Ford Escort 1981
Model Escort made in 1981 by Ford got 2 consumer complains, 4 investigations there are 10 recalls as well as 6 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference to seats. . Technical service bulletines regarding electrical system, power train and structure. The car had some investigations: engine and engine cooling, seats and vehicle speed control. There were some recalls concerningelectrical system, fuel system, gasoline and latches/locks/linkages.
Model 1981
Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | ||||||||||||||||
| 80V133000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | from 08/01/1980 to 09/01/1980 | V (Vehicle) | 7000 | 10/01/1980 | MFR | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 10/15/1980 | 12/09/1980 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Some of the involved vehicles were produced with an engine compartment wire assembly that may have been routed above the air conditioning suction hose. this hose may push up on the wiring harness causing it to contact the hood prop rod bracket attaching bolt. this could lead to penetration or chafing of the wiring insulation. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | ||||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, correct the wiring harness routing at no charge to owner. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with air conditioning.system: electrical; wiring harness, front underhood.consequences of defect: if an electrical short results, the wiring harness mayoverheat, creating the potential for a vehicle fire and personal injury topassengers. | |||||||||||||||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY | ||||||||||||||||
| 80V142000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | from 09/01/1980 to 10/01/1980 | V (Vehicle) | 11500 | 10/23/1980 | OVSC | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 11/04/1980 | 12/09/1980 | 571 | 301 | |||||
| Defect Summary | On certain vehicles, metal fasteners that were used to secure the carpeting to the floor pan may have accidentally penetrated the top of the fuel tank. this would result in a slight fuel leak. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | ||||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealer will inspect vehicles for penetration of the fuel tank by carpet fasteners. any leaking fuel tanks will be replaced and the floor pan will be sealed, without charge to owners. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Vehicle description: passenger vehicles.system: fuel; fuel tank.consequences of defect: fuelleakage may lead to a vehicle fire and personalinjury. | |||||||||||||||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY - FILLER PIPE AND CAP | ||||||||||||||||
| 81V092000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | from 08/01/1980 to 12/01/1980 | V (Vehicle) | 112000 | 08/14/1981 | MFR | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 07/22/1981 | 07/24/1981 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Some of the involved vehicles have an electrically ungrounded fuel inlet. these vehicles are subject to static charge accumulation at the fuel filler pipe opening, which can occur if these vehicles are refueled from an electrically ungrounded dispensing nozzle. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | ||||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | A grounding connection from the filler pipe inlet to the vehicle body and a static electricity suppression rod inside the filler pipe will be installed at no charge to owner. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Vehicle description: passenger vehicles.system: fuel; fuel inlet.consequences of defect: this static charge may generate a spark of staticelectricity which can ignite fuel vapor at the fuel pipe opening. if thevehicles fuel tank is either replaced or cleansed during repair, a spark ofstatic electricity generated further down the filler pipe may ignite fuel vaporinside the pipe. in either event, fire, personal injury and property damage mayresult. | |||||||||||||||
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - DOORS - LATCH | ||||||||||||||||
| 83V063000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | from 07/01/1980 to 03/01/1983 | V (Vehicle) | 610000 | 07/18/1983 | MFR | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 06/22/1983 | 07/08/1983 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Door lock pillars could develop fatigue cracks from normal usage of door, at the point where door latch striker reinforcements are attached. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | ||||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Any damaged lock pillars will be repaired and reinforcements will be installed between the door latch striker and lock pillars. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Vehicle description: passenger vehicles; two door.system: structure; door lock pillars.consequences of defect: door may not latch properly. in driving over roughroads the door could open, allowing passenger to fall from vehicle and becomeinjured. | |||||||||||||||
| SEAT BELTS | ||||||||||||||||
| 83V013000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | from 08/01/1980 to 06/01/1982 | V (Vehicle) | 245000 | 04/08/1983 | MFR | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 02/17/1983 | 02/23/1983 | 571 | 210 | |||||
| Defect Summary | The portion of the roof above frame (rail) to which the shoulder belt is anchored may have a slot that can compromise the strength of the shoulder belt anchor under certain severe loads. (the suspect area is not visible.) consequently, some vehicles included in this recall may not meet the 3000 pound anchorage strength requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 210, seat belt assembly anchorages. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | ||||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, reinforce the roof rail inner panel surrounding the drainage hole at no cost to owner. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Vehicle description: passenger vehicles; station wagon models only.system: interior systems; front upper torso restraint (shoulder belt)anchorage.consequences of defect: in very severe front end collisions, the protectionafforded front seat occupants may be reduced.note: this recall should in no way discourage the use of the belts prior tohaving the defect corrected. | |||||||||||||||
| SEATS | ||||||||||||||||
| 84V071000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | from 08/01/1980 to 08/01/1983 | V (Vehicle) | 261400 | 08/14/1984 | MFR | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 06/15/1984 | 06/20/1984 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Seat frame structure could sever front seat belts if vehicle is involved in an accident, depending on force of impact. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | ||||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealer will install a molded spacer between reinforcement plates and lower decorative plastic cover. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with non-reclining frontseats.system: interior; front seat belts.consequences of defect: if seat belt is cut during impact, front passengerswill no longer be protected by safety belt, which could result in personalinjury.note: until the defect can be corrected, seat belts should be used as they doafford some protection. | |||||||||||||||
