Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System:ignition:switch — runs 2.3× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
327Complaints
4Recalls
20Crashes
61Fires
16Injured
2Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Electrical System:ignition:switch (15% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Electrical System:ignition:switch complaints here are 2.3× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Electrical System:ignition:switch
49 · 15%
Recalled
Recall 93V057000
Seat Belts
46 · 14.1%
not available
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
24 · 7.3%
Recalled
Recall 92V117000
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
21 · 6.4%
Recalled
Recall 92V117000
Electrical System:ignition
20 · 6.1%
Recalled
Recall 93V057000
Power Train:automatic Transmission
17 · 5.2%
not available
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 327 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER MAY DISENGAGE FROM THESTEERING COLUMN HOUSING WHICH COULD CAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN TO LOCK UP,RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
THIS COULD CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK AT THE WIDE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION AND RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL WITH THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
SHOULD A CRACK DEVELOP, FUEL VAPOR CAN ESCAPE FROM THETANK WHEN THE TANK IS FULL, AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACK.FUEL LEAKS CAN RESULT IN FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHEN IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED.OWNER NOTES THAT DEALER NOTED VEHICLE TRIED TO START BY ITSELF WITH IGNITION TURNED OFF.”NHTSA complaint 817332 — filed 10/21/1997 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
“POWER DOOR LOCKS DON'T WORK PROPERLY. ALSO, IGNITION LOCK MOVES AROUND AND KEY DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY.”NHTSA complaint 604103 — filed 10/21/1997 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
“WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE CAR OFF THE CYCLE COME APART FROM THE CAR, SOMETIMES THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION .”NHTSA complaint 809152 — filed 02/20/1997 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Ford Escort?
Electrical system:ignition:switch issues are the most-reported category, cited in 49 of 327 NHTSA complaints (15%), followed by seat belts (46), fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump (24), fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1991 Ford Escort have?
327 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 20 involved a crash, 61 involved a fire, and 16 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.
Does the 1991 Ford Escort have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 93V057000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1991 Ford Escort's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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