The 1981 Ford Escort has 4 recalls, the most serious involving the braking system: power brake boosters on some vehicles can separate while driving, causing a complete loss of brakes, and rear brake line tubes can fatigue and leak fluid, also resulting in brake failure.
On the safety restraint side, the front seatbelt webbing can contact the sharp leading edge of the seat back's steel reinforcement during a frontal collision, where the belt can be cut or severed at the moment it is needed most. A separate recall affects station wagon models only, where the seatbelt anchor points may not meet the required strength standard, raising the risk of the belt pulling free in a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
In a severe frontal crash, the seat belt webbing may rub against sharp edges of the front seat's steel reinforcement plates, causing it to fray, tear, or break completely.
What the fix does
No remedy description available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The seatbelt anchors on these station wagons may not meet safety standards for properly securing seatbelts.
What the fix does
No remedy description available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Power brake boosters may have been improperly assembled, with the rear shell misaligned relative to the front shell. This misalignment can cause inadequate crimping where the two shells join. If the booster separates during driving, the brakes will fail completely.
What the fix does
No remedy description available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts securing the rear brake backing plates may not be tightened enough to stay