1985 Ford Escort vs 1986 Ford Escort
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1985 Ford Escort | 1986 Ford Escort |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 26 | 45 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 22 | 25 |
| Investigations | 8 | 7 |
| Crash reports | 1 | 2 |
| Fire reports | 9 | 18 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 23–40 | 22–34 |
| Median reported mileage | — | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Escort | Ford Escort |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 9 | 19 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 9 |
| Structure | 0 | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 1 |
| Power Train | 3 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 0 | 2 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Electrical failures | 0 | 6 |
| Stalling | 0 | 5 |
1985 Ford Escort
1986 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.