Complaints
413
Crashes
22
Fires
70
Injuries
21
Fatalities
3
Recalls
0
Worst 1991 Ford Escort Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#149 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Fires:22
#246 complaints
Seat Belt Issues
Avg mileage:121,000 mi
Crash-related:3
#324 complaints
Fuel Pump
Avg mileage:171,050 mi
Fires:8
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1991 Ford Escort.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 49 | — | 22 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 46 | 3 | — | 121,000 mi | |
| Fuel Pump | 24 | — | 8 | 171,050 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 21 | — | 2 | 210,100 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 20 | — | 3 | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 17 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 13 | — | 6 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 13 | 4 | — | 34,000 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 9 | — | 2 | 122,333 mi | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 9 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 9 | — | — | 149,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 7 | — | 4 | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 7 | — | 2 | 132,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 7 | — | 6 | 136,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 7 | — | 3 | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 | — | — | 34,000 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 5 | — | 1 | 90,000 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 4 | 3 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 | — | — | — |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
49
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
22
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
46
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
121,000
Fuel Pump
24
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
8
Avg Miles
171,050
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
210,100
Electrical System:Ignition
20
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
13
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
34,000
Gasoline Fuel System
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
122,333
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
9
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
149,000
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
4
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
132,000
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
136,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
34,000
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
90,000
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Webbing
4
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1991 Ford Escort. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Escort Years
1991 Ford Escort — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1991 Ford Escort reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1991 Ford Escort has 413 NHTSA complaints, 22 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical System:Ignition:Switch with 49 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1991 Ford Escort?
Top reported problems: Electrical System:Ignition:Switch (49 complaints); Seat Belt Issues (46 complaints, avg 121,000 mi); Fuel Pump (24 complaints, avg 171,050 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1991 Ford Escort?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 133,310 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1991 Ford Escort?
NHTSA complaints for the 1991 Ford Escort include 22 crash-related reports, 70 fire reports, 21 injuries, and 3 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1991 Ford Escort have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1991 Ford Escort as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1991 Ford Escort?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Escort reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1991 Ford Escort
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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