Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 130 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 Ford Escort, and it carries 2 recalls. 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 | 54 | 42% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 15 | 12% |
| Fuel system | 11 | 8% |
| Seat belts | 9 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 5% |
| Power train | 5 | 4% |
| Steering | 5 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 2% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2% |
| Seats | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WHILE TRAVELING ON A FREEWAY AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 65 MILES PER HOUR, I ENDED UP IN A SKID ON DRY PAVEMENT. I DON'T REMEMBER HOW I GOT INTO THE SKID DUE TO HEAD INJURIES RECEIVED IN THE RESULTING ACCIDENT. THE CAR SKIDDE
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
1990 FORD ESCORT WITH 1.9 L ENGINE, THROTTLE-BODY FUEL INJ, AND MAN 5-SPEED TRANSM. APPROX 8 HWY MILES FROM HOME, PASSING THRU SMALL TOWN WITH 25-MPH LIMIT, SIGNAL LIGHT, AND RR CROSSING, THE FORD'S ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT GAS PUMP ISLAND, IGNITION OFF. ENGINE COMPARTMENT ERRUPTED INTO FLAMES. ALL COMPONENTS CONTAINED WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARMENT OTHER THAN METAL COMPONENTS COMPLETELY MELTED OR BURNED. VEHICLE W
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE CAR STARTS FINE WHEN COLD. AFTER DRIVING TO TOWN SOMETIMES WON'T START RIGHT OFF,SOMETIMES IT DOES. MOSTOF THE TIME I HAVE TO TRY AND TRY.SOME TIMES WHEN IT DOES START IT REVS UP THEN DIES. THEN TRY TO START AGAIN, S
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHILE DRIVING AT 25MPH ON FLAT SURFACE AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE SHUT OFF. CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
REAR DOORS HAVE BEEN INOPERABLE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. RECENTLY, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN CONSUMER BEING UNABLE TO GET THE DOORS OPEN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
WHEN DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND WITHOUT DRIVER DEPRESSING ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS CAUSED UNWANTED AND UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEA
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1990 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.
SPECIAL PRIMER THAT PROMOTES THE BONDING OF A URETHANE ADHESIVE TO THE GLASS WAS NOT APPLIED TO THE WINDSHIELDS BEFORE INSTALLATION.
Risk: OMISSION OF THE PRIMER COULD CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD NOT TOBE PROPERLY ADHERED TO BODY, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 212.
Fix: REMOVE AND PROPERLY INSTALL WINDSHIELD USING SPECIAL PRIMER.
| Reliability raw | 83 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 44 | below average |
| Efficiency | 47 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 130 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 54 of them (42%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 83/100 (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 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1990 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 73/100. 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.