Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 647 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Ford Escort, and it carries 5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 134 | 21% |
| Fuel system | 123 | 19% |
| Air bags | 66 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 43 | 7% |
| Suspension | 36 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 36 | 6% |
| Power train | 33 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 24 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 15 | 2% |
| Steering | 14 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THE PASSIVE SEAT RESTRAINT DOES NOT RETRACT FULLY. THIS OCCURS WHEN YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. IT HAS TO BE MANUALLY DISCONNECTED. WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE ON IT HESITATES BEFORE RETRACTING TO DRIVERS BODY. THE CAR IS
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL WAS OBSERVED LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEP
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR EMITTING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHIC
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
STRONG ORDER OF GAS FROM GAS TANK, TOOK IT TO MECHANIC, SAID I HAVE A HOLE IN GAS TANK... DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT , CLICKING NOISE, WIRES CAME OUT , HANGING, NOW BELT IS STUCK...HAD TO REMOVE FUSE, TO STOP LOUD ANNOYING
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT QUIT WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACK, THE CABLE WAS HANGING DOWN, GOT GREASE ALLOVER, INCLUDING ON ME. DISCONNECTED EVERYTHING ,AND THROUGH IN GARBAGE. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL TANK LEAKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE BRAKE LINE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1995 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.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
TWO BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM MODULE TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE MISSING. IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT, THE MODULE CAN COME OUT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Risk: THIS WOULD NOT RESTRAIN THE PASSENGER AND WOULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL AND TORQUE TO SPECIFICATION THE MOUNTING BOLTS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ARIZONA. CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENTS. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT HEAT SHIELD LOCATION OR FUNCTION, AS THE ATTACHMENTS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP THE SHIELD IN PLACE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS INSTALLED IN
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO OR WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANTS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN NEVADA, FLORIDA, HAWAII, TEXAS, CALIFORNIA, LOUISIANA, GEORGIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, MISSISSIPPI, OKLAHOMA, ALABAMA AND ARKANSAS. CRACKS CA
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENTS. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT HEAT SHIELD LOCATION OR FUNCTION, AS THE ATTACHMENTS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP THE SHIELD IN PLACE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS INSTALLED IN
| Reliability raw | 70 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 44 | below average |
| Efficiency | 51 | average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 647 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 134 of them (21%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 70/100 (good) 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 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. 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.