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1991 Ford Escort Electrical System:ignition Problems

NHTSA component category: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · data through 07/14/2026

20Electrical System:ignition complaints
6.1%Of all 327 complaints
#5Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How electrical system:ignition ranks on this vehicle

Share of the 327 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1991 Ford Escort overview page.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING THE FAULTY IGNITION SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE.FIRE WAS DUE TO A POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SHORT.”NHTSA complaint 812874 — filed 06/09/1997
“THE IGNITON WILL NOT TURN OFF WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED AND THE SIGNAL BELL STILL RINGS AFTER THE KEY IS REMOVED. *SLC”NHTSA complaint 800520 — filed 08/06/1996
“IGNITTION WIRING SHORTED OUT, CAUSING ALTERNATOR/BELTS TO FAIL.”NHTSA complaint 504956 — filed 06/04/1996

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Electrical System:ignition complaints by year filed

11995719961199711998219992200022001120022200412005

Frequently asked questions

Does the 1991 Ford Escort have electrical system:ignition problems?

Electrical System:ignition is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 1991 Ford Escort: 20 of 327 complaints on file (6.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 1991 Ford Escort have in total?

327 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 20 involved a crash, 61 involved a fire, 16 reported injuries, and 2 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's electrical system:ignition category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.