- The problem
- Screw that connects the seat back frame to the recliner mechanism may break.
- The fix
- The attachment screw on the driver"s seat will be replaced by one of a larger diameter.
Vehicle safety record
1981 Ford Escort Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1981 Ford Escort have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 10 recalls, the latest in July 1984 for the seats.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Escort year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1981 Ford Escort recalls 10
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Seat frame structure could sever front seat belts if vehicle is involved in an accident, depending on force of impact.
- The fix
- Dealer will install a molded spacer between reinforcement plates and lower decorative plastic cover.
- The problem
- Door lock pillars could develop fatigue cracks from normal usage of door, at the point where door latch striker reinforcements are attached.
- The fix
- Any damaged lock pillars will be repaired and reinforcements will be installed between the door latch striker and lock pillars.
- The problem
- 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".
- The fix
- The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, reinforce the roof rail inner panel surrounding the drainage hole at no cost to owner.
- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- All defective boosters will be replaced at no charge to owner.
- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- The vacuum check valve and hose assembly will be replaced and the speed control servo will be replaced if it has been damaged.
- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, correct the wiring harness routing at no charge to owner.
- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- Dealer will inspect and tighten the bolts to the proper specifications. Rear brake tubes will be replaced, if necessary, at no charge to owner.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1981 Ford Escort yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Ford Escort: every year compared
All Escort years1981 Ford Escort vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 Ford Escort | 0 | 10 | F | |
| 1981 Ford Bronco | 2 | 1 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1981 Ford Escort
Does the 1981 Ford Escort have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 1981 Ford Escort: seats (July 1984); seats (June 1984); latch (June 1983); seat belts (February 1983) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1981 Ford Escort had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1981 Ford Escort a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 14 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Ford Escort year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Ford Escort years have the most complaints?
2001 (99), 2002 (88). See every Ford Escort year compared.
What should I do if my 1981 Ford Escort has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data