1988 Ford Escort engine problems
The 1988 Ford Escort has 28 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 14% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
28
Engine complaints
14%
Share of year
0
Crash-involved
0
Related recalls
Engine complaints by year
What owners report
“THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF CONSUMER'S HOUSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO THE SCENE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK *ML”
Common questions
How many engine complaints does the 1988 Ford Escort have?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the 1988 Ford Escort engine — 14% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.