Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1987 Ford Escort, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system28
- Engine and engine cooling12
- Seat belts3
- Steering3
- Suspension3
- Equipment2
- Wheels2
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Seats2
- Vehicle speed control1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 6 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Engines
The most common engines in 1987 Ford Escort cars on Dutch roads are the 1.4 petrol (54 kW, 72 hp), 1.6 petrol (77 kW, 103 hp) and 1.6 petrol (66 kW, 89 hp), out of 4 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.4 petrol | 54 kW 72 hp | 56 |
| 1.6 petrol | 77 kW 103 hp | 47 |
| 1.6 petrol | 66 kW 89 hp | 36 |
| 1.4 petrol | 55 kW 74 hp | 23 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
246 first registered in 1987 are on Dutch roads; 38% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen21
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld13
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde11
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse7
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm7
- Schijf-, trommelrem loopt niet vrij7
- Stofhoes aandrijfas beschadigd en dicht niet af7
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm6
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
158 cars built in 1987 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 1,165 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 336 of these cars first registered in 1987 took their annual MOT test. 79% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1987 the figure was 72%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1987 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 11.9% | 16.0% |
| Brakes | 8.0% | 9.5% |
| Suspension | 6.3% | 8.3% |
| Steering | 3.9% | 3.7% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 3.6% | 7.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.6% | 5.3% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
81 of these cars first registered in 1987 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 44,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
17 1987 cars are on the New Zealand register; 59% arrived as used imports, 24% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 1987 Ford Escort.
| 1989155 6 Nov 1989 | Seats And Restraints THE FORWARD OUTBOARD PEDESTAL OF THE SEAT TRACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURE. FRACTURE OF THIS PEDESTAL WOULD PERMIT A LIMITED DE… |
| 1989099 13 Jul 1989 | Emissions THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. THE CENTRAL FUEL INJECTOR (CFI) MAY OPERATE RICH DURING CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS. … |
| 1987098 9 Sept 1987 | Fuel System ON VEHICLES WITH EFI OR CFI, THE SPRING-LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING USED TO CONNECT THE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES TO THE EFI FUEL RAILS OR TO THE CFI THROTTLE BO… |
| 1987047 6 May 1987 | Suspension BECAUSE OF THE FRICTIONAL HEAT GENERATED BY THE HIGH SPEED LUG NUT INSTALLATION PROCESS, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE STAINLESS STEEL NUTS TO GALL AND POSSIBLY … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
THE FORWARD OUTBOARD PEDESTAL OF THE SEAT TRACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURE.
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
LUG NUTS COULD GALL AND POSSIBLY SEIZE ON THE WHEEL STUDS WITHOUT PROVIDING ADEQUATE CLAMPING LOAD ON THE WHEELS.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 1987 Ford Escort: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 623988 | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC |
| 623944 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC |
| 618599 | CONCERNS WITH PREMATURE FAILURE OCCURING ON THE 1.9L MOTORCRAFT REMANUFACTURED LONGBLOCK ASSEMBLY AND SHORTBLOCK ASSEMBLY DUE TO INGESTION OF FOREIGN OBJECTS REMAINING IN THE TRANSFERRED INTAKE SYSTEM FROM THE ORIGINAL FAILED ENGINE. *JB |
| 612203 | INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS |
| 6090087 | INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT |
| 6089681 | SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT |
| 608431 | INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT |
| 604059 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC |
| 601343 | A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC |
| 601312 | INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT |
| 601290 | INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC |
| 601238 | INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC |
| 601012 | THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC |
| 51945 | FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD |
| 50997 | TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW |
| 50940 | WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW |
| 50908 | TORQUE CONVERTER - LEAK TEST PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TW |
| 50905 | WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW |
| 46478 | THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IT MAY BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE RUBBER MATERIAL USED IN THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM. IF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE IS USED TO LUBRICATE ANY PART OF THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM, IT COULD CAUSE RUBBER PARTS TO SWELL IF LUBRICANT CONTACTS THE RUBBER MATERIAL. |
| 45947 | SHEET METAL-ROOF PANEL AND DRIP RAIL REPLACEMENT- SEAM SEALER APPLICATION PROCEDURE.*SD |
| 41025 | A REVISED SERVICE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS NOW AVAILABLE. *TW |
| 39900 | ROUGHNESS CONCERN DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. *TW |
| 37734 | ROUGH RUNNING AT STEADY HIGHWAY CRUISE SPEEDS. *TW |
| 3011600 | UNKNOWN |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
FUEL PUMP FAILURE
SAFETY BELT D-RING
FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINT
PASSIVE BELT FAILURE
REAR SAFETY BELT FIT
HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILURE
REAR SEAT BELT COMPLIANCE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation