1987 Ford Escort
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1987 Ford Escort is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 190 on record.
1987 Ford Escort at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1987 Ford Escort recalls 3
THE FORWARD OUTBOARD PEDESTAL OF THE SEAT TRACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURE.
Fix: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT ON ALL MODELS AND A NEW SEAT TRACK AS NECESSARY
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Fix: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
LUG NUTS COULD GALL AND POSSIBLY SEIZE ON THE WHEEL STUDS WITHOUT PROVIDING ADEQUATE CLAMPING LOAD ON THE WHEELS.
Fix: REPLACE WHEEL LUG NUTS AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE WHEELS AND WHEEL STUDS.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1987 Ford Escort common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1987 Ford Escort MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 5 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1987 Ford Escort costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1987 Ford Escort — ranges cover the 7 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 7
FUEL PUMP FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #PE91025 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Dec 1990 · closed Apr 1991SAFETY BELT D-RING Closed
NHTSA #PE90063 · Seat Belts · opened Mar 1990 · closed Jul 1990FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINT Closed
WE HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS REPORTS WHICH ALLEGE A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM. ADDITIONAL REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED TO RESTRAIN/ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE OCCUPANT DURING AN ACCIDENT
NHTSA #EA90008 · Seat Belts · opened Dec 1989 · closed Dec 1991PASSIVE BELT FAILURE Closed
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NHTSA #PE89143 · Seat Belts · opened Jul 1989 · closed Dec 1989REAR SAFETY BELT FIT Closed
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NHTSA #EA88038 · Seat Belts · opened Aug 1988 · closed May 1990HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILURE Closed
SUMMARY: HEADLAMP SWITCH RETAINING BEZEL CRACKS CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO REMAIN ON AND OCCASIONALLY FLICKER OFF. FORD HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, ARTICLE # 87-11-8, TO REPLACE THE FAULTY BEZEL WITH AN IMPROVED PART.CONCLUSIONS: THE PE SHOULD BE CLOSED IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND.===
NHTSA #PE88046 · Exterior Lighting · opened Apr 1988 · closed Jul 1988REAR SEAT BELT COMPLIANCE Closed
REAR SEAT BELT COMPLIANCE
NHTSA #DP88007 · Seat Belts · opened Jan 1988 · closed Aug 1988An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 24
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 24.
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
Bulletin 01156 · Visibility · Aug 2001INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
Bulletin 01157 · Aug 2001CONCERNS WITH PREMATURE FAILURE OCCURING ON THE 1.9L MOTORCRAFT REMANUFACTURED LONGBLOCK ASSEMBLY AND SHORTBLOCK ASSEMBLY DUE TO INGESTION OF FOREIGN OBJECTS REMAINING IN THE TRANSFERRED INTAKE SYSTEM FROM THE ORIGINAL FAILED ENGINE. *JB
Bulletin 00188 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2000INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
Bulletin 0015 · Power Train · Jan 2000SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT
Bulletin 99222 · Electrical System · Oct 1999INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT
Bulletin 99196 · Equipment · Sep 1999INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT
Bulletin 99152 · Power Train · Jul 1999FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC
Bulletin 98246 · Electrical System · Dec 1998INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC
Bulletin 9888 · Power Train · Apr 1998A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC
Bulletin 9874 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 1998Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the ESCORT. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 4
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1987 Ford Escort. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Seats And Restraints
THE FORWARD OUTBOARD PEDESTAL OF THE SEAT TRACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURE. FRACTURE OF THIS PEDESTAL WOULD PERMIT A LIMITED DEGREE OF ROCKING MOTION OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT ASSEMBLY UPON ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. BREAKAGE OF THE BRACKET COULD, POTENTIALLY, AFFECT THE DRIVER'S CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. CORRECTION: A REIN…
Transport Canada #1989155 · Nov 1989Emissions
THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. THE CENTRAL FUEL INJECTOR (CFI) MAY OPERATE RICH DURING CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS. CORRECTION: IMPROVED CFI FUEL INJECTORS WILL BE INSTALLED AND IDLE SPEED WILL BE ADJUSTED.
Transport Canada #1989099 · Jul 1989Fuel System
ON VEHICLES WITH EFI OR CFI, THE SPRING-LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING USED TO CONNECT THE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES TO THE EFI FUEL RAILS OR TO THE CFI THROTTLE BODIES AS WELL AS OTHER FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS NEAR THE DASH PANELS ON SOME VEHICLES, COULD DISENGAGE DURING VEHICLE USE. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, LOSS OF FUEL WILL RESULT, PROVIDING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE. CORRECTION:…
Transport Canada #1987098 · Sep 1987Suspension
BECAUSE OF THE FRICTIONAL HEAT GENERATED BY THE HIGH SPEED LUG NUT INSTALLATION PROCESS, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE STAINLESS STEEL NUTS TO GALL AND POSSIBLY SEIZE ON THE WHEEL STUDS WITHOUT PROVIDING ADEQUATE CLAMPING LOAD ON THE WHEELS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE WHEEL STUDS TO FRACTURE IN SERVICE CREATING A RISK OF A WHEEL SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE WITH LITTLE FOREWARNING. COR…
Transport Canada #1987047 · May 1987Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Ford Escort
Ford Escort may refer to one of several vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company:Ford Escort (Europe), a vehicle manufactured by Ford Europe from 1968 to 2002 Ford Escort RS Cosworth, sports and rally version of the fifth generation European Escort Ford Escort WRC, a rally car based on the Ford Escort RS Cosworth Ford Escort, a compact car manufactured for the North American market from 1980 to 2003 Ford Escort (China), a Ford Focus-based compact car for the Chinese market from 2015 to 2023 Ford Escort, a variant of the Ford Squire built and marketed in the United Kingdom from 1955 to 1961
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
1987 Ford Escort vehicles on record
1987 Ford EscortWF0BXXGCABHD06914
1987 Ford EscortWF0NXXGCANHE14644
1987 Ford EscortWF0AXXGCAAHE28395
1987 Ford EscortWF0BXXGCABHK83515
1987 Ford EscortWF0AXXGCAAHY87386
1987 Ford EscortWF0AXXGCAAHM18222
1987 Ford EscortWF0BXXGCABHJ57569
1987 Ford EscortWF0BXXGCABHM18806
1987 Ford EscortWF0AXXGCAAHE19708
1987 Ford EscortWF0AXXGCAAHK76562
1987 Ford EscortWF0AXXGCAAHU66945
1987 Ford EscortWF0BXXGCABHL62034
1987 Ford EscortWF0AXXGCAAHL54610
1987 Ford EscortWF0AXXGCAAHY92641
1987 Ford EscortWF0AXXGCAAHC51436
1987 Ford EscortWF0NXXGCANHY87155
1987 Ford EscortWF0AXXGCAAHE29377
1987 Ford EscortWF0BXXGCABHU90283
1987 Ford EscortWF0BXXGCABHK69552
1987 Ford EscortWF0BXXGCABHM18629
1987 Ford EscortWF0AXXGCAAHK74938
1987 Ford EscortWF0AXXGCAAHK76619
1987 Ford EscortWF0NXXGCANHD10244
1987 Ford EscortWF0BXXGCABHL42374