1991 Ford Escort reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 1991 Ford Escort — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 413
- on record
- Top problem area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
- 49 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 0
- none on record
- Reported harm
- 22 reported crashes · 21 injuries · 3 deaths · 70 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#1,272
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Ford median
+76
median 338 across 514 Ford records
Vs 1989-1993
+230
median 183 complaints in 231 records
Top component share
17%
Electrical System: 69 complaints
What owners report fails — 1991 Ford Escort
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH 49
- SEAT BELTS 46
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP 24
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY 21
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION 20
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 1991 Ford Escort
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 1991 Ford Escort units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1991 Ford Escort reliable?
NHTSA has 413 consumer complaints on record for the 1991 Ford Escort. The most-reported problem area is electrical system:ignition:switch (49 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 1991 Ford Escort units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Ford Escort?
Owners most often report problems with: electrical system:ignition:switch (49), seat belts (46), fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump (24), fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (21). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 1991 Ford Escort?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.