1989 Ford Escort problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 1989 Ford Escort have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1989 Ford Escort. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

Q: What gas mileage does the 1989 Ford Escort get?

The 1989 Ford Escort has U.S. EPA estimates of 25–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

1989 Ford Escort at a glance

Safety recalls1

Owner complaints174

Combined25–32 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1989 Ford Escort recalls 1

Electrical System:ignition NHTSA Campaign #96V071000 · 25/04/1996

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 8 Oct 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.

1989 Ford Escort common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 174 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System

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

Engine And Engine Cooling

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

Seat Belts

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

Fuel System

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

Gasoline

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

Exterior Lighting

Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

1989 Ford Escort MPG & running costs

Combined25–32 mpg

City24 mpg

Highway32 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$2,500

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.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1989 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.

1989 Ford Escort vehicles on record

Other Ford Escort model years

1989 Ford Escort — frequently asked questions

Does the 1989 Ford Escort have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1989 Ford Escort. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Ford Escort?

Across all 174 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine and engine cooling, seat belts.

What gas mileage does the 1989 Ford Escort get?

The 1989 Ford Escort has U.S. EPA estimates of 25–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.