1988 Ford Escort
WF0AXXGCAAJY88617
Vehicle record for the 1988 Ford Escort (VIN WF0AXXGCAAJY88617). White, hatchback, gasoline. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year. Specifications, registration region and recall data.
No photo of this model yet1988 Ford Escort · White on the registration record
Should you buy it? Worth a look — but negotiate
Weighed from safety recalls, known problems and market price.
- 2 recall campaigns exist for this model year. Check this VIN on NHTSA.gov to confirm the repairs were done.
- Owners most often report electrical system trouble on this model — inspect it closely.
Full vehicle history report
Everything below is in the paid report for VIN WF0AXXGCAAJY88617, compiled live from NMVTIS and licensed providers the moment you unlock it. Not every vehicle has every record type — the report shows what is on file, and says so when nothing is. The 2 recall campaigns for this model year are shown further down.
📜 Title & ownership
- Title statusClean, salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood or lemon — from the national title database (NMVTIS)🔒
- Title brand historyEvery brand ever applied, by state, with what each one means🔒
- Title & registration recordsHow many times it has been titled, where, and the years-per-owner pace🔒
- Decode consistency checkThe provider's decode cross-checked against ours — a mismatch is a cloned-VIN warning sign🔒
🛞 Odometer
- Odometer timelineEvery reported reading with its date and state, drawn as a timeline🔒
- Rollback checkFlags any reading that goes backwards🔒
- Miles per yearThis car's pace against the US average🔒
💥 Damage, loss & theft
- Total-loss recordsInsurance total-loss declarations, with the reporting insurer type and date🔒
- Salvage & junk-yard recordsSalvage, junk and auction dispositions, including export flags🔒
- Theft screenActive and recovered theft records🔒
- Accident indicatorsDamage events reflected in title data (NMVTIS does not carry police crash reports)🔒
- Flood-exposure checkTitle activity in a disaster area soon after a major flood or hurricane🔒
💰 Liens & value
- Liens, impounds & exportOpen liens with the lender, tow/impound and export records🔒
- Market value for this exact carRetail adjusted for its mileage and state, trade-in, loan value, auction low/avg/high and retail by condition🔒
- DepreciationDrop from original MSRP, yearly rate and a one-year projection🔒
- Sticker vs dealer invoiceWhat it cost new, and what the dealer paid🔒
🧰 Factory warranty & equipment
- Remaining warrantyBasic, powertrain and rust coverage left, estimated from the first title date and odometer🔒
- Standard equipment & coloursWhat this trim came with from the factory, and the colours it was offered in🔒
🚨 Recalls on this VIN
- Per-VIN recall statusWhether each campaign has been repaired on THIS car, remedy availability, do-not-drive and stop-sale flags, dealer labour time🔒
History reports cover US-titled vehicles only. This car is registered in Ukraine, so title, salvage and odometer records from the US national title database (NMVTIS) don't apply to it. The registration record, specifications and recall data on this page cost nothing.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
🧾 Window sticker / build sheet → All 1988 Ford Escort data →
📋 All factory specifications on file8 more fields from the manufacturer's VIN record (NHTSA vPIC)
🏭 Manufacturing & other
Values are as reported by the manufacturer for this VIN pattern; blank or "not applicable" fields are omitted.
MPG & running costs
U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 1988 Ford Escort.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages. Actual mileage varies with trim and driving conditions.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1988 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 1988 Ford Escort — ranges cover the 5 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Canadian recalls 4
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1988 Ford Escort. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Electrical
A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN SWITCH.
Transport Canada #1995212 · Nov 1995Emissions
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9 LITRE ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES MAY RELEASE CARBON MONOXIDE EXHAUST EMISSIONS WHICH EXCEED THE REQUIREMENTS OF C.M.V.S.S 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. CORRECTION: EXHAUST SYSTEM CATALYST ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Transport Canada #1993165 · Dec 1993Seats 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 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 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.
Safety recall campaigns 2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA Campaign #96V071000 · 25/04/1996FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
NHTSA Campaign #87V139000 · 04/09/1987Note: recall data comes from the U.S. NHTSA and covers the US-market version of this model. A car registered in Ukraine may have different campaigns — check with the manufacturer's local importer.
These are NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year, last checked 14 Oct 2026. They don't show whether this particular car has had the repair done — check this VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.
We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on all 201 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1988 Ford Escort, here are the most-reported problem areas — and what to check before you buy.
💥 6 involved a crash 🔥 63 involved a fire 🚑 8 reported injuries
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
🔍 Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
🔍 Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 201
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1988 Ford Escort.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR HAS BEEN STALLING REGARDLESS OF SPEED. TOOK TO MECHANIC TO DETERMINE PROBLEM. MECHANIC HAS (SO FAR) IDENTIFIED BAD HEAD GASKET. I AM SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAS ONLY 67,000 MILES ON IT. VERY FEW MILES FOR AN EXPENSIVE HEAD GASKET REPAIR!! *JB
NHTSA ODI #10041201ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Fire · 1 injured · NHTSA ODI #761274SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATES WHILE HAVING VEHICLES OIL CHANGED THE MECHANIC NOTICED HIM THE LOWER ARM SHAFT WAS RUSTED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. NLM
NHTSA ODI #8006571EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON TAILLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK. WHEN MOVING SWITCH TAIL LIGHTS WILL WORK, BUT HEADLIGHTS WII NOT. THIS IS THE THIRD SWITCH. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WILL REPLACE SWITCH AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #6900676ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED, HAS STALLED 4 TIMES. INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED IGNITION MODULE 4 TIMES.*AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #898484ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,TIRES
WHILE TRAVELING, VEHICLE BOUNCED TO LEFT OR TO RIGHT DUE TO UNEVEN WEAR OF TIRES. *AK FRONT END CAN NOT BE ALIGNED PROPERLY TO SPECIFICATION PER DEALER. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL AND MODULE 4 DIFFERENT TIMES. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #897052ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY
KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE BEGAN - DEALER CONTACTED AND STATED NOISE PROBABLY DUE TO BENT ROD. KNOCK SEEMS TO LESSEN DURING COLD WEATHER AND WHEN OIL IS SERVICED. WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP INTERMITTENTLY DURING OPERATION. REPLACED THE WIPER MOTOR - PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #746535ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY TIME AND ANY SPEED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #885964+ 193 more complaints on record.