| 84V085000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | from 07/01/1980 to 05/01/1981 | V (Vehicle) | 80034 | 08/13/1984 | ODI | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 07/18/1984 | 08/03/1984 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Screw that connects the seat back frame to the recliner mechanism may break. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | ||||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | The attachment screw on the drivers seat will be replaced by one of a larger diameter. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Vehicle description: passenger vehicles; station wagon models with front seatrecliners.system: interior; drivers seat back frame.consequences of defect: if the seat back is placed under rearward pressure, theseat back may suddenly fall to the horizontal positon without warning. if thisoccurs on the drivers seat, it may affect the drivers control of the vehicle,possibly resulting in an accident. | |||||||||||||||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | ||||||||||||||||
| 80V134000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | from 08/01/1980 to 10/01/1980 | V (Vehicle) | 27000 | 10/03/1980 | MFR | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 10/03/1980 | 12/09/1980 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | On certain vehicles, the right and left hand rear brake backing plate attachment bolts may not have been tightened to the correct specifications. backing plate bolts may not be able to withstand the loads experienced during truck shipment. if the bolts loosen from the spindle during operation, backing plate movement may result in weakening or premature wear of one or both rear brake tubes. this could lead to loss of brake fluid. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | ||||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealer will inspect and tighten the bolts to the proper specifications. rear brake tubes will be replaced, if necessary, at no charge to owner. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Vehicle description: passenger vehicles.system: service brakes; rear brake backing plate, attachment bolts.consequences of defect: loss of brake fluid would cause loss of brakingcapability on the rear brake adjacent to the broken tube and on the oppositeside front brake. although partial braking capability would remain, the vehiclestopping distance would be increased and an accident could result. if both rearbrake tubes fail, all hydraulic braking would be lost and loss of vehiclecontrol and an accident could occur.note: a loose backing plate may result in noticeable noise during vehicleoperation. | |||||||||||||||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST - VACUUM | ||||||||||||||||
| 81V084000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | from 06/01/1981 to 06/01/1981 | V (Vehicle) | 4338 | 06/26/1981 | MFR | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 07/07/1981 | 07/14/1981 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Some vehicles equipped with power brake boosters have front and rear shells that may have been improperly joined. improperly joined booster shells may separate either partially or completely during brake application. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | ||||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | All defective boosters will be replaced at no charge to owner. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with power brake boosters.system: service brakes; power brake booster.consequences of defect: this separation may result in total loss of the servicebrakes without prior warning, loss of vehicle control, and possibly, anaccident.note: owner is advised to contact dealer immediately to find out whether thedefect was corrected prior to vehicle purchase. the vehicle should not bedriven until the problem is corrected. | |||||||||||||||
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | ||||||||||||||||
| 81V045000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | from 08/01/1979 to 02/01/1981 | V (Vehicle) | 21000 | 05/13/1981 | MFR | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 04/06/1981 | 05/12/1981 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Fuel may possibly travel through the speed control vacuum lines and into the speed control actuation device (serv0). the fuel can damage seals in the actuator servo and allow vacuum leaks. such a leak could activate the speed control without any action on the part of the driver. this would cause the vehicle to gradually accelerate. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | ||||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | The vacuum check valve and hose assembly will be replaced and the speed control servo will be replaced if it has been damaged. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with speed control option.system: equipment; speed control.consequences of defect: increase in vehicle speed can be controlled by applyingthe brakes, however releasing the brakes will allow the problem to recur. ifthe driver is inattentive to vehicle speed, the condition could result in anaccident. | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||||
| 98246 | 12/07/1998 | 604059 | Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( f8az - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals. *yc | 03/16/1999 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||||
| 9888 | 04/27/1998 | 601238 | Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart. *yc | 07/10/1998 | |
| 97511 | 03/03/1997 | 51945 | Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts. *jd | 07/17/1997 | |
| STRUCTURE - BODY | |||||
| 95161 | 08/01/1995 | 45947 | Sheet metal-roof panel and drip rail replacement- seam sealer application procedure.*sd | 04/25/1996 | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | |||||
| 01157 | 08/06/2001 | 623988 | Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *slc | 10/31/2001 | |
| RC INDEX | 02/01/1983 | X | 69012 | Unknown | 11/01/1995 |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | ||||||
| DP84009 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 01/16/1984 | 07/17/1984 | TIMING CHAIN FAILURE | ||
| Timing chain failure | ||||||
| SEATS | ||||||
| EA83013 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 03/23/1983 | 01/26/1989 | FRONT SEATBACK FAILURE | 84V085000 | |
| There is no summary currently available | ||||||
| DP85009 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 01/29/1985 | 02/27/1985 | FAILURE OF SEAT BACK SECURING BOLTS | ||
| Failure of seat back securing bolts | ||||||
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - LINKAGES | ||||||
| DP84017 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 05/30/1984 | 09/10/1984 | STALLING AND CARBURETOR MALFUNCTIONS | ||
| Stalling and carburetor malfunctions | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEATS | |||
| 1 | |||
| Seat frame and slide rail supports failed. | |||
| 1 | |||
| The spring that support the seat cushions were cutting through the material around their attachment holes. | |||