Complaints
199
Crashes
9
Fires
86
Injuries
9
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 1989 Ford Escort Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#135 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Fires:28
#211 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Fires:10
#310 complaints
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Avg mileage:120,000 mi
Fires:9
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1989 Ford Escort.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 35 | — | 28 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 11 | — | 10 | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 10 | — | 9 | 120,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 8 | — | 6 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 8 | 1 | — | 100,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 7 | — | 2 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 7 | — | 6 | 150,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 5 | — | 5 | 89,000 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 | — | 2 | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 4 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | 2 | — |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
35
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
28
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
10
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
9
Avg Miles
120,000
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,000
Electrical System:Ignition
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
150,000
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
89,000
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Webbing
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1989 Ford Escort. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Escort Years
1989 Ford Escort — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1989 Ford Escort reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1989 Ford Escort has 199 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical System:Ignition:Switch with 35 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1989 Ford Escort?
Top reported problems: Electrical System:Ignition:Switch (35 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (11 complaints); Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator (10 complaints, avg 120,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1989 Ford Escort?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 116,500 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1989 Ford Escort?
NHTSA complaints for the 1989 Ford Escort include 9 crash-related reports, 86 fire reports, 9 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1989 Ford Escort have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1989 Ford Escort as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1989 Ford Escort?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Escort reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1989 Ford Escort
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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