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#BS-1982-FORESC-5E551982 Ford Escort
Based on reports from 5 owners and 5 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Proceed with Caution
Based on 5 complaints, 0 crashes, 3 fires, and 5 recalls.
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
2 owners reported electrical system:ignition:switch issues.
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Electrical System:ignition:switch (2 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
1982 Ford Escort: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Electrical System:ignition:switch Issues
Electrical System:ignition:switch complaints account for 40% of all reports filed for the 1982 Ford Escort, with 2 owners filing complaints with NHTSA.
Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion) Issues
Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion) complaints account for 20% of all reports filed for the 1982 Ford Escort, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion)-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar Issues
Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar complaints account for 20% of all reports filed for the 1982 Ford Escort, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to steering: steering wheel/handle bar-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood Issues
Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood complaints account for 20% of all reports filed for the 1982 Ford Escort, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical system:wiring:front underhood-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.



Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (5 recalls)
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, A THERMAL LIMITER IN THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR CIRCUIT OF THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER ASSEMBLY MAY NOT FUNCTION AS INTENDED. IF THE BLOWER MOTOR BECOMES JAMMED WHEN THE SYSTEM IS OPERATING IN THE MEDIUM-LOW BLOWER SPEED, THE RESISTOR COILS CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING MELTING AND POSSIBLE IGNITION.
SEAT BELTS
THE PORTION OF THE ROOF ABOVE FRAME (RAIL) TO WHICH THE SHOULDER BELT IS ANCHORED MAY HAVE A SLOT THAT CAN COMPROMISE THE STRENGTH OF THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR UNDER CERTAIN SEVERE LOADS. (THE SUSPECT AREA IS NOT VISIBLE.) CONSEQUENTLY, SOME VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL MAY NOT MEET THE 3000 POUND ANCHORAGE STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DOOR LOCK PILLARS COULD DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS FROM NORMAL USAGE OF DOOR, AT THE POINT WHERE DOOR LATCH STRIKER REINFORCEMENTS ARE ATTACHED.
SEATS
SEAT FRAME STRUCTURE COULD SEVER FRONT SEAT BELTS IF VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, DEPENDING ON FORCE OF IMPACT.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY ALLOW TWISTED WEBBING TO ENTER THE RETRACTOR HOUSING AND JAM THE RETRACTOR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A JAMMED RETRACTOR WOULD INTERFERE WITH WEBBING RETRACTION AND WITHDRAWAL. THIS WILL DISCOURAGE SEAT BELT USAGE.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Ford Escort is the 1999 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 5 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 5 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Ford Escort Model Years
View all Ford Escort years →1982 Ford Escort: Frequently Asked Questions
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10 sections of AI analysis based on 5 owner reports. Know before you buy.