THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
The 1990 Ford Escort has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 7,903,300 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 128 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
SPECIAL PRIMER THAT PROMOTES THE BONDING OF A URETHANE ADHESIVE TO THE GLASS WAS NOT APPLIED TO THE WINDSHIELDS BEFORE INSTALLATION.
OMISSION OF THE PRIMER COULD CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD NOT TOBE PROPERLY ADHERED TO BODY, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 212.
REMOVE AND PROPERLY INSTALL WINDSHIELD USING SPECIAL PRIMER.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Vehicle was parked at gas pump island, ignition off. Engine compartment errupted into flames. All components contained within the engine comparment other than metal components completely melted or burned. Vehicle was manually pushed away from gas pump island while ablaze, then extinguished by…”
“The car starts fine when cold. After driving to town sometimes won't start right off,sometimes it does. Mostof the time I have to try and try.some times when it does start it revs up then dies. Then try to start again, sometime the same thing sometime will start. When started it runs just fine. *ak”
“While traveling about 55mph on the highway vehicle stalled without prior warning.*ak”
“While driving at 25mph on flat surface and with no warning vehicle shut off. Consumer had to pull over. Dealer notified.*ak”
“When driving at 50 mph the vehicle suddenly accelerated without prior warning, and without driver depressing on accelerator pedal. This caused unwanted and unexpected acceleration. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer unable to determine the cause. Please provide any further details.*ak”
“Vehicle was inside of a work shop, and noticed that there was a dent inside of tire. He could put a print depression size of a dimple. Dealership is aware of problem. *ak”
“1990 ford escort with 1.9 l engine, throttle-body fuel inj, and man 5-speed transm. Approx 8 hwy miles from home, passing thru small town with 25-mph limit, signal light, and rr crossing, the ford's engine suddenly revved to incredibly high rpm's. Frightened, I immediately pushed in the clutch. No…”
“This was an original part that failed and caught on fire. It burned the part itself up, the wiring, and stuff under the dash. This could have been fatal as this part is located inside the steering wheel. Has there been a recall on this part. I do not have the vin with me at work. I will get it…”
ELECTRICAL FIRES IN THE STEERING COLUMN.
There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1990 Ford Escort as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.