1990 Ford Escort
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Escort › 1990
These records cover every 1990 Ford Escort. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1990 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.
Special primer that promotes the bonding of a urethane adhesive to the glass was not applied to the windshields before installation.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Omission of the primer could cause the windshield not tobe properly adhered to body, and vehicle would not comply with fmvss 212.
Remedy
Remove and properly install windshield using special primer.
Owner complaints
101 complaints5 involved a crash43 involved a fire8 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seat belts · Structure › Body
While traveling on a freeway at the speed limit of 65 miles per hour, I ended up in a skid on dry pavement. I don't remember how I got into the skid due to head injuries received in the resulting accident. The car skidded sideways for quite a ways and did not respond normally to attempts to steer…
While traveling on a freeway at the speed limit of 65 miles per hour, I ended up in a skid on dry pavement. I don't remember how I got into the skid due to head injuries received in the resulting accident. The car skidded sideways for quite a ways and did not respond normally to attempts to steer it. perhaps the engine stalled and the power steering was no longer working. The car eventually hit the raised concrete rumble strips while skidding sideways. The car then flipped over in the air and tumbled down the median, with the first impact likely to the driver's side roof, knocking out the driver. The car continued to tumble down the median until the car vaulted and landed on its top. I remember being upside down in the air, but nothing else until I came to hanging upside down from my seat belt with blurred vision. I had 2 large lumps on the top of the head, a badly swollen jaw and gums, a swollen tongue (bitten on both sides), one nostril filled with blood, the back of my head neck and shoulders were swollen by what felt like about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. I had bruises around my right elbow, on my right thigh, and likely other places, as well as a compression fracture of the second lumbar vertebra from the bottom (L4?). Since I had difficulty breathing, they did a tracheotomy on me while waiting for the ambulance. They pried open the rear hatch to get me out of the vehicle. I was in the hospital 5 days, out of work 5 weeks, and in various degrees of pain for about 1 year. the roof failed to protect me, the inertia lock shoulder harness failed to prevent my chin from hitting the steering wheel and its failure to work likely resulted in the compression fracture which the doctor said was probably from lunging forward. The only thing that kept me in the car was the manual adjusted lap belt, which IS no longer installed in fords. All belts are inertia lock, like the shoulder belt of this car was. the vehicle had a manual transmission. *Tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission
1990 ford escort with 1.9 l engine, throttle-body fuel inj, and man 5-speed transm. Approx 8 hwy miles from home, passing thru small town with 25-mph limit, signal light, and rr crossing, the ford's engine suddenly revved to incredibly high rpm's. Frightened, I immediately pushed in the clutch. No…
1990 ford escort with 1.9 l engine, throttle-body fuel inj, and man 5-speed transm. Approx 8 hwy miles from home, passing thru small town with 25-mph limit, signal light, and rr crossing, the ford's engine suddenly revved to incredibly high rpm's. Frightened, I immediately pushed in the clutch. No floor mat or stuck accelerator/mechanical problems existed. Apparently this was a computer cause. Within seconds, perhaps 4 to 8 seconds, I was prepared to turn off the key ignition to the vehicle. I tried pressing the accelerator once (in former carbureted autos, such an action would settle a revved engine normally). Pressing accelerator had no effect. Then within that range of just seconds, the vehicle settled itself prior to my reaching a railroad crossing. Conditions involved smooth roadway, a gradual decline of speed (normal operation through most of this) from 55 to 45 to 35 to 25 near the signal light and "downtown" area. I owned and drove the 1990 escort from 1992 until 2006, from about 20,000 vehicle miles to about 184,000. This unaccountable acceleration never happened again. The vehicle was famous for losing ignition modules. The most dangerous occasion involved approaching the same town, about 6 miles from home. At 55 mph, engine stopped cold. Fortunately, I realized situation, pressed in the clutch, and without power steering and little power brakes coasted into church parking lot handily near. Later, I transported with the vehicle at all times a spare ignition module and necessary tools for installation. Through the years the vehicle required about 5 modules. At other times the escort idled so slowly, that when clutch was depressed, vehicle would stall. Full tune-ups never affected the stall tendency. As far as toyota's current sudden surges, I think the problem IS very likely computer related. We are current owners of a 1.8 l 2005 corolla with auto transmission and 2004 pontiac vibe (same 1.8 l w/ man transm), and will continue to watch the toyota problems. *Tr
- Electrical system
Vehicle was parked at gas pump island, ignition off. Engine compartment errupted into flames. all components contained within the engine comparment other than metal components completely melted or burned. vehicle was manually pushed away from gas pump island while ablaze, then extinguished by…
Vehicle was parked at gas pump island, ignition off. Engine compartment errupted into flames. all components contained within the engine comparment other than metal components completely melted or burned. vehicle was manually pushed away from gas pump island while ablaze, then extinguished by hillsborough county fire department. Vehicle was towed to a secure location, nothing has been done to the vehicle since the fire. *nm
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
