- The problem
- The diaphragm material of the mechanical fuel pumps may deteriorate and allow the diaphragm to rupture.
- The risk
- Fuel pumped through the ruptured diaphragm and out ofthe vent opening could result in a fire.
- The fix
- Install new mechanical fuel pumps with improved diaphragm material and revise wiring for electric fuel pump circuits.
Vehicle safety record
1983 Ford Escort Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1983 Ford Escort have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in December 1988 for the fuel pump.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Escort year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1983 Ford Escort recalls 5
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
- Rear seat belt retractors may allow twisted webbing to enter the retractor housing and jam the retractor. Consequence of defect: a jammed retractor would interfere with webbing retraction and withdrawal. This will discourage seat belt usage.
- The fix
- A clip will be inserted into the retractor housing webbing to prevent jamming.
- 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
- During a crash barrier test, the rubber hose connecting the fuel tank and the metal filler pipe vent tube was cut, resulting in fuel leakage. The involved vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "Fuel system integrity".
- The fix
- Dealer will install a brace between the right side rear quarter panel and the body side rail to improve fuel tank impact resistance.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1983 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 years1983 Ford Escort vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 Ford Escort | 0 | 5 | D | |
| 1983 Ford Bronco | 4 | 2 | 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 1983 Ford Escort
Does the 1983 Ford Escort have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 1983 Ford Escort: fuel pump (December 1988); rear / other (May 1985); seats (June 1984); latch (June 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 1983 Ford Escort had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1983 Ford Escort a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 32 out of 100 (grade D: 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 1983 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