1988 Ford Escort vs 1989 Ford Escort
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1988 Ford Escort | 1989 Ford Escort |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 143 | 152 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 25 | 27 |
| Investigations | 5 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 6 | 9 |
| Fire reports | 57 | 60 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 24–32 | 24–32 |
| Median reported incident mileage | — | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Escort | Ford Escort |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 75 | 64 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 21 | 22 |
| Seat Belts | 17 | 19 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 9 | 12 |
| Exterior Lighting | 11 | 9 |
| Steering | 9 | 7 |
| Power Train | 7 | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 9 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Electrical failures | 12 | 12 |
| Stalling | 8 | 12 |
1988 Ford Escort
1989 Ford Escort
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Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.