Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1984 Ford Escort. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗ENGINE:GASKETS
- Summary
- EXTERNAL CRACKS ABOVE THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER (1984 MODELS) OR ROCKER ARM COVER GASKETS SPLITTING (1985 MODELS) COULD ALLOW OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
- Consequence
- ENGINE OIL LEAKING ONTO A HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD COULDRESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
- Remedy
- REPLACE CRACKED CYLINDER HEADS (1984 MODELS); REPLACE ROCKER ARM COVER GASKETS (1985 MODELS).
BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:LINES:HOSE:NON-METALLIC
- Summary
- THE BRAKE LINE MAY BE POSITIONED TOO CLOSE TO AN ENGINE BRACKET. NORMAL ENGINE MOVEMENTS MAY CAUSE THE BRACKET TO RUB AGAINST THE BRAKE LINE.
- Remedy
- THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REROUTED IF NECESSARY.
INTERIOR SYSTEMS:RESTRAINT:BELT ANCHOR AND ATTACHM
- Summary
- THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE D-SHAPED RING FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ARE INADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE MATERIAL IN WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED. THE ATTACHMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ATTACHING HARDWARE TO IMPROVE THE STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (21)
21 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 21 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 11 | 52.4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 23.8% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 19% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 4.8% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 4.8% |
How 1984 compares with other Escort years
Best and worst Escort years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 1 | 10 |
| 1982 | 4 | 5 |
| 1983 | 7 | 5 |
| 1984 | 21 | 3 |
| 1985 | 26 | 3 |
| 1986 | 45 | 2 |
| 1987 | 56 | 3 |
| 1988 | 143 | 2 |
| 1989 | 152 | 1 |
| 1990 | 101 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 39 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,450
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 261 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 39 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 35 / 47 / 39 | $2,450 | 261 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 31 / 39 / 34 | $2,800 | 299 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 31 / 39 / 34 | $2,800 | 299 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 31 / 39 / 34 | $2,800 | 299 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 31 / 39 / 34 | $2,800 | 299 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual | 28 / 39 / 32 | $2,100 | 278 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual | 23 / 32 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual | 23 / 31 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual | 23 / 31 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual | 23 / 31 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 22 / 30 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 22 / 30 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 21 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 22 / 30 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 21 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 22 / 30 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 21 / 29 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | 21 / 27 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 21 / 30 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 21 / 29 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | 21 / 27 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 21 / 30 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | 21 / 26 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | 21 / 26 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | 21 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | 21 / 26 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | 21 / 26 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 | |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | 21 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1984 Escort for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1984 Ford Escort FAQ
How many recalls does the 1984 Ford Escort have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 89V095000 (engine), 84V123000 (brake), 83V134000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1984 Ford Escort problems?
Owners filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (11), Engine and engine cooling (5), Seat belts (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1984 Ford Escort get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 35 city, 47 highway and 39 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1984 Escort compare with other years?
Among the 1981–1990 Ford Escort model years at least five years old, the 1981 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1989 the most (152). The 1984 drew 21. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.