VIN Vehicle Report

1988 Ford Escort

WF0DXXGCADJB65501

Vehicle record for the 1988 Ford Escort (VIN WF0DXXGCADJB65501). Blue, hatchback, diesel. Registered in Odesa. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year. Free specifications, registration region and recall data.

2 recall campaigns → Diesel
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Full vehicle history report

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Everything below is in the paid report for VIN WF0DXXGCADJB65501, 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 free further down.

Title & Salvage Check · $4.99 Full report · $9.95 (everything)

📜 Title & ownership

  • Title statusClean, salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood or lemon — from the national title database (NMVTIS)
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  • Title brand historyEvery brand ever applied, by state, with what each one means
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  • Title & registration recordsHow many times it has been titled, where, and the years-per-owner pace
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  • Decode consistency checkThe provider's decode cross-checked against ours — a mismatch is a cloned-VIN warning sign
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🛞 Odometer

  • Odometer timelineEvery reported reading with its date and state, drawn as a timeline
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  • Rollback checkFlags any reading that goes backwards
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  • Miles per yearThis car's pace against the US average
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💥 Damage, loss & theft

  • Total-loss recordsInsurance total-loss declarations, with the reporting insurer type and date
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  • Salvage & junk-yard recordsSalvage, junk and auction dispositions, including export flags
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  • Theft screenActive and recovered theft records
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  • Accident indicatorsDamage events reflected in title data (NMVTIS does not carry police crash reports)
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  • Flood-exposure checkTitle activity in a disaster area soon after a major flood or hurricane
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💰 Liens & value

  • Liens, impounds & exportOpen liens with the lender, tow/impound and export records
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  • Market value for this exact carRetail adjusted for its mileage and state, trade-in, loan value, auction low/avg/high and retail by condition
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  • DepreciationDrop from original MSRP, yearly rate and a one-year projection
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  • Sticker vs dealer invoiceWhat it cost new, and what the dealer paid
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🧰 Factory warranty & equipment

  • Remaining warrantyBasic, powertrain and rust coverage left, estimated from the first title date and odometer
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  • Standard equipment & coloursWhat this trim came with from the factory, and the colours it was offered in
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🚨 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
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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 are free.

At a glance

LocationOdesa, UKRAINE
ColorBlue
Recall campaigns2

Vehicle identity & specifications

Make
Ford
Model
Escort
Year
1988
Body style
Hatchback
Vehicle type
Passenger car
Fuel type
Diesel
Country of origin
Germany

🧾 Window sticker / build sheet → All 1988 Ford Escort data →

MPG & running costs

U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 1988 Ford Escort.

Combined24–32 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway32 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,500
FuelRegular
EPA size classCompact Cars
Transmission3 options
Passenger volume85 cu ft
Cargo volume18 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$500 more

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.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,500
Fuel only$12,500
Per mile$0.17

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.

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 · 25/04/1996

FUEL 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 · 04/09/1987

Note: 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 8 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 free.

Get free recall alerts for this vehicle

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

Electrical System 85 reports

🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Engine And Engine Cooling 29 reports

🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

Seat Belts 17 reports

🔍 Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

Steering 14 reports

🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

Fuel System 11 reports

🔍 Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

Gasoline 11 reports

🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Pre-purchase checklist

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 #10041201

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Fire · 1 injured · NHTSA ODI #761274

SUSPENSION

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 #8006571

EXTERIOR 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 #6900676

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED, HAS STALLED 4 TIMES. INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED IGNITION MODULE 4 TIMES.*AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #898484

ELECTRICAL 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 #897052

ENGINE 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 #746535

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY TIME AND ANY SPEED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #885964

+ 193 more complaints on record.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I find out who owns this vehicle from the VIN?

No — and no legitimate service can. Linking a VIN or plate to a named owner is restricted by the U.S. Driver's Privacy Protection Act, the EU GDPR and equivalent laws. CarLogs shows the vehicle only — specs, recalls, problems and value — never the person.

Are there safety recalls on the 1988 Ford Escort?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1988 Ford Escort model year. That covers the model year, not this individual car: to see whether a specific vehicle still needs a recall repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What fuel economy does the 1988 Ford Escort get?

The 1988 Ford Escort has U.S. EPA estimates of 24–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Recall data checked 8 Oct 2026 · Sources: NHTSA (recalls & complaints), U.S. EPA (fuel economy), NHTSA vPIC (specifications). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.