1983 Ford Escort Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 5campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1983 Ford Escort (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1983 Ford Escort. The part named most often is brakes, with 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and fuel system (1). Of all complaints, 2 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes2 29%
- Electrical system2 29%
- Fuel system1 14%
- Other or unknown1 14%
- Seat belts1 14%
Example complaints
Other or unknown: “The car purchased was for 1800 and the mechanic where purchased from told eric that the car was fully inspected and ready for the road. His girlfriend test drove the car and told greg that the brakes didnt work he said he'd have them looked at. Had the car for 2 days after he supposedly re-checked them and brought the car to monro muffler to be re-checked and found that the whole underside of the car was rusted and rotted straight through. The car is unable to be driven and greg refuses to return the money to the consumer. If you could please help us out that would be great. …”
NHTSA complaint #10036769, filed 2003-08Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 88V193000Dec 19, 1988Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: Ford Escort 1983
The diaphragm material of the mechanical fuel pumps may deteriorate and allow the diaphragm to rupture.
- 85V067000May 21, 1985Seat belts › Rear/otherCovers: Ford Escort 1982–1983, Mercury Lynx 1982–1983
Rear seat belt retractors may allow twisted webbing to enter the retractor housing and jam the retractor. Consequence of defect: a jammed retractor would interfere with webbing retraction and withdrawal. This will discourage seat belt usage.
- 84V071000Jun 15, 1984SeatsCovers: Ford Escort 1981–1983, Mercury Lynx 1981–1983, Ford Tempo 1984
Seat frame structure could sever front seat belts if vehicle is involved in an accident, depending on force of impact.
- 83V063000Jun 22, 1983Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › LatchCovers: Ford Escort 1981–1983, Mercury Lynx 1981–1983, Ford EXP 1982–1983
Door lock pillars could develop fatigue cracks from normal usage of door, at the point where door latch striker reinforcements are attached.
- 82V088000Sep 16, 1982Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and capCovers: Ford Escort 1983, Mercury Lynx 1983
During a crash barrier test, the rubber hose connecting the fuel tank and the metal filler pipe vent tube was cut, resulting in fuel leakage. The involved vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity".
Recall details for the 1983 Ford Escort → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- DP86016STALLINGClosed · Jul 24, 1986
- EA86010Seatback failureClosed · Mar 26, 1986
- DP84017Stalling and carburetor malfunctionsClosed · May 30, 1984
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1983 Ford Escort.
Other model years of the Ford Escort
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 10 | 18,785 | 0 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 33 | 51,600 | 0 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 68 | 40,600 | 0 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 98 | 57,810 | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 325 | 67,856 | 1 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 375 | 75,000 | 0 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 543 | 78,000 | 1 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1996 | 205 | 86,000 | 0 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 576 | 99,650 | 4 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 279 | 82,937 | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 379 | 82,170 | 1 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 162 | 111,000 | 2 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1991 | 327 | 128,375 | 3 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 101 | 79,893 | 2 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 152 | 100,000 | 1 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 143 | 67,000 | 2 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 56 | — | 3 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 45 | 80,150 | 2 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 26 | 75,000 | 3 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1984 | 21 | 5,000 | 3 | — | 25 | — | Stable |
| 1983 | 7 | — | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford Escort model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1983 Ford Escort have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1983 Ford Escort as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1983 Ford Escort is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 1983 Ford Escort been recalled?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.