1986 Ford Escort vs 1988 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 | 1986 Ford Escort | 1988 Ford Escort |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 45 | 143 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 25 | 25 |
| Investigations | 7 | 5 |
| Crash reports | 2 | 6 |
| Fire reports | 18 | 57 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 22–34 | 24–32 |
| Median reported mileage | — | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Escort | Ford Escort |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 19 | 75 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 9 | 21 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 17 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 11 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 9 |
| Steering | 1 | 9 |
| Structure | 6 | 3 |
| Power Train | 1 | 7 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Electrical failures | 6 | 12 |
| Stalling | 5 | 8 |
1986 Ford Escort
1988 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.