1989 Chevrolet Cavalier 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 | 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier | 1989 Ford Escort |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 43 | 152 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1 | 27 |
| Investigations | 2 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 2 | 9 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 60 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–26 | 24–32 |
| Median reported incident mileage | — | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Cavalier | Ford Escort |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 | 64 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 10 | 22 |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 19 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 12 |
| Power Train | 5 | 8 |
| Steering | 5 | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 9 |
| Seats | 3 | 6 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 0 | 12 |
| Electrical failures | 0 | 12 |
1989 Chevrolet Cavalier
1989 Ford Escort
Compare all Chevrolet Cavalier vs Ford Escort years →
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.