Complaints
199
Crashes
9
Fires
86
Injuries
9
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 1989 Ford Escort Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#135 complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Fires:28
#211 complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Fires:10
#310 complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Avg mileage:120,000 mi
Fires:9
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1989 Ford Escort.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 35 | — | 28 | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 11 | — | 10 | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 10 | — | 9 | 120,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 8 | — | 6 | — | |
| SEAT BELTS | 8 | 1 | — | 100,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 7 | — | 2 | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 7 | — | 6 | 150,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 5 | — | 5 | 89,000 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 5 | — | — | — | |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 4 | — | 2 | — | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 4 | — | — | — | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 4 | — | — | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 4 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | 3 | — | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | 3 | — | — | — | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH | 3 | — | — | — | |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 3 | — | — | — | |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 3 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 | — | — | 25 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 2 | — | — | — | |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 2 | — | — | — | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH | 2 | — | — | — | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2 | — | 2 | — |
Other Ford Escort Years
Wider context: See the full Ford Escort reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
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