat belts at the time of the crash and believed the failure of the seatbelts contributed to her injuries. The vehicle had not been diagnosed by the dealer and there were no recalls on the vehicle. A police report was filed for the incident. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.
- Engine and engine cooling
1989 ford escort caught on fire. *Kb the consumer stated the vehicle started to smoke and once he/she pulled over, the vehicle became engulfed in flames. *Jb
- Electrical system › Wiring
1989 ford escort hatchback - a passenger exiting the vehicle from the rear seat stepped on an electrical connector located under the carpet which caused the +12V and ground wires to short together. this connector IS part of the electric fuel pump harness. the connector melted, the wire harness burned and the carpet singed. there was smoke inside the vehicle. *jb
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Alternator caught on fire. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership who replaced alternator. Also, the second alternator caught on fire at the gas pump. The fire department was notified and extinguished the blaze. Consumer claimed it may have been the installation that caused the fire. *Ak
- Electrical system
Battery charging light going on & off at times. Also on 2 separate occasions when vehicle was started fuel gauge will register above full & at same time temperature. gauge goes up to maximum. neither being close to be corrected. during this time I noticed keys & ignition become very hot. If…
Battery charging light going on & off at times. Also on 2 separate occasions when vehicle was started fuel gauge will register above full & at same time temperature. gauge goes up to maximum. neither being close to be corrected. during this time I noticed keys & ignition become very hot. If turned on & off couple times it IS ok again . Except occasional charging light on & off with no loss of power. can't find cause! *la
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Mhtsa#92-v-117-000: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. Consumer has the same problem. However,this vehicle was not recalled because year of manufacturing, 1989. *Ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
While my daughter was driving our 1989 ford escort she turned l to pull into a drive way and she smelled smoke. She only got a few yards and the car burst into flames. I did contact my insurance company, but since the car was not insured for fire. They recommended I contact ford. When asked if…
While my daughter was driving our 1989 ford escort she turned l to pull into a drive way and she smelled smoke. She only got a few yards and the car burst into flames. I did contact my insurance company, but since the car was not insured for fire. They recommended I contact ford. When asked if there were any defects that would cause the car to burst into flames. I was told no there was not. So there was it was not investigated. While looking over this web site I have found many fires. And I was wonder if any action could be taken. I do not someone else's daughter driving down the road and possibly burning to death. And I feel ford should have been honest with me. thank you, [xxx]. *nlm information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *tr
- Electrical system › Ignition
Vehicle would not start when he placed the key inside of the ignition. Ts
- Electrical system › Ignition
Consumer states vehicle was stalling due to the placement of an electronic module on the distributor, when the engine got hot, it caused problems with the module, consumer IS requesting some kind of compensation due to the ruling in alameda county, california, consumer no longer owns the vehicle. *slc
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
No summary listed for above vehicle. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
It ran like a charm until 1 day I slowed to go to driveway, and stalled. It starts back up. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
The engine overheated resulting in engine fire (ohio traffic crash report). *mjs
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Gas tank failed twice. nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Returned vehicle to dealer and was told the insurance would take care of it. I removed lower crankshaft pully and returned it to dealer. they finally repaired problem after much inconvience to me. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
In trying to buy recycleed parts I encountered many instanceses of the same problem
- Electrical system › Ignition · Power train › Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
Vehicle stalls alot, especially when it rains. Owner has to blow dry distributor cap before vehicle will start again. Also, when depressing clutch pedal, vehicle stalls. This has been an ongoing problem for the last couple of years. clutch has been replaced. Please provide any further information.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
Possible water pump or fan belt failure caused the vehicle to jerk while driving like it was running out of gas, vehicle did not turnover, but cut off again.* et
- Vehicle speed control
A clamp from the throttle body dislodged and entered the engine resulting in complete engine failure. *Et
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
While driving for about 15 minutes consumer started smelling smoke, and 5 minutes later, saw fire coming from the under the hood. Also, battery light came on after she smelled the smoke. Consumer indicated that alternator caught on fire.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Caonsumer received nhtsa recall 96v07100/manufacturer's recall 95s28/ ignition switch failure. dealer said that there was no record of this recall.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Electrical system › Ignition › Module · Unknown or other
Engine check engine light IS on,the car stalls and jerks.i was with my car in two services. The first:pyramid shell service charged me with 400$ for some ignitions modules who were replaced.after I picked up my car in one hour I met the same problems.i brought the car back and they checked again…
Engine check engine light IS on,the car stalls and jerks.i was with my car in two services. The first:pyramid shell service charged me with 400$ for some ignitions modules who were replaced.after I picked up my car in one hour I met the same problems.i brought the car back and they checked again and said that will cost me another 400$ because they have to change the computer.isaid no,because I had no trust in them and I went to john west ford .o.k.they changed again almost the same parts and charged me with 620$.I paid everything.i just thought that will be good. No way.after a few hours,when I drove my car home on the hyway it start to show the same nice problem.stalls ,jerks.but no differencies.it was the same like on the first time.what can I do?my car IS still bad.my money are gone.who will be responsable for that?me?i gave my money wishing to see my car fixed,repaird.those guys took my money and didn't do the right thing.i am the great looser and they will be always the winners.how can I take my money back or see my car repaird?sorry for my wrong english.thank you and please help me. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Since replacement of the ignition switch per recall 96v071 the consumer sometimes notices that when he turns the key in the ignition, the key can be turned without any play in the switch and the battery turns over but does not start. nlm
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
I bought this 1989 escort GT from a family member and the driver's seat was broken when he had the car. I have tried to locate another seat, but apparently there IS a problem with escort gts seats since I cannot find another one in stock anywhere or in any local junkyards. the back of the seat IS…
I bought this 1989 escort GT from a family member and the driver's seat was broken when he had the car. I have tried to locate another seat, but apparently there IS a problem with escort gts seats since I cannot find another one in stock anywhere or in any local junkyards. the back of the seat IS broken and I have to put the split-back seat in the down position (leaving the trunk exposed from the interior of the car) to hold the back of the driver's seat in the upright position. if I have more then two passengers in the car, I have to put the back seat back up, leaving the driver's seat leaning too far back to be in a position to drive safely. *ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Consume r was driving vehicle and fumes were coming through the heater vent. then he noticed smoke coming from underneath the vehicl. He pulled over and turned the car off. lifted the hood up and flames came shooting out, and the alternator was on fire. dealership was notified. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle was placed in the park position for one hour and vehicle caught on fire around the steering column area, totaling the vehicle. Consume has yet to contact the manufacturer. Please provide any further details. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Engine stalling
Engine stalling
- 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
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.
- 606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5W-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year.
- 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.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 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.
- 39720Recall 93e50 - vehicle's engine may be releasing air pollutants which exceed us federal standards. To correct this condition, dealers will replace the catalyst.
- 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.