1992 Ford Escort Problems

What owners report

Complaints about this model year centre on two long-running themes: fuel leaking from the top of the tank, and electrical trouble ranging from dead dash lights to smoke and wiring damage. Many of these cars are now high-mileage, and owners frequently mention gasoline smells after filling up, intermittent stalling or no-starts, and automatic shoulder belts that no longer run in their tracks.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel leak from top of tank (gas smell, puddles)

   • 32 complaints (20%)
   • median 131,000 mi at 14.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2009

   Owners describe a strong gasoline smell, especially after filling the tank, and sometimes a puddle of fuel under the car once it is parked. Several say the leak was traced to the top of the fuel tank, a cracked tank, or the joint where the return tube meets the sending unit, and that a tank or sending-unit replacement was needed. Multiple complaints mention that the vehicle was not covered by recall 92V117000 because of its VIN, and that dealers or the manufacturer said nothing could be done. Described at a wide range of mileages, from under 40,000 to around 170,000 miles, and most often reported right after refuelling or when the tank is full.

   Recall 92V117000

   What to check: Smell around the rear of the car shortly after a fill-up, and look for staining or dampness on top of the tank and along the fuel lines. Ask whether the fuel pump sending unit or tank has ever been replaced under recall 92V117000.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Gasoline leaks from top of gas tank when filled. There is a recall (NHTSA# 92v-117, Ford # 92s54 ) I contacted the dealer and they had no record of recall, and told me it was to old to check. I then called Ford's customer service dept, and was told the recall had been closed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10143393, filed 2005-11, 74,838 miles

   “Unibody has rubbed a hole in the fuel tank, car has never been in an accident, I feel like this is due to a flaw in the design, gas has been leaking on the exhaust pipe. I was told by a mechanic that this should be reported. I will also contact the Ford motor co. And the consumer protection agency. I feel there was a great potential for injury or death”

   NHTSA complaint #711198, filed 2000-04
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Electrical faults: smoke, burning wiring, dead dash lights

   • 34 complaints (21%)
   • median 102,239 mi at 11.4 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2006

   Complaints describe smoke coming from the dashboard or defroster vents, a burning-wire smell, and wiring harnesses or ignition switch connectors found burnt. Owners also report repeated blown fuses that shut down instruments, gauges and accessories, and intermittent total power loss where the engine quits but the radio and lights stay on. In several cases the car was towed or repaired at the owner's expense, and some owners say a related ignition-switch recall did not cover their car. Mileages vary widely, with several reports above 100,000 miles; problems are often described as intermittent over months.

   What to check: Check that all dash and warning lights work, look under the dash for discoloured or spliced wiring, and ask whether the ignition switch or any wiring harness has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “For about a year this car has quit running while your driving down the road. The engine just stops without sputtering or anything. Like you shut it off ,only the radio and lights stay on (except dash lights) . Sometimes it will start back up while your still moving, but I usually have to turn the key off and on until the dash lights come back on and it starts then. I had this car checked on a diagnostic thing and it found nothing wrong. Sometimes it will be a month without doing it then it does it 10 times in a week. Thanks.”

   NHTSA complaint #734212, filed 2000-10

   “After driving vehicle a short distance there was the smell of electrical wire burning and soon after, smoke emerged from the defroster vents. Vehicle was shut off and smoking quit. Upon inspection it was noted that the wiring harness under the instrument panel had burnt up beyond repair.”

   NHTSA complaint #10010123, filed 2003-03, 168,000 miles
3. 3
   Seat belts

   Automatic shoulder belt stuck or not retracting

   • 20 complaints (12%)
   • median 111,000 mi at 12.1 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2004

   Owners report that the motorised front shoulder belts stop moving along their track, run only intermittently, or fail to retract, leaving only the lap belt usable. Some describe the belt not holding in a collision or a retractor part breaking away from its mount. Complaints often note that the dealer was told but the problem was not corrected, and several say repairs were offered only at the owner's cost. Reported across the model year's life, with mileage rarely stated in these complaints.

   What to check: With the door closed, watch both front shoulder belts travel the full length of their track and retract on their own; test the lap and shoulder portions separately for locking.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The atomatic seatbelt is not running in it's track continuously. It has decided to work when and if it feels like it. The paint started peeling on the top of the trunk in 1998 or 99 approximately, I have never had the money to get the paint fixed. I did however get the side painted when I was involved in an accident in 1993. That paint has bubbled. I don't remember what it cost me, I think just my insurance deductible at that time.”

   NHTSA complaint #10068870, filed 2004-01, 111,000 miles

   “Consumer experiencing ongoing problems with vehicle equipments: 1.) rear seat belt failed to retract; 2.) brake light builb would overheat, causing parts to melt; and 3.) vehicle would intermittently accelerate while shifting gears or at a stop position. Dealer/ manufacturer notified, and refused to repair unless cost goes to consumer.”

   NHTSA complaint #834978, filed 1999-02
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Unintended acceleration / high or sticking idle

   • 19 complaints (12%)
   • median 76,365 mi at 13.1 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2004

   Complaints describe the engine revving unexpectedly, the car surging when the accelerator is released or the brakes are applied, and the pedal feeling stuck at highway speed in cold weather. Owners mention throttle-related parts such as the idle air control valve or throttle sensor being replaced, and in some cases the behaviour continued afterwards. Some report the engine being hard to shut off or running at high rpm without input. Often described at highway speeds, some reports specifically in temperatures below about 30 degrees, and after long drives.

   What to check: Ask whether the throttle body, idle air control valve or throttle position sensor has been serviced, and test for a pedal that does not return freely or an idle that hangs high after revving.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When taking foot off accelerator vehicle accelerates very high, more than normal. If tapping accelerater it will go back down to normal or cut off. Please provide any further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #8003808, filed 2002-02

   “When driving at 65 MPH and below 30 degree temperature the accelerator pedal sticks, causing unexpected acceleration. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer replaced the oxygen sensor.”

   NHTSA complaint #810264, filed 1997-03
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls or cuts out while driving

   • 12 complaints (7%)
   • median 130,000 mi at 9.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2006

   Owners describe the engine stopping without warning while driving or turning, sometimes restarting only after the key is cycled, and dealers being unable to find a fault on diagnostics. Some reports trace overheating and stalling to a head gasket leak that stopped coolant circulation, with the check-engine light staying on. Others mention a mass airflow sensor replacement that did not resolve the stalling. Mostly described on higher-mileage cars, with the head-gasket case reported around 130,000 miles; the stalling itself is described as intermittent.

   What to check: Check coolant level and condition, look for overheating history or a replaced head gasket, and ask whether the car has ever cut out at speed or needed a tow for a no-start.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My Escort stalls while driving, turning right, etc. I took it to the dealership. They put my Escort on the computer and informed me the mass air flow sensor needed replacing. I did this but it did not solve the problem!!!!!!!!! I need help. **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*734315”

   NHTSA complaint #10007027, filed 2000-10, 130,000 miles

   “My Escort stalls while driving, turning right, etc. I took it to the dealership, they put my Escort on the computer, and informed me the mass airflow sensor meeded replaced. I did this but, it did not solve the problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need help!!!”

   NHTSA complaint #734315, filed 2000-10

Buying note. These are old, usually high-mileage cars, so condition matters more than the model itself; inspect the fuel tank area, the wiring under the dash, the automatic belts and the cooling system closely. Ask for service records on any fuel-tank, ignition-switch or head-gasket work, and confirm by VIN whether recall 92V117000 was ever performed.

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.