The car starts fine when cold. After driving to town sometimes won't start right off,sometimes it does. Mostof the time I have to try and try.some times when it does start it revs up then dies. Then try to start again, sometime the same thing sometime will start. When started it runs just fine. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
While traveling about 55mph on the highway vehicle stalled without prior warning.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving at 25mph on flat surface and with no warning vehicle shut off. Consumer had to pull over. Dealer notified.*ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Rear doors have been inoperable for more than a year. Recently, vehicle was involved in an accident that resulted in consumer being unable to get the doors open. Please provide further details.*ak
- Vehicle speed control › Linkages
When driving at 50 mph the vehicle suddenly accelerated without prior warning, and without driver depressing on accelerator pedal. This caused unwanted and unexpected acceleration. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer unable to determine the cause. Please provide any further details.*ak
- Seat belts
Shoulder belt will stick in one position in the track, failing to properly restrain driver of vehicle. dealership has examind vehicle, and will repair problem at consumer's cost. please provide any additional information/attachments. *ak
- Tires
Vehicle was inside of a work shop, and noticed that there was a dent inside of tire. He could put a print depression size of a dimple. dealership IS aware of problem. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
This was an original part that failed and caught on fire. it burned the part itself up, the wiring, and stuff under the dash. this could have been fatal as this part IS located inside the steering wheel. has there been a recall on this part. I do not have the vin with me at work. I will get it from my daughter so that I can forward to you.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Merging into traffic on freeway, car lost power, it didn't stall immediately because I had brakes for awhile to get off the road and stop. there was no warning, the drive-train just lost power. further inspection showed that fuel was being injected. I could turn the key, it would fire and die.…
Merging into traffic on freeway, car lost power, it didn't stall immediately because I had brakes for awhile to get off the road and stop. there was no warning, the drive-train just lost power. further inspection showed that fuel was being injected. I could turn the key, it would fire and die. had I been in the middle of the freeway, there likely could've been an accident. I called ford, they knew about the specific problem and said "sorry, we haven't been ordered to repair that yet." apparently, there has been a number of these problems, because the dealerships even knew exactly what I was talking about, they said I'D have to pay about $250.00 for them to fix the defect. another person I know has had to repair his three times already. this IS a dangerous problem that ford knows about, a serious accident waiting to happen. it IS very costly to tow and have the problem repaired. ford said that they know that a judge in ca ordered them to fix and pay for the problem, ford said they didn't have to do what a state judge ordered of them, only what a federal judge or the nhtsa. please help us on this.*ak
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
I have gone through 14 alternators and 6 battries since I drove it off the showroom floor in the fall of 1990! rusty eck searched for the problem but could never find IT1 even suggested taking it to "electrical specialty shops" they too can not find the problem! it has been suggested that the…
I have gone through 14 alternators and 6 battries since I drove it off the showroom floor in the fall of 1990! rusty eck searched for the problem but could never find IT1 even suggested taking it to "electrical specialty shops" they too can not find the problem! it has been suggested that the problem may be buried in the "wiring loom"! no one knows for sure, but I have all of the work-orders and receipts from over the years as proof! I am handicapped and this car works wonderfully for me otherwise! it IS in excellent condition and runs perfect -- again, otherwise! however, I cannot trust it on the open-road! when the "check engine" light comes on, its about to blow another alternator -- like now -#15!!! why can't ford find this problem and fix it? has it ever been a problem on other 1990 escorts? I bought my daughter an 1989 escort LX and it never had any major problems, not one! she drove it for well over 125,000 miles then traded it in on a 1998 sable recently! please help me! I can't afford to purchase another auto, besides I don't want another one! sincerely, dr. James a. Gray, sr.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Seats · Visibility › Windshield
After I purchased my ford escort, the first thing I noticed was the windshield made noise as I would drive, it sounded like it was popping out of the car,and then the windsheild cracks at the top seam of the car . I called ford to be told they were not responsible. next my ignition starts…
After I purchased my ford escort, the first thing I noticed was the windshield made noise as I would drive, it sounded like it was popping out of the car,and then the windsheild cracks at the top seam of the car . I called ford to be told they were not responsible. next my ignition starts malfunctioning, sometimes the key wont go in, other times the ignition will turn on without a key , the key IS torn up, the ignition unit recently wont turn the key in it , I have actually been stuck in public cause the ignition would not work. I really do not understand why? But both my bucket seats in the car break at the same time? I'm driving the car, and the next thing I know IS that I'm laying in my daughters lap in the back seat., this was a very, scary experience. Thank god no one was hurt, are the seats supposed to malfunction in this way? last my hatchback rattles , it acts like the hinges at the top are breaking , and the hatchback lock stop unlocking the hatchback, I called ford and was told they would send me information, but this never happened. Can you help me?
