1988 FORD ESCORT — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
206
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 1988 FORD ESCORT
The 1988 FORD ESCORT has received a total of 206 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical Systemignitionswitch (34 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (15 complaints), and Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash (10 complaints).
Recalls for the 1988 FORD ESCORT
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1988 FORD ESCORT, potentially affecting up to 11,500,000 vehicles.
Recall 96V071000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
| 7,900,000 vehicles affected
Defect: THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
View full details →Recall 87V139000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 3,600,000 vehicles affected
Defect: SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1988 FORD ESCORT
206 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1988 FORD ESCORT. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
CAR HAS BEEN STALLING REGARDLESS OF SPEED. TOOK TO MECHANIC TO DETERMINE PROBLEM. MECHANIC HAS (SO FAR) IDENTIFIED BAD HEAD GASKET. I AM SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAS ONLY 67,000 MILES ON IT. VERY FEW MILES FOR AN EXPENSIVE HEAD GASKET REPAIR!! *JB
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM MY UNCLE WHEN IT WAS 3 YEARS OLD WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. IT BEGAN STALLING A YEAR OR SO AFTER I BOUGHT IT. I HAD IT IN TO BOTH A FORD AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WITH A VARIETY OF REASONS GIVEN FOR IT STALLING. I REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE THREE DIFFERENT TIMES ON MY OWN ON A HUNCH THAT IT MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE MOTH BALLED THE CAR FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS BECAUSE I WAS TIRED OF DRIVING AROUND HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT IT STOPPING ON ME. I DIDN'T SELL IT BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO PAWN THE PROBLEM, OFF ON SOMEONE ELSE AND BESIDES I REALLY LIKED THE CAR OTHERWISE. AFTER HEARING OF THE CALIFORNIA RECALL ORDER, EVERYTHING FELL INTO PLACE. I BELIEVE THAT THE POOR ENGINEERING ON PLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION MODULE ON THE VEHICLE IS THE PROBLEM. BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I FEEL TRAPPED BUT I AM HOPING THAT THE RECALL WILL EVENTUALLY IMPACT ME IN MINNESOTA. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME. SINCERELY, JOHN HELLAND. *AK *SCC **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*734334
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM MY UNCLE WHEN IT WAS 3 YEAR OLD WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. IT BEGAN STALLING A YEAR OR SO AFTER I BOUGHT IT. I HAD IT IN TO BOTH A FORD AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WITH A VARIETY OF REASONS GIVEN FOR ITS STALLING. I REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE THREE DIFFERENT TIMES ON MY OWN ON A HUNCH THAT IT MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE MOTHBALLED THE CAR FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS BECAUSE I WAS TIRED OF DRIVING AROUND HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT IT STOPPING ON ME. I DIDN'T SELL IT BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO PAWN THE PROBLEM OFF ON SOMEONE ELSE AND BESIDES I REALLY LIKED THE CAR OTHERWISE. AFTER HEARING OF THE CALIFORNIA RECALL ORDER, EVERYTHING FELL INTO PLACE. I BELIEVE THAT THE POOR ENGINEERING ON PLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION MODULE ON THIS VEHICLE IS THE PROBLEM. BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I GUESS I FEEL TRAPPED BUT AM HOPPING THAT THE RECALL WILL EVENTUALLY IMPACT ME IN MINNESOTA. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME. SINCERELY, JOHN HELLAND. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
CONSUMER STATES WHILE HAVING VEHICLES OIL CHANGED THE MECHANIC NOTICED HIM THE LOWER ARM SHAFT WAS RUSTED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. NLM
Safety Rating for the 1988 FORD ESCORT
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1988 FORD ESCORT in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1988 FORD ESCORT
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1988 FORD ESCORT
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1988 FORD ESCORT.
Other Model Years of the FORD ESCORT
- 1983 FORD ESCORT — 7 complaints
- 1984 FORD ESCORT — 27 complaints
- 1985 FORD ESCORT — 31 complaints
- 1986 FORD ESCORT — 53 complaints
- 1987 FORD ESCORT — 65 complaints
- 1988 FORD ESCORT (current)
- 1989 FORD ESCORT — 199 complaints
- 1990 FORD ESCORT — 128 complaints
- 1991 FORD ESCORT — 413 complaints
- 1992 FORD ESCORT — 222 complaints
- 1993 FORD ESCORT — 480 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints