Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 174 complaints with NHTSA about the 1989 Ford Escort, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 65 | 37% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 23 | 13% |
| Seat belts | 19 | 11% |
| Fuel system | 12 | 7% |
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 5% |
| Seats | 6 | 3% |
| Power train | 5 | 3% |
| Steering | 5 | 3% |
| Wheels | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD ESCORT. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE SHE WAS REAR-ENDED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO HER HEAD AREA. SHE MENTIONED SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELTS AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
1989 FORD ESCORT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE AND ONCE HE/SHE PULLED OVER, THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
1989 FORD ESCORT HATCHBACK - A PASSENGER EXITING THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR SEAT STEPPED ON AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE CARPET WHICH CAUSED THE +12V AND GROUND WIRES TO SHORT TOGETHER. THIS CONNECTOR IS PAR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED ALTERNATOR. ALSO, THE SECOND ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE AT THE GAS PUMP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE BLAZE. CONSU
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
BATTERY CHARGING LIGHT GOING ON & OFF AT TIMES. ALSO ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED FUEL GAUGE WILL REGISTER ABOVE FULL & AT SAME TIME TEMPERATURE. GAUGE GOES UP TO MAXIMUM. NEITHER BEING CLOSE TO BE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MHTSA#92-V-117-000:FATIGUE CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN TUBE AND THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER,THIS VEHICLE WAS N
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 1989 FORD ESCORT SHE TURNED L TO PULL INTO A DRIVE WAY AND SHE SMELLED SMOKE. SHE ONLY GOT A FEW YARDS AND THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. I DID CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY, BUT SINCE THE C
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN HE PLACED THE KEY INSIDE OF THE IGNITION. TS
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1989 Ford Escort. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 44 | below average |
| Efficiency | 55 | average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 174 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 65 of them (37%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1989 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.