1991-1996 Ford Escort: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1991-1996 Ford Escort and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Fuel economy
- Acceleration (GT, LX-E)
- Antilock brakes (optional)
- Ride
Cons
- Engine noise
- Rear-seat room
- Road noise
Vehicle Highlights
For 1991, this popular subcompact was given a substantial reworking. Wheelbase grew four inches on a front-drive platform derived from the Mazda 323/Protege. Body styles were the same as before: 2- and 4-door hatchbacks, plus a 4-door station wagon. (The similar Mercury Tracer came as a 4-door notchback sedan or a wagon.) Low-end Pony and step-up LX Escorts kept the 1.9-liter Ford 4-cylinder engine from the prior generation. The GT 3-door hatchback got a smaller dual-cam engine that whipped up 127 horsepower. All Escorts had motorized front shoulder belts.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Ford Escort LS 4-door notchback Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 40 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1991-1996 Ford Escort. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1991-1996 Ford Escort.
Year to Year Changes
1992 Ford Escort/ZX2:
Escort added two 4-door notchback sedans, a regular LX plus an LX-E with the GT's engine. The LX-E had GT-style seat/door trim, 4-wheel disc brakes, and a sport suspension.
1993 Ford Escort/ZX2:
Escorts went on sale early this season, showing only minor styling revisions. All except the GT got a slightly restyled grille. The LX gained body color bumpers; GTs, new wheels and spoilers.
1994 Ford Escort/ZX2:
Antilock braking became available on the GT, and all models added a driver-side airbag. Front passengers stuck with the motorized seatbelt.
1995 Ford Escort/ZX2:
Dual airbags were installed, but Escorts retained motorized seatbelts anyway. A new instrument panel held revised climate controls, and the optional air conditioner was more powerful. An integrated child safety seat became available.
1996 Ford Escort/ZX2:
Seatbelts added an automatic locking retractor that eliminated the need for locking clips with a conventional child seat. A redesigned Escort went on sale in late May as an early 1997 model.
Our road test for the 1991-1996 Ford Escort includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1991-1996 Ford Escort and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1991-1996 Ford Escort is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
In hard acceleration, either engine causes the automatic transmission to jolt between gears. With automatic, there's just not enough low-end power for quick getaways. Acceleration to 60 mph took a leisurely 12.5 seconds. Though more powerful, the GT's engine gets lazy below 3500 rpm; but it runs smoother than the 1.9-liter. Both engines vibrate at idle, and are noisy while cruising. Gas mileage is great. An early automatic LX averaged 25.9 mpg. A later edition did better yet, averaging 26.8 mpg even while commuting. Stable and well-controlled at highway speeds, the Escort's suspension is surprisingly absorbent on harsher pavement. A GT handles crisply, courtesy of its sport suspension and 15-inch tires. The same cannot be said of Pony and LX hatchbacks, whose 13-inch rubber easily loses grip in brisk cornering. Standard 4-wheel disc brakes on the GT bring the Escort to a swift, sure stop. Wind and road noise are noticeable, especially at highway speeds. Visibility is good from the Escort's airy cabin. Head room isn't bad for a subcompact, unless it has the optional sunroof. Leg room is adequate, but three in back is a squeeze. The cargo area of hatchbacks and wagons is quite narrow between wheelwells, but wider at the rear. Controls are logically positioned, simply marked, operating with smooth precision that belies the car's modest roots.
Value for the Money
With Escort you get plenty of practical value. Though the Escort can't match a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla for refinement, it does give the impression of true quality in the subcompact field.
