FORD ESCORT · model year

1992 FORD ESCORT

222 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1992FORDESCORT carries 222 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 20 fires, 13 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1992 ESCORT is fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly with 21 filings, followed by electrical system:ignition:switch (18) and seat belts (14). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1992 ESCORT. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

222
Complaints
7
Crashes
20
Fires
13
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

222 filings

Crashes Reported

7 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH18
SEAT BELTS14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL7
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP6
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL5
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE4

Recent Complaints

20220602FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I have a very bad gas leak and have Always smelt fuel since I have owned the car, the front suspension is also affected and my rear lights are faulty

20220602SUSPENSION

I have a very bad gas leak and have Always smelt fuel since I have owned the car, the front suspension is also affected and my rear lights are faulty

20220602EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I have a very bad gas leak and have Always smelt fuel since I have owned the car, the front suspension is also affected and my rear lights are faulty

20090814FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD ESCORT. AFTER FILLING UP THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL, THE CONTACT DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE AND PARKED. ONE HOUR LATER, HE NOTICED A SMALL PUDDLE OF GASOLINE ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. HE STATED THAT THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL LINE OR FUEL TUBE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 92V117000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA92012 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED BECAUSE THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 131,000. UPDATED 11/03/09 *BF UPDATED 11/03/09.*JB

Mileage: 131,000

20080714TIRES:SIDEWALL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD ESCORT. THE VEHICLE HAS BIG O PRESTIGE RADIAL MAX TIRES, SIZE 175/70/R13 (NA). THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SIDEWALLS ON THE FRONT TWO TIRES WERE CRACKING. BECAUSE THE TIRES EXCEEDED THE ONE YEAR WARRANTY, THE DEALER WOULD BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER HAS THE TIRES. THE DOT AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 12,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/10/08. *JB

Mileage: 12,000

20061006FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THERE WAS A SMELL OF FUEL IN THE CABIN. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A NHTSA RECALL #92V117000 PERTAINING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE ORIGINAL OWNER ALSO NOTICED THE SMELL OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE BUT CHOSE TO DRIVE IT AT LESS THAN A FULL TANK.

Mileage: 139,000

20060811EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLAMP LENS IS TURNING CLOUDY WITH AGE, REDUCING AMOUNT OF LIGHT ON ROAD.

20060410ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

MY PATIENT HAD GONE TO HIS DIALYSIS APPOINTMENT AND WHEN HE GOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND TURNED THE KEY IT WOULD NOT START. HE WAITED FOR A BIT AND TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT STARTED. AS HE WAS DRIVING HOME, THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. HE HAD SOME PEOPLE HELP PUSH IT AROUND THE CORNER AND CALLED ME TO GET IT TOWED TO HIS HOUSE. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE VEHICLE I TRIED IT AND IT SEEMED AS THOUGH IT HAD A DEAD BATTERY. I CALLED AAA TO COME GIVE ME A JUMP AND WAITED FOR AN HOUR. WHEN THEY AAA GOT THERE AND GOT OUT OF THEIR TRUCK, THEY GOT IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AND TURNED THE KEY AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP WITH NO JUMP. WE TOOK A LOOK AT THE IGNITION WHEN WE GOT HOME AND TURNED THE KEY AND IT WAS STICKING BUT IT TURNED ON. I WAS HAVING THE CAR BROUGHT INTO A SHOP TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND IT DIED AGAIN. WHEN TRIED TO RESTART THE PIN IN THE END OF THE IGNITION SNAPPED OFF AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED TO THE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION. OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 9 MONTHS TH

20051121FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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. *NM

Mileage: 74,838

20051117FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 92V117000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. *AK

20041217POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION OR WHILE IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE. *JB

Mileage: 76,365

20040422SEAT BELTS

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.

