1990 Ford Escort: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Ford Escort: 2 recalls, 101 owner complaints and up to 32 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #89V174000 · 1989 · 3,300 vehicles
What's wrong: Special primer that promotes the bonding of a urethane adhesive to the glass was not applied to the windshields before installation.
Why it matters: Omission of the primer could cause the windshield not tobe properly adhered to body, and vehicle would not comply with fmvss 212.
The fix: Remove and properly install windshield using special primer.
Electrical Vehicle recall #96V071000 · 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Why it matters: This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
The fix: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 42 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (46): the most common themes are fire / smoke (32), electrical failure (10), stalls / loses power (5).
- Engine & cooling (12): the most common themes are fire / smoke (5).
- Seat belts (10): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Fuel system (9): the most common themes are leaks (5), fire / smoke (4).
The 1990 Ford Escort has 101 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 14 Escort model years for complaints (well below the 249 average). Complaints peaked in 1996 (40 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 79,893 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (327 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 L 4-cyl | Manual 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 38 | 32 | Regular |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 33 | 27 | Regular |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 29 | 26 | Regular |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Ford Escort.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Ford Escort have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1990 Ford Escort. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Ford Escort problems?
Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (46), engine & cooling (12), seat belts (10).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Ford Escort get?
EPA ratings run up to 32 mpg combined (1.9 L, Manual 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Ford Escort repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.