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1991 Ford Escort

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 Escort.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1991 Ford Escort is a compact passenger car that sits within Ford’s widely sold Escort platform, a line that has long balanced affordability with practicality. That model year drew a moderate share of owner complaints—393 in total—with the electrical system topping the list and the vehicle receiving four separate recalls, a figure that aligns with the broader 1990‑2002 complaint trend for the series. In the context of the Escort’s reliability history, the 1991 model falls near the middle of the spectrum, a period that saw its most problematic year in 1995 and a notable decline to a low of 90 complaints by 2002, indicating that while the 1991 Escort was not free from issues, it did not reach the peak of the series’ reported problems.

Model year2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1991

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Thermostat

RT1106

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	170.1 in
Overall width	66.9 in
Overall height	52.4 in
Wheelbase	98.4 in
Curb weight	2350 lb

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Escort of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.0–8.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.00 sec — 1991 GT 3-door Hatchback

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1991	GT 3-door Hatchback 1.8L I-4	8.00 sec	16.30 sec	127 hp	FWD
1991	GT 3-door Hatchback 1.8L I-4	8.10 sec	16.40 sec	127 hp	FWD
1992	LX 3-door Hatchback 1.9L I-4	9.80 sec	17.50 sec	88 hp	FWD
1993	RS Cosworth 3-door Hatchback (Euro) 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.00 sec	14.60 sec	227 hp	AWD
1995	RS Cosworth 3-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-4	4.90 sec	13.60 sec	227 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi.

Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 7,500 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 mi	Body Fasteners (torque) · Frame Fasteners (torque)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Fuel Filter (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1991 model year represents a significant escalation in the Escort's federal record, with complaints tripling from 1990's baseline of 130 to 393, accompanied by a doubling of recalls (4 versus 2), investigations (6 versus 3), and technical service bulletins (63 versus 30). While 1992 shows a partial retreat to 193 complaints, the 1991 data initiates a volatile pattern that continues throughout the generation with subsequent peaks in 1993, 1995, and 1997. This year marks the first major surge in the arc, with the data showing 114 electrical system complaints, 70 seat belt issues, and notably 67 fire-related complaints—though the data does not specify root causes. Given these metrics, 1991 falls at the beginning of the generation's trouble curve rather than in a stable mature period. The concentration of fuel system complaints (57) and power train issues (32) further distinguishes this year from the quieter 1990 baseline. Prospective buyers should avoid this model year, as it exhibits the highest complaint volume of the early generation years alongside elevated safety investigations and fire reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

393

Owner complaints

22 involved a crash · 67 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90’91’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 393 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System114

Seat Belts70

Fuel System, Gasoline57

Power Train32

Vehicle Speed Control16

Exterior Lighting14

Engine & Engine Cooling14

Steering11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

93V057000Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control ModuleReported 15/04/1993

THE ROLL PINS SECURING THE IGNITION LOCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN HOUSING CAN SEPARATE OR MOVE OUT OF POSITION. Remedy: IF ONE OR BOTH OF THE ROLL PINS ARE MISSING OR NOT FULLY INSERTED, THE IGNITION LOCK HOUSING WILL BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE DOOR-LOCKS AND THE LIFTGATE OR DECK-LID LOCKS SO THAT…

94E019000Suspension:FrontReported 02/06/1994

THE OFFSET TOE ADJUSTING PIN CAN FRACTURE UNDER CONDITIONS SUCH AS TORSIONAL LOADS, FLEXING MOTION, IMPACT LOADS, AND OVERTORQUING. Remedy: DANA WILL PAY FOR REPLACEMENT AND LABOR COSTS OF THE ADJUSTMENT PIN WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE INSTALLING FACILITY AND THE VEHICLE OWNER. THESE PINS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY A FORD…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 63 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
16714	2003-03-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	FOR ALL OBDI VEHICLES THAT USE THE .5V DPFE SENSOR, A 1.0V SENSOR IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY…
01194	2001-10-01	Electrical System	THIS ARITLCE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON REPLACEMENT OF OLD STYLE HOOD LAMP SWITCH TO…
01156	2001-08-06	Visibility	SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
01157	2001-08-06	Unknown Or Other	INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
14993	2001-06-01	Suspension	SOME VEHICLES PRODUCED THROUGH JULY 1999 MAY EXHIBIT REAR SUSPENSION SPRING FAILURE WITH…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Escort. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Thermostat RT1106

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules

Frequently asked

Does the 1991 Escort have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.