Mileage: 111,000

20040422UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Mileage: 111,000

20031208FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

RECALL 92V117000 CONCERNING FUEL PUMP FAILURE. ANYTIME THE CONSUMER GETS INTO THE VEHICLE THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. CONSUMER IS NOT SURE IF HER VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

Mileage: 136,000

20030923ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD STARTED SMOKING. THE DRIVER PULLED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED A GARAGE. *AK *NM

Mileage: 102,239

20030908ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

ELECTRICAL FAILURE; DRIVER'S SIDE LAP BELT; DASH LIGHTS(SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE HEAT TEMP & REVOLOTION GUAGE), RADIO LIGHTS, DRIVER'S DOOR BUZZER/ OVERHEAD LIGHT; A/C,/ HEATER FAN INTERMITTENT. IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, X2, BOTH BRAKE LIGHT BULBS REPLACED: COURTESY LIGHT IN TRUNK NEEDS REPLACED. HAS NEVER BEEN TO GARAGE, TO BE REPAIRED, FOR ANY ABOVE ELECTRICAL.EXCEPTION, IGNITION REPLACED BY GARAGE X1.*AK

20030908ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

ELECTRICAL FAILURE; DRIVER'S SIDE LAP BELT; DASH LIGHTS(SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE HEAT TEMP & REVOLOTION GUAGE), RADIO LIGHTS, DRIVER'S DOOR BUZZER/ OVERHEAD LIGHT; A/C,/ HEATER FAN INTERMITTENT. IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, X2, BOTH BRAKE LIGHT BULBS REPLACED: COURTESY LIGHT IN TRUNK NEEDS REPLACED. HAS NEVER BEEN TO GARAGE, TO BE REPAIRED, FOR ANY ABOVE ELECTRICAL.EXCEPTION, IGNITION REPLACED BY GARAGE X1.*AK

20030908EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

ELECTRICAL FAILURE; DRIVER'S SIDE LAP BELT; DASH LIGHTS(SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE HEAT TEMP & REVOLOTION GUAGE), RADIO LIGHTS, DRIVER'S DOOR BUZZER/ OVERHEAD LIGHT; A/C,/ HEATER FAN INTERMITTENT. IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, X2, BOTH BRAKE LIGHT BULBS REPLACED: COURTESY LIGHT IN TRUNK NEEDS REPLACED. HAS NEVER BEEN TO GARAGE, TO BE REPAIRED, FOR ANY ABOVE ELECTRICAL.EXCEPTION, IGNITION REPLACED BY GARAGE X1.*AK

20030908FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL FAILURE; DRIVER'S SIDE LAP BELT; DASH LIGHTS(SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE HEAT TEMP & REVOLOTION GUAGE), RADIO LIGHTS, DRIVER'S DOOR BUZZER/ OVERHEAD LIGHT; A/C,/ HEATER FAN INTERMITTENT. IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, X2, BOTH BRAKE LIGHT BULBS REPLACED: COURTESY LIGHT IN TRUNK NEEDS REPLACED. HAS NEVER BEEN TO GARAGE, TO BE REPAIRED, FOR ANY ABOVE ELECTRICAL.EXCEPTION, IGNITION REPLACED BY GARAGE X1.*AK

20030908ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ELECTRICAL FAILURE; DRIVER'S SIDE LAP BELT; DASH LIGHTS(SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE HEAT TEMP & REVOLOTION GUAGE), RADIO LIGHTS, DRIVER'S DOOR BUZZER/ OVERHEAD LIGHT; A/C,/ HEATER FAN INTERMITTENT. IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, X2, BOTH BRAKE LIGHT BULBS REPLACED: COURTESY LIGHT IN TRUNK NEEDS REPLACED. HAS NEVER BEEN TO GARAGE, TO BE REPAIRED, FOR ANY ABOVE ELECTRICAL.EXCEPTION, IGNITION REPLACED BY GARAGE X1.*AK

Compare 1992FORDESCORT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1992 FORD ESCORT have?
The 1992 FORD ESCORT has 222 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 20 fires, 13 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 FORD ESCORT?
The most-complained component for the 1992 FORD ESCORT is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY with 21 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH and SEAT BELTS.
Is the 1992 FORD ESCORT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.