- Electrical system › Ignition · Power train › Manual transmission
Since the ignition switched has been replaced vehicle still stalled out.noticed that the engine at idle speed loops or idles erratically.transmission also shifts sloppy have taken the car to two transmission places and found nothing.also cosmetic light on passenger side visor stays lit when flap IS closed.
- Tires › Tread/belt
Model continental lte 3000 tire p17570r14 ; tread shreaded off a tire while driving at 55 mph, causing damage to wheelwell/tore off mud slap, and turn light housing.tire only had 28,000 miles, and stayed inflated. *Ak dot# acfp3cc447. *slc
- Structure › Body
A plastic piece of deflector under front right wheel was rubbing against the brake rotors, causing tires to overheat and catch on fire. Manufacturer notified. Provide further details. *ak plastic deflector on right front wheel assembly either cracked or loosened, rubbed against brake rotor and…
A plastic piece of deflector under front right wheel was rubbing against the brake rotors, causing tires to overheat and catch on fire. Manufacturer notified. Provide further details. *ak plastic deflector on right front wheel assembly either cracked or loosened, rubbed against brake rotor and caught fire destroying or damaging brake line and scorching tire ( but tire did not burn) , able to extinguish before tire caught fire. *yh
- Power train › Manual transmission
My transmission now in any gear sounds like there IS something loose and rattles? I don't know what it IS and gets on my nerves!
- Electrical system › Wiring
Had just parked vehicle in garage & left. Half hour later smelled smoke & checked out window. Noticed smoke coming from the garage. Called fire department who arrived and extinguished the flames. Only indication of origin was electrical wires could have caused fire. Vehicle was completely totaled. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
About one hour after arriving home from work someone knocked on my door to notify me that the 1990 ford escort that I had purchased used on march 31,1999 was smoking. I called the fire department, by this time flames were shooting from under the hood and the horn was blaring. The fire was extingushed , but the car IS now totally useless. *ak
- Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual
Vehicle owners manual states 8.3 quarts of transmission fluid IS to be used when refilling, consumer acted accordingly resulting in damage/failure of transmission to the point of being unuseable. Manual information IS incorrect, the correct amount of fluid IS 4.5 quarts.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Turn ignition on, heard crackling sound, then noise went to a poplin sound, smoke came from hood and vent inside, flames now evitable, resulting in totalled.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
Known failure of vane air flow meter cause bucking of car at highway and street speeds.see ford tsb 94-23-8. car locks front wheels on snowy conditions when engine bucks. The tsb calls for kit fopz-9k672-a and vfmeter e9fz-12b529-a. Kit designed in 1994 while my car was still under warranty. no…
Known failure of vane air flow meter cause bucking of car at highway and street speeds.see ford tsb 94-23-8. car locks front wheels on snowy conditions when engine bucks. The tsb calls for kit fopz-9k672-a and vfmeter e9fz-12b529-a. Kit designed in 1994 while my car was still under warranty. no notification on tsb's according to ford policy. Please send address I can send my documentation to date, to your office. thank you. *ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
While driving the driver's door shakes open on its own while turning a corner. Dealer has been contacted. *Ak
- Seat belts
In cold weather (less than 15 f), the driver's side automatic seatbelt motor failed on mutilple occasions to either retract or advance the automatic shoulder belt. the shoulder belt motor eventually broke entirely (mileage around 60,000 at the time). this defect first showed up when I moved to a cold climate in 1993. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Fires in steering column
Electrical fires in the steering column.
- Front brake fires
There is no summary currently available
- Fires in steering column
There is no summary currently available
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
- 627747This aritlce IS to provide information on replacement of old style hood lamp switch to the rvised mechanical hood lamp switch.
- 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.
- 606460Experiencing a whine / buzz type noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio on vehicles with an in-tank electric fuel pump.
- 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.
- 601341Experiencing a whining / buzzing noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio.
- 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.
- 51987Fuel economy- customer expectations versus vehicle usage.
- 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.