1986 Ford Escort Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 42%of 45 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,150miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the electrical system of the 1986 Ford Escort, 42% of the 45 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,150 miles. 12 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Several times over the last few months while driving with the engine temperature in the normal range on the freeway traveling at between 70-75 MPH the engine stalls and will not restart. When pulled to the side of the road after looking under the hood and removing the timing plug and allowing the ignition module to cool for about 5 minutes the engine restarts. The engine will not restart without removing the timing plug. I have replaced the ignition module and the ignition module pickup with original factory replacement parts. …”
NHTSA complaint #10007035, filed 2000-10, 80,150 miles“When driving at any speed vehicle will stall and cut off without prior warning. Vehicle has stalled out in the middle of an intersection. Consumer has contacted dealer. Dealer noted that ignition went bad which caused the vehicle to stall . Ignition was replaced on a number of occasions.”
NHTSA complaint #872737, filed 2000-10“Several times over the last few months while driving with the engine temperature in the normal range on the freeway traveling at between 70-75 MPH the vehicle stalls and will not restart. When pulled to the side of the road after looking under the hood and removing the timing plug and allowing the ignition module to cool for about 5 minutes the engine restarts. The engine will not restart without removing the timing plug. I have replaced the ignition module and the ignition module pickup with original factory replacement parts. …”
NHTSA complaint #734328, filed 2000-10“Driven on frwy, parked in parking lot, took vehicle off parking lot, about 1/4 mile later saw flames coming from hood, fire dept arrived & put flames out.”
NHTSA complaint #984819, filed 1996-05Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 | 6% |
| 2001 | 5 | 7% |
| 2000 | 5 | 5% |
| 1999 | 39 | 12% |
| 1998 | 43 | 11% |
| 1997 | 114 | 21% |
| 1996 | 14 | 7% |
| 1995 | 48 | 8% |
| 1994 | 30 | 11% |
| 1993 | 40 | 11% |
| 1992 | 36 | 22% |
| 1991 | 104 | 32% |
| 1990 | 46 | 46% |
| 1989 | 64 | 42% |
| 1988 | 75 | 52% |
| 1987 | 28 | 50% |
| 1986 | 19 | 42% |
| 1985 | 9 | 35% |
| 1984 | 11 | 52% |
| 1983 | 2 | 29% |
Other parts of the 1986 Ford Escort
9 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1986 Ford Escort
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology