1990 Ford Escort Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 46about this part
- Share
- 46%of 101 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,786miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 46 complaints about the electrical system of the 1990 Ford Escort, 46% of the 101 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,786 miles. 28 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The car starts fine when cold. After driving to town sometimes won't start right off,sometimes it does. Mostof the time I have to try and try.some times when it does start it revs up then dies. Then try to start again, sometime the same thing sometime will start. When started it runs just fine.”
NHTSA complaint #10037188, filed 2003-09, 39,786 miles“This was an original part that failed and caught on fire. It burned the part itself up, the wiring, and stuff under the dash. This could have been fatal as this part is located inside the steering wheel. Has there been a recall on this part. I do not have the VIN with me at work. I will get it from my daughter so that I can forward to you.”
NHTSA complaint #740568, filed 2001-02“About one hour after arriving home from work someone knocked on my door to notify me that the 1990 Ford Escort that I had purchased used on march 31,1999 was smoking. I called the fire department, by this time flames were shooting from under the hood and the horn was blaring. The fire was extingushed , but the car is now totally useless.”
NHTSA complaint #706372, filed 1999-05“Merging into traffic on freeway, car lost power, it didn't stall immediately because I had brakes for awhile to get off the road and stop. There was no warning, the drive-train just lost power. Further inspection showed that fuel was being injected. I could turn the key, it would fire and die. Had I been in the middle of the freeway, there likely could've been an accident. I called Ford, they knew about the specific problem and said sorry, we haven't been ordered to repair that yet. …”
NHTSA complaint #740177, filed 2001-01“After I purchased my Ford Escort, the first thing I noticed was the windshield made noise as I would drive, it sounded like it was popping out of the car,and then the windsheild cracks at the top seam of the car . I called Ford to be told they were not responsible. Next my ignition starts malfunctioning, sometimes the key wont go in, other times the ignition will turn on without a key , the key is torn up, the ignition unit recently wont turn the key in it , I have actually been stuck in public cause the ignition would not work. I really do not understand why? …”
NHTSA complaint #730174, filed 2000-09Related recalls
- 96V071000Apr 25, 1996The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.Covers: Ford Escort 1988–1990, Thunderbird 1988–1993, Mercury Cougar 1988–1993 +12 more
Electrical 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 1990 Ford Escort
12 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsTires
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 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