1992 Ford Escort problems
Owners have filed 222 complaints about the 1992 Ford Escort with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 19.8% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of fuel system, gasoline at 16.7%.
Complaints222
Crashes7
Fires20
Injuries13
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 19.8% · 44
Fuel system, gasoline 16.7% · 37
Seat belts 13.1% · 29
Vehicle speed control 11.3% · 25
Service brakes, hydraulic 8.1% · 18
Engine and engine cooling 7.2% · 16
Exterior lighting 4.1% · 9
Power train 4.1% · 9
Severity
Of those complaints, 7 describe a crash, 20 describe a fire, 13 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 11 model years of the Ford Escort in this data, 1992 draws comparatively few complaints; 1997 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 8 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 106,619 miles.
In owners' own words
Electrical failure; driver's side lap belt; dash lights(speedometer fuel gauge, engine heat temp & revolotion guage), radio lights, driver's door buzzer/ overhead light; a/c,/ heater fan intermittent. Ignition switch failure, x2, both brake light bulbs replaced: courtesy light in trunk needs replaced. Has never been to garage, to be repaired, for any above electrical.Exception, ignition replaced by garage x1. Electrical system
Electrical short, ignition switch overheated, causing the switch connector to burn, also wiring burned. *Ak dealer found burnt wire loom and burnt starter solenoid, dealer replaced starter and repaired wire loom, consumer feels recall 95s28 should be extended to include his vehicle. *Slc Electrical system
After driving vehicle a short distance there was the smell of electrical wire burning and soon after, smoke emerged from the defroster vents. Vehicle was shut off and smoking quit. Upon inspection it was noted that the wiring harness under the instrument panel had burnt up beyond repair. Electrical system · reported at 168,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…