1990 Ford Escort Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 12%of 101 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1990 Ford Escort, 12% of the 101 complaints for this model year. 5 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“Known failure of vane air flow meter cause bucking of car at highway and street speeds.see Ford TSB 94-23-8. Car locks front wheels on snowy conditions when engine bucks. The TSB calls for kit fopz-9k672-a and vfmeter e9fz-12b529-a. Kit designed in 1994 while my car was still under warranty. No notification on TSB's according to Ford policy. Please send address I can send my documentation to date, to your office. Thank you.”
NHTSA complaint #702684, filed 1999-01“After vehicle had been driven on interstate owner went to a rest stop. When owner returned vehicle was engulfed in flames. Fire came from engine compartment.cause unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #817076, filed 1997-10“The radiator mounts disconnected from the metal rubber, allowing the radiator to lean back/ rock back and forth, causing a hole to wear in the alternator case.”
NHTSA complaint #806923, filed 1997-01“While parked in front of house, vehicle suddenly blew up; made loud sound, suddenly fire was everywhere. Owner will provide more details; vehicle totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #983414, filed 1996-04Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 | 20% |
| 2002 | 11 | 33% |
| 2001 | 12 | 18% |
| 2000 | 21 | 21% |
| 1999 | 62 | 19% |
| 1998 | 49 | 13% |
| 1997 | 66 | 12% |
| 1996 | 30 | 15% |
| 1995 | 54 | 9% |
| 1994 | 30 | 11% |
| 1993 | 33 | 9% |
| 1992 | 15 | 9% |
| 1991 | 17 | 5% |
| 1990 | 12 | 12% |
| 1989 | 22 | 14% |
| 1988 | 21 | 15% |
| 1987 | 12 | 21% |
| 1986 | 9 | 20% |
| 1985 | 5 | 19% |
| 1984 | 5 | 24% |
Other parts of the 1990 Ford Escort
46 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 27, 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