Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 1988 Ford Escort: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
81 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V071000.
26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
11 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 87V139000.
10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on September 4, 1987. The campaign covers an estimated 3,600,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on April 25, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 7,900,000 vehicles across all affected models.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
REAR SEAT BELT COMPLIANCE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
REAR SAFETY BELT FIT. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINT. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
PASSIVE BELT FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
SAFETY BELT D-RING. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.