1989 Ford Escort Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 6%of 152 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1989 Ford Escort, 6% of the 152 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Headlamps go off when used for a extended period of time. This problem has persisted since the car was new. It now has happened more frequently. On several occasions this has happened at freeway speeds.”
NHTSA complaint #701176, filed 1998-12“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. The fact that another Escort displayed the same symptoms received the attention of the state of washington attorney general, who advised consumer to pursue the issue by hiring a private attorney. …”
NHTSA complaint #701019, filed 1998-11Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 3% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% |
| 1999 | 12 | 4% |
| 1998 | 3 | 1% |
| 1997 | 12 | 2% |
| 1996 | 1 | 0% |
| 1995 | 12 | 2% |
| 1994 | 5 | 2% |
| 1993 | 5 | 1% |
| 1992 | 8 | 5% |
| 1991 | 16 | 5% |
| 1989 | 9 | 6% |
| 1988 | 11 | 8% |
| 1986 | 2 | 4% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1989 Ford Escort
64 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsSeat belts
19 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 Ford Escort
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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