CarModelProblems.com

1993 Ford Escort Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Seat Belts — runs 5.7× the fleet median for that category across the 343 model-years tracked on this site.
379Complaints
3Recalls
31Crashes
16Fires
31Injured
6Deaths

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

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Seat Belts (14.5% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Seat Belts complaints here are 5.7× the median for that category across the 343 model-years tracked on this site.

None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Seat Belts55 · 14.5%No official action
Vehicle Speed Control46 · 12.1%Investigation closedEA94002
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly27 · 7.1%No official action
Seat Belts:front:anchorage20 · 5.3%No official action
Power Train:automatic Transmission16 · 4.2%No official action
Seat Belts:front:retractor15 · 4%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SEAT BELTS55 · 14.5%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION16 · 4.2%
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR15 · 4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE15 · 4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH15 · 4%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS10 · 2.6%
Unspecified / other8 · 2.1%

Percentages are the share of the 379 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 3 campaigns

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:front

NHTSA campaign 94E019000 · 1994 · reported 06/02/1994

THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL ANDAN ACCIDENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seats

NHTSA campaign 94V055000 · 1994 · reported 03/26/1994

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THE SEAT CAN MOVE, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN REDUCED OCCUPANT PROTECTION. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THE DRIVER'S SIDE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT NO LONGER RUNS ON THE TRACK AND CANNOT BE USED.”NHTSA complaint 814982 — filed 08/04/1997 · SEAT BELTS
“MOTORIZED SEAT BELT:PUT HEAD UP AGAINST DOOR THE BELT SLID AND THEN RELEASED BELT BUCKLE, HIT AGAINST THE HEAD. STRAP WRAPPED AROUND THE FRONT OF…”NHTSA complaint 813606 — filed 06/27/1997 · SEAT BELTS
“ELECTRICAL SEAT BELT IS STUCK IN TRACK HALWAY. DOES NOT MOVE. DUE TO THIS DEFECT THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RESTRAINT THE CONSUMER IN A…”NHTSA complaint 813409 — filed 06/23/1997 · SEAT BELTS

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

Complaint trend by year filed

891995576219975556199969262001181820039620051112007122012

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1993 Ford Escort?

Seat belts issues are the most-reported category, cited in 55 of 379 NHTSA complaints (14.5%), followed by vehicle speed control (46), fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (27), seat belts:front:anchorage (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1993 Ford Escort have?

379 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 31 involved a crash, 16 involved a fire, and 31 reported injuries. 6 deaths were reported.

Does the 1993 Ford Escort have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E026000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1993 Ford Escort's reported problems?

0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

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.