1989 Ford Escort Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1989 Ford Escort report a broad spread of problems on an aging vehicle, but two themes dominate: engine-compartment and dashboard fires traced to the electrical system (ignition switch and alternator), and a group of seat-belt complaints involving the automatic shoulder belts and crash performance. Most reports come from cars with well over 100,000 miles, though a number of the fire complaints were filed while the cars were still relatively new.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Engine-compartment and dashboard fires

   • 67 complaints (44%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 15.4 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 59 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2006

   Complaints describe smoke or a burning smell followed by flames from under the hood or behind the dash, in some cases while the car was parked with the ignition off and in others while driving. Several owners point to the alternator or the ignition switch as the apparent source, and some mention a charging light coming on beforehand. A few report repeat events after parts such as the alternator were replaced. Reported across a wide mileage range, from cars with very low miles to one at about 120,000; several describe the fire occurring minutes after starting or shortly after parking.

   Recall 96V071000

   What to check: Have the charging system and under-hood wiring inspected, and ask whether the ignition switch recall (96V071000) was completed. Owners should watch for a flickering battery light, hot keys, or a burning smell and stop driving if any appear.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While my daughter was driving our 1989 Ford Escort she turned l to pull into a drive way and she smelled smoke. She only got a few yards and the car burst into flames. I did contact my insurance company, but since the car was not insured for fire. They recommended I contact Ford. When asked if there were any defects that would cause the car to burst into flames. I was told no there was not. So there was it was not investigated. While looking over this web site I have found many fires. And I was wonder if any action could be taken. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10018561, filed 2003-05, 89,000 miles

   “Alternator caught on fire. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership who replaced alternator. Also, the second alternator caught on fire at the gas pump. The fire department was notified and extinguished the blaze. Consumer claimed it may have been the installation that caused the fire.”

   NHTSA complaint #10057546, filed 2004-02, 120,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch failure and recall

   • 23 complaints (15%)
   • median 25 mi at 15.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 15 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Complaints describe the ignition switch shorting internally, with symptoms ranging from the key feeling hot and the engine not cranking to a fire originating at the switch. Some owners report that the switch replaced under recall later developed the same trouble, and others say a dealer had no record of the recall or would not schedule the work. A few tie engine stalling and rough running to ignition components. Filed from the mid-1990s through the early 2000s on cars of various mileages, including one report at very low miles.

   Recall 96V071000

   What to check: Ask for documentation that recall 96V071000 was performed and when. Check that the key turns smoothly and does not become hot, and note any no-crank or intermittent starting.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine check engine light is on,the car stalls and jerks.I was with my car in two services. The first:pyramid shell service charged me with 400$ for some ignitions modules who were replaced.after I picked up my car in one hour I met the same problems.I brought the car back and they checked again and said that will cost me another 400$ because they have to change the computer.isaid no,because I had no trust in them and I went to john west Ford .o.k.they changed again almost the same parts and charged me with 620$.I paid everything.I just …”

   NHTSA complaint #719698, filed 2000-03

   “Battery charging light going on & off at times. Also on 2 separate occasions when vehicle was started fuel gauge will register above full & at same time temperature. Gauge goes up to maximum. Neither being close to be corrected. During this time I noticed keys & ignition become very hot. If turned on & off couple times it is ok again . Except occasional charging light on & off with no loss of power. Can't find cause!”

   NHTSA complaint #10041688, filed 2003-10, 25 miles
3. 3
   Seat belts

   Automatic shoulder belt problems

   • 17 complaints (11%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 20.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2010

   Owners describe the motorized front shoulder belts locking in the forward position, failing to retract, or becoming very tight until the ignition is switched off. Several mention stripped gears or a burnt-out motor in the track assembly, and one owner was told the whole system needed replacing. Crash complaints also describe belts coming apart or not holding occupants. Mostly reported on cars at or near 100,000 miles, with a few crash-related reports at similar mileage.

   What to check: With the ignition on, cycle the door and watch the shoulder belt travel the full track in both directions. Check that it retracts fully and ask whether the track motor or gears have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Sometimes the automatic shoulder belt on the driver's side becomes extremely tight when closing the door. The consumer mentioned that he has to turn the ignition off in order for the belt to loosen. Dealer is not aware of the situation.”

   NHTSA complaint #828997, filed 1998-10

   “Motorized seat belts remained/locked up in forward position; hinge at top end gears have stripped; motor turns with no effect; according to dealer, entire system needs replacing.”

   NHTSA complaint #819032, filed 1998-01
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalling and no-start

   • 14 complaints (9%)
   • typically at 10.3 yrs old
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2002

   Owners describe the engine dying at stops or when the clutch is pressed, stalling in wet weather until the distributor cap is dried, and no-start conditions after running. Some tie it to the water pump, timing belt, or ignition modules, and one notes the check-engine light coming on with jerking and stalling. Reported across a range of mileages, with several owners noting the stalling worsens in rain or after the engine is warm.

   What to check: Start the car cold and warm, and note any idle surge or stalling when coming to a stop. Ask about timing belt and water pump service history and inspect the distributor cap and ignition components.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle stalls alot, especially when it rains. Owner has to blow dry distributor cap before vehicle will start again. Also, when depressing clutch pedal, vehicle stalls. This has been an ongoing problem for the last couple of years. Clutch has been replaced. Please provide any further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #873477, filed 2000-10

   “As soon as vehicle starts the rpms rev to 2200 rpms for about two seconds then fall to 0 and engine dies/stalls if acceleratosr is not pressed quickly. Once moving and clutch pushed in and decelerating to come to a stop, the vehicle stalls. Also, replaced map sensor.”

   NHTSA complaint #523435, filed 1997-10
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights dimming or cutting out

   • 5 complaints (3%)
   • typically at 9.0 yrs old
   • filed 1997–1998

   Complaints describe headlights that dim, go out for extended periods, or fail along with the turn signals, sometimes traced to the multi-purpose switch. Some owners replaced bulbs repeatedly without solving it, and one had the switch replaced many times. Others report the lights cutting out at highway speed. Reported on cars from new through older age; several owners say the problem has been present since the car was new.

   What to check: Test the headlights, high beams, and turn signals, including the stalk switch, and check for flickering over a few minutes of operation. Ask whether the multi-purpose switch has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Multi-purpose switch failed, causing the headlights and signal switch to become inoperative, replaced multi-purpose switch 9 times. This represents a safety hazard, especially when driving at night without headlights and turn signal. It has also occurred to consumer mother's 1987 Ford Escort gt. Ford motor customer services was non-cooperative when contacted with a full history of the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #701019, filed 1998-11

   “Consumer was driving on the highway and the headlights went out. Had to pull off the road and sat there until the headlights came on two hours later. Consumer had this problem since he bought the car which was brand new .”

   NHTSA complaint #832017, filed 1998-12

Buying note. On a car this old, the electrical system deserves the most attention: confirm the ignition-switch recall was completed and have the alternator and under-hood wiring checked before buying. Also test the automatic seat belts through a full cycle and the headlights over several minutes, since these are common and costly repairs on this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.