1994 Ford Escort: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1994 Ford Escort: 1 recall, 279 owner complaints and up to 29 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #94V218000 · 1994 · 240 vehicles
What's wrong: The driver side air bag module can have an inadequately welded inflator canister.
Why it matters: In the event of a collision, the weld seam can separate, causing the air bag to fail to deploy properly and hot gases to be expelled from the back of the steering wheel. This can result in an increased risk of personal injury from the hot gases and the air bag failure.
The fix: Dealers will install a new air bag module.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 16 mention a fire, 45 injuries and 5 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Seat belts (79): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (54): the most common themes are fails to deploy (19), warning light on (6).
- Electrical (30): the most common themes are electrical failure (14), fire / smoke (9), stalls / loses power (6).
- Engine & cooling (30): the most common themes are noise or vibration (5), fire / smoke (4), stalls / loses power (3).
The 1994 Ford Escort has 279 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 14 Escort model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 249). Complaints peaked in 1996 (48 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 82,937 miles. Neighboring years: 1993 (379 complaints, 1 recalls), 1995 (576 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 34 | 29 | Regular |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 32 | 26 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 29 | 25 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | 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 1994 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 1994 Ford Escort have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1994 Ford Escort, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. 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 1994 Ford Escort problems?
Owners have filed 279 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are seat belts (79), airbags (54), electrical (30).
What gas mileage does the 1994 Ford Escort get?
EPA ratings run up to 29 mpg combined (1.9 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1994 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.