VehicleVerdict

1991 Ford Escort problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 413 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.2 times the median Escort year — the 1991 model ranks #5 of 23 Escort years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 21 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 123 reports (30% of the total).

413

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

6

Investigations

22

Crash-involved

70

Fires reported

21

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Escort years?

Escort NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted729 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 5 complaints1983: 7 complaints1984: 27 complaints1985: 31 complaints1986: 53 complaints1987: 65 complaints1988: 206 complaints1989: 199 complaints1990: 128 complaints1991: 413 complaints1992: 222 complaints1993: 480 complaints1994: 351 complaints1995: 725 complaints1996: 257 complaints1997: 729 complaints1998: 470 complaints1999: 413 complaints2000: 128 complaints2001: 85 complaints2002: 41 complaints2003: 13 complaints
Escort NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Escort years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Ford Escort problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System12330%
Seat Belts7318%
Fuel System7017%
Transmission358%
Lighting205%
Speed Control195%
Engine174%
Steering123%
Suspension92%
Brakes92%
Tires & Wheels72%
Seats41%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)41%
Body & Structure41%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Other20%
Latches & Locks10%
Airbags10%

Does the 1991 Ford Escort have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

94E019000SuspensionJune 2, 1994 · 919 units

Defect

THE OFFSET TOE ADJUSTING PIN CAN FRACTURE UNDER CONDITIONS SUCH AS TORSIONAL LOADS, FLEXING MOTION, IMPACT LOADS, AND OVERTORQUING.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL ANDAN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DANA WILL PAY FOR REPLACEMENT AND LABOR COSTS OF THE ADJUSTMENT PIN WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE INSTALLING FACILITY AND THE VEHICLE OWNER. THESE PINS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY A FORD ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PIN ASSEMBLY. OWNER OR INSTALLER INQUIRIES CONCERNING THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN SHOULD CONTACT DANA SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-248-9606.

93V057000Electrical SystemApril 15, 1993 · 91,000 units

Defect

THE ROLL PINS SECURING THE IGNITION LOCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN HOUSING CAN SEPARATE OR MOVE OUT OF POSITION.

Consequence

THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER MAY DISENGAGE FROM THESTEERING COLUMN HOUSING WHICH COULD CAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN TO LOCK UP,RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

IF ONE OR BOTH OF THE ROLL PINS ARE MISSING OR NOT FULLY INSERTED, THE IGNITION LOCK HOUSING WILL BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE DOOR-LOCKS AND THE LIFTGATE OR DECK-LID LOCKS SO THAT KEY COMPATIBILITY IS MAINTAINED. IF BOTH PINS ARE PRESENT AND FULLY INSERTED, A PLASTIC SNAP-ON SLEEVE WILL BE INSTALLED AS A PRECAUTION TO PREVENT THE ROLL PINS FROM COMING OUT.

92V117000Fuel SystemAugust 19, 1992 · 22,000 units

Defect

FATIGUE CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN TUBE AND THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK.

Consequence

SHOULD A CRACK DEVELOP, FUEL VAPOR CAN ESCAPE FROM THETANK WHEN THE TANK IS FULL, AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACK.FUEL LEAKS CAN RESULT IN FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy

INSTALL A NEW FUEL PUMP SENDING ASSEMBLY.

90V076000Speed ControlApril 17, 1990 · 6,000 units

Defect

INTERFERENCE OCCUR BETWEEN BOLT THAT SECURES A FUEL LINE SHIELD TO THE LOWER PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK AT THE WIDE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION AND RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL WITH THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

CUT OFF EXTRA LENGTH OF BOLT THAT PROTRUDES ABOVE SURFACE OF WELD NUT TO PREVENT INTERFERENCE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION, CAUSING THE WIRING HARNESS TO MELT, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK CONSUMER STATES HE TURNED IGNITION OFF AND REMOVED KEY, ENGINE STILL CONTINUED TO RUN, KEY WAS PLACED BACK IN IGNITION IN AN ATTEMPT TO TURN IT OFF, VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 4, 1996 · fire

“I WAS INVOLVED IN A LITTLE ACCIDENT. I WAS GOING 20 MPH ON IMPACT AND MY AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT BROKE OUT OF THE TRACK.I WAS NOT SERIOUSLY HURT BUT COULD HAVE BEEN CRIPPLED.WHAT CAN I DO? MY SEAT BELT AND TRACK ARE NOW JUNK AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING A FORD AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT THING. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · October 11, 2000 · crash

“STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE, CARPETING IN PASSENGER SIDE AND TRUNK AREA HAS BURNT, POSSIBLE GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE TANK. TT IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY A PRIVATE AUTO REPAIR SHOP THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FULE LINE WHICH WAS LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST AND CATCHING FIRE, DUE TO THIS FAILURE THE ENGINE IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 2, 1995 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE FUEL TANK LEAKED FUEL & THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHORT CUTTED FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP KNEW VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT FIRE BEFORE, BUT NEVER INFORMED PRESENT OWNER. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 21, 1999 · fire

“WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, SMOKE COMES FROM THE THIRD REAR BRAKE LIGHT. DEALER FOUND AN OIL PAN GASKET LEAK, AND STATED THAT THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. DEALER CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. OWNER STILL EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUING TO SMOKE. OWNER HAS DISCONNECTED THE BRAKE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · June 3, 1998

1991 Ford Escort — common questions

Is the 1991 Ford Escort reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 413 complaints put the 1991 model at #5 of 23 Escort years. It is one of the Escort years to avoid.

What are the most common 1991 Escort problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (123 complaints), seat belts (73 complaints), fuel system (70 complaints).

Does the 1991 Ford Escort have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Ford Escort. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Ford Escort under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Escort years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Escort years to avoid are 1997, 1995, 1993, 1998, 1991, 1999, 1994, 1996, 1992, 1988, 1989. The cleanest record among Escort years belongs to 1981.

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.