With Escort you get plenty of practical value. Though the Escort can't match a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla for refinement, it does give the impression of true quality in the subcompact field.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Ford Escort LS 4-door notchback Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 40 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Ford Escort/ZX2 includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Ford Escort/ZX2 .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Blower motor:
Squeaking or chirping blower motors are the result of defective brush holders. (1993-94)
Brake noise:
Wear spots and ridges on the front brake caliper sleeves cause a knocking noise when gently applying the brakes. (1991-96)
Brakes:
There is a redesigned brake master cylinder and brake booster available that provides better pedal feel and travel. (1993-95)
Engine knock:
Carbon build-up on the pistons causes a knocking noise. Sometimes solved by cleaning the carbon from the pistons using carburetor cleaner, often pistons must be replaced with redesigned ones. (1991-93)
Fuel pump:
Under general campaign number 94B55, Ford will install a fused jumper harness in the fuel pump electrical circuit to prevent erratic fuel gauge readings, stalling, or wiring damage. (1991-94)
Hard starting:
If the engine does not start or cranks for a long time then stalls, the idle air control valve may be sticking. (1995-96)
Horn:
Sometimes the horn will not work due to a poor ground circuit in the steering column. (1995-96)
Transmission noise:
If a whine comes from the transmission during coast-down, it is probably because the idler gear teeth were not machined properly. (1995-96)
Vehicle noise:
A grinding noise while turning is most likely due to dirt accumulating in the top strut mount bushing. (1991-92)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $470 |
| Alternator | $370 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,160 |
| Brakes | $260 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $275 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $585 |
| Exhaust System | $375 |
| Radiator | $382 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $620 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $145 |
Our price chart for this generation Ford Escort/ZX2 details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1996 | |||
| Escort | $1,300-1,700 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
| Escort GT | $1,600-2,000 | $1,100-1,300 | $200-300 |
| 1995 | |||
| Escort | $1,200-1,500 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| Escort GT | $1,400-1,700 | $900-1,100 | $200 |
| 1994 | |||
| Escort | $1,100-1,400 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| Escort GT | $1,300-1,600 | $800-1,000 | $200 |
| 1993 | |||
| Escort | $1,000-1,300 | $600-800 | $100 |
| Escort GT | $1,200-1,500 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| 1992 | |||
| Escort | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Escort GT | $1,100-1,400 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| 1991 | |||
| Escort | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Escort GT | $1,000-1,300 | $600-800 | $100 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Ford Escort/ZX2 include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door hatchback | 4-door hatchback | 4-door sedan | 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 98.4 | 98.4 | 98.4 | 98.4 |
| Overall Length, in. | 170.0 | 170.0 | 170.9 | 171.3 |
| Overall Width, in. | 66.7 | 66.7 | 66.7 | 66.7 |
| Overall Height, in. | 52.5 | 52.5 | 52.7 | 53.6 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2355 | 2385 | 2404 | 2451 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 35.2 | 36.0 | 12.1 | 66.9 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 11.9 | 11.9 | 11.9 | 11.9 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.4 | 38.4 | 38.4 | 38.4 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.7 | 41.7 | 41.7 | 41.7 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.6 | 37.6 | 37.4 | 38.5 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 34.6 | 34.6 | 34.5 | 34.6 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Two engines were available in 1991 Escorts: a carryover 1.9-liter, rated at 88 horsepower; or in the GT, a Mazda dual-overhead-cam 1.8-liter (four valves per cylinder) that made 127 horses. Transmissions were supplied by Mazda: either a 5-speed stick or an optional 4-speed automatic. For 1996, the 1.9-liter engine gained platinum-tipped spark plugs. Ford issued an all-new Escort as an early '97 model.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I4 | 1.8 / 109 | 127 | 114 | 5-speed manual: 25/31 4-speed automatic: 23/29 |
5-speed manual: 21.6 4-speed automatic: -- |
| ohc I4 | 1.9 / 114 | 88 | 108 | 5-speed manual: 31/38 4-speed automatic: 26/34 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 25.9 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Mexico, USA
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Ford Escort/ZX2 include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1996 Escort |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1991-1996 Ford Escort directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1991:
Interference may occur between bolt that secures fuel line shield to lower dash and gas pedal, causing pedal to stick wide open.
1991:
Pins securing ignition lock can separate or move out of position; cylinder may disengage, causing steering column to lock up.
1991-92:
On some cars, fatigue crack can develop in solder joint between fuel return tube and fuel pump sending unit; fuel vapor could escape when tank is full, and small amount may leak.
1991-93:
On small number of front suspension units made by Dana Corp., the offset-toe adjusting pin may fracture under certain conditions, resulting in loss of control.
1993:
Driver's seat in some cars may not engage fully in its track in positions near midpoint; could move in event of crash.
1994-95:
On a few cars, driver-side airbag may deploy improperly and expel hot gases.
1995 cars in certain states:
Cracks can develop in plastic fuel tank, resulting in leakage.
1995:
Two bolts that attach passenger-side airbag may be missing; in frontal impact, the airbag could fail to restrain the passenger.
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