Complaints
206
Crashes
6
Fires
66
Injuries
8
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1988 Ford Escort Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#134 complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Fires:21
#215 complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Fires:8
#310 complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
Fires:8
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1988 Ford Escort.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 34 | — | 21 | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 15 | — | 8 | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 10 | — | 8 | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 9 | — | 3 | — | |
| SEAT BELTS | 8 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 7 | — | 6 | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 7 | — | 5 | — | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 6 | — | 1 | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 5 | — | 5 | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 5 | — | — | 67,000 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH | 4 | — | — | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 4 | — | — | — | |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 4 | — | — | — | |
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION | 4 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 3 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM | 3 | — | — | — | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 2 | — | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | 2 | — | — | — | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH | 2 | — | — | — | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 2 | — | — | — | |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 2 | — | — | — | |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM | 2 | — | — | — | |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | 2 | — | — | — |
Other Ford Escort Years
Wider context: See the full Ford Escort reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1988 Ford Escort
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