1983 Ford Escort recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
5 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. THE DIAPHRAGM MATERIAL OF THE MECHANICAL FUEL PUMPS MAY DETERIORATE AND ALLOW THE DIAPHRAGM TO RUPTURE.
What could happen: FUEL PUMPED THROUGH THE RUPTURED DIAPHRAGM AND OUT OFTHE VENT OPENING COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: INSTALL NEW MECHANICAL FUEL PUMPS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGM MATERIAL AND REVISE WIRING FOR ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP CIRCUITS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1983 ESCORT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 88V193000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Summary: THE DIAPHRAGM MATERIAL OF THE MECHANICAL FUEL PUMPS MAY DETERIORATE AND ALLOW THE DIAPHRAGM TO RUPTURE.
Consequence: FUEL PUMPED THROUGH THE RUPTURED DIAPHRAGM AND OUT OFTHE VENT OPENING COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW MECHANICAL FUEL PUMPS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGM MATERIAL AND REVISE WIRING FOR ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP CIRCUITS.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL PUMPS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH SPECIALLY EQUIPPED ENGINES FOR METHANOLFUELS.
2. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. SEAT FRAME STRUCTURE COULD SEVER FRONT SEAT BELTS IF VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, DEPENDING ON FORCE OF IMPACT.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL INSTALL A MOLDED SPACER BETWEEN REINFORCEMENT PLATES AND LOWER DECORATIVE PLASTIC COVER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1983 ESCORT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 84V071000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS
Summary: SEAT FRAME STRUCTURE COULD SEVER FRONT SEAT BELTS IF VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, DEPENDING ON FORCE OF IMPACT.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A MOLDED SPACER BETWEEN REINFORCEMENT PLATES AND LOWER DECORATIVE PLASTIC COVER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NON-RECLINING FRONTSEATS.SYSTEM: INTERIOR; FRONT SEAT BELTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF SEAT BELT IS CUT DURING IMPACT, FRONT PASSENGERSWILL NO LONGER BE PROTECTED BY SAFETY BELT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN PERSONALINJURY.NOTE: UNTIL THE DEFECT CAN BE CORRECTED, SEAT BELTS SHOULD BE USED AS THEY DOAFFORD SOME PROTECTION.
3. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY ALLOW TWISTED WEBBING TO ENTER THE RETRACTOR HOUSING AND JAM THE RETRACTOR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A JAMMED RETRACTOR WOULD INTERFERE WITH WEBBING RETRACTION AND WITHDRAWAL. THIS WILL DISCOURAGE SEAT BELT USAGE.
What could happen:
The fix: A CLIP WILL BE INSERTED INTO THE RETRACTOR HOUSING WEBBING TO PREVENT JAMMING.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1983 ESCORT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 85V067000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
Summary: REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY ALLOW TWISTED WEBBING TO ENTER THE RETRACTOR HOUSING AND JAM THE RETRACTOR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A JAMMED RETRACTOR WOULD INTERFERE WITH WEBBING RETRACTION AND WITHDRAWAL. THIS WILL DISCOURAGE SEAT BELT USAGE.
Consequence:
Remedy: A CLIP WILL BE INSERTED INTO THE RETRACTOR HOUSING WEBBING TO PREVENT JAMMING.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH FLOOR MOUNTED REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS. SYSTEM: REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS.
4. Latches / locks
What's wrong, in plain English: Doors, hood or trunk may open unexpectedly. DOOR LOCK PILLARS COULD DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS FROM NORMAL USAGE OF DOOR, AT THE POINT WHERE DOOR LATCH STRIKER REINFORCEMENTS ARE ATTACHED.
What could happen:
The fix: ANY DAMAGED LOCK PILLARS WILL BE REPAIRED AND REINFORCEMENTS WILL BE INSTALLED BETWEEN THE DOOR LATCH STRIKER AND LOCK PILLARS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1983 ESCORT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 83V063000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Summary: DOOR LOCK PILLARS COULD DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS FROM NORMAL USAGE OF DOOR, AT THE POINT WHERE DOOR LATCH STRIKER REINFORCEMENTS ARE ATTACHED.
Consequence:
Remedy: ANY DAMAGED LOCK PILLARS WILL BE REPAIRED AND REINFORCEMENTS WILL BE INSTALLED BETWEEN THE DOOR LATCH STRIKER AND LOCK PILLARS.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES; TWO DOOR.SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; DOOR LOCK PILLARS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY. IN DRIVING OVER ROUGHROADS THE DOOR COULD OPEN, ALLOWING PASSENGER TO FALL FROM VEHICLE AND BECOMEINJURED.
5. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. DURING A CRASH BARRIER TEST, THE RUBBER HOSE CONNECTING THE FUEL TANK AND THE METAL FILLER PIPE VENT TUBE WAS CUT, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. THE INVOLVED VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY".
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL INSTALL A BRACE BETWEEN THE RIGHT SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL AND THE BODY SIDE RAIL TO IMPROVE FUEL TANK IMPACT RESISTANCE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1983 ESCORT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 82V088000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
Summary: DURING A CRASH BARRIER TEST, THE RUBBER HOSE CONNECTING THE FUEL TANK AND THE METAL FILLER PIPE VENT TUBE WAS CUT, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. THE INVOLVED VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY".
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A BRACE BETWEEN THE RIGHT SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL AND THE BODY SIDE RAIL TO IMPROVE FUEL TANK IMPACT RESISTANCE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: FUEL; FUEL TANK AND FILLER BRACKET.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FUEL LEAKAGE FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT COULD RESULT IN AVEHICLE FIRE AND INJURIES TO VEHICLE PASSENGERS.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1983 Ford Escort owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (2), Hydraulic (2), Electrical system (2), Unknown Or Other (1), Fuel system (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (7)
08/28/2003 · Unknown Or Other
THE CAR PURCHASED WAS FOR 1800 AND THE MECHANIC WHERE PURCHASED FROM TOLD ERIC THAT THE CAR WAS FULLY INSPECTED AND READY FOR THE ROAD. HIS GIRLFRIEND TEST DROVE THE CAR AND TOLD GREG THAT THE BRAKES DIDNT WORK HE SAID HE'D HAVE THEM LOOKED AT. HAD THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS AFTER HE SUPPOSEDLY RE-CHECKED THEM AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO MONRO MUFFLER TO BE RE-CHECKED…
06/07/1999 · Fuel system
POSSIBLE CARBURATOR FAILURE MAY HAVE CAUSED VEHICLE TO HESITATE WHILE DRIVING. NLM
03/06/1998 · Seat belts
ELECTRIC SEAT BELTS FAILED.
01/28/1997 · Brakes
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURIES.( NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE REPORT)
09/08/1996 · Electrical system · fire
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. (FIRST VEHICLE ON 601624, 601627)
05/20/1996 · Electrical system · fire
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY OWNER SMELLED SMOKE. DRIVER LIFTED HOOD AND WIRING HARNESS WAS ON FIRE NEAR FIREWALL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
05/14/1996 · Brakes
MASTER CYLINDER RIPPED LOOSE FROM FIREWALL DUE TO METAL FATIGUE, CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE/LOSS OF CONTROL. *SD