1995 Ford Escort problems
Owners have filed 725 complaints about the 1995 Ford Escort with NHTSA. Seat belts account for 22.3% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of fuel system, gasoline at 18.2%.
Complaints725
Crashes106
Fires27
Injuries94
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Seat belts 22.3% · 162
Fuel system, gasoline 18.2% · 132
Air bags 10.9% · 79
Engine and engine cooling 8.6% · 62
Electrical system 7.3% · 53
Suspension 5.5% · 40
Power train 5.1% · 37
Service brakes, hydraulic 4.0% · 29
Severity
Of those complaints, 106 describe a crash, 27 describe a fire, 94 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 11 model years of the Ford Escort in this data, 1995 ranks 2nd by complaint volume — 1997 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 3 in the last three years against 11 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 99,500 miles.
In owners' own words
Consumer was driving approximately 60mph on an interstate when a 3/4 car incident happened. Vehicle was hit on bothe sides and then rear ended the vehicle in front. Upon impact, both air bags deployed. The driver's seat belt was released from the rail, consumer was laid into the back seat, the seat back was broken/ bent/distorted, consumer was injured. There is an open ivestigation atthis time-(ie-98-074). Seat belts
The passenger's seat belt system malfunctioned, causing the shoulder belt to be in a "l" shaped position, resulting in the seatbelt being inoperative. The rear right side seatbelt will not buckle in, causing seatbelt to be inoperative. The left rear seatbelt is too loose and the seatbelt will not retract properly, it will not protect the occupant in event of an accident. Seat belts
The repair bill on the motorized shoulder belt system will be between $300 and $400. The Ford dealer I contacted stated that this is not an uncommon problem with these cars. How many people are not able to afford this repair, and are driving with no restraint system? I contacted Ford to see if perhaps a normal shoulder belt could be fitted into this car. They couldn't help me. Seat belts
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…