Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1988 Ford Escort, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system75
- Engine and engine cooling21
- Seat belts17
- Exterior lighting11
- Fuel system, gasoline9
- Steering9
- Power train7
- Suspension5
- Visibility4
- Seats3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 8 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Engines
The most common engines in 1988 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 (97 kW, 130 hp), out of 6 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.4 petrol | 54 kW 72 hp | 60 |
| 1.6 petrol | 77 kW 103 hp | 33 |
| 1.6 petrol | 97 kW 130 hp | 32 |
| 1.6 petrol | 65 kW 87 hp | 29 |
| 1.3 petrol | 44 kW 59 hp | 25 |
| 1.6 diesel | 40 kW 54 hp | 22 |
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
232 first registered in 1988 are on Dutch roads; 36% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde22
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen21
- Remslang beschadigd, wapeningsmateriaal zichtbaar12
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld10
- Achterlicht werkt niet (goed)8
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse8
- Stofhoes aandrijfas beschadigd en dicht niet af7
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm7
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
268 cars built in 1988 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 1,955 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, 564 of these cars first registered in 1988 took their annual MOT test. 77% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1988 the figure was 71%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1988 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 12.4% | 16.0% |
| Brakes | 8.0% | 9.6% |
| Suspension | 7.6% | 8.8% |
| Visibility | 5.3% | 6.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.0% | 5.2% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.4% | 7.4% |
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
91 of these cars first registered in 1988 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 51,000 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 1988 cars are on the New Zealand register; 88% arrived as used imports, 6% 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 1988 Ford Escort.
| 1995212 29 Nov 1995 | Electrical A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDIT… |
| 1993165 6 Dec 1993 | Emissions NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9 LITRE ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES MAY RELEASE CARBON MONOXIDE EXHAUST EMISSIONS WHICH EXCEED THE REQUIREMENTS OF C.M.V.S.S 1103 - … |
| 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… |
| 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… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
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 1988 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 |
| 601269 | ANNOUNCING THE FORD OEM AIR CONDITIONING RETROFIT KIT AVAILABILITY. *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
SAFETY BELT D-RING
FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINT
PASSIVE BELT FAILURE
REAR SAFETY BELT FIT
REAR SEAT BELT COMPLIANCE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation