1992 Ford Escort problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 1992 Ford Escort have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1992 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 1992 Ford Escort get?

The 1992 Ford Escort has U.S. EPA estimates of 23–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

1992 Ford Escort at a glance

Safety recalls3

Owner complaints193

Combined23–29 mpg

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

1992 Ford Escort recalls 3

Suspension:front NHTSA Campaign #94E019000 · 02/06/1994

THE OFFSET TOE ADJUSTING PIN CAN FRACTURE UNDER CONDITIONS SUCH AS TORSIONAL LOADS, FLEXING MOTION, IMPACT LOADS, AND OVERTORQUING.

Fix: 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 ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PIN ASSEMBLY. OWNER OR INSTALLER INQUIRIES CONCERNING THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN SHOULD CONTACT DANA SERVICE CENT…

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #92V117000 · 19/08/1992

FATIGUE CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN TUBE AND THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK.

Fix: INSTALL A NEW FUEL PUMP SENDING ASSEMBLY.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #92V103000 · 13/07/1992

THE STOP LAMP SWITCHES COULD INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTION RESULTING IN THE STOP LAMPS NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.

Fix: REPLACE THE FAULTY STOP LAMP SWITCHES.

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.

1992 Ford Escort common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 193 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.

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.

Seat Belts

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

Vehicle Speed Control

Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.

Engine And Engine Cooling

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

1992 Ford Escort MPG & running costs

Combined23–29 mpg

City23 mpg

Highway31 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$2,625

EPA size classCompact Cars

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd

Passenger volume91 cu ft

Cargo volume17 cu ft

5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$1,125 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 1992 Ford Escort costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,125

Fuel only$13,125

Per mile$0.18

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.

1992 Ford Escort vehicles on record

Other Ford Escort model years

1992 Ford Escort — frequently asked questions

Does the 1992 Ford Escort have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1992 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 1992 Ford Escort?

Across all 193 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, fuel system, gasoline.

What gas mileage does the 1992 Ford Escort get?

The 1992 Ford Escort has U.S. EPA estimates of 23–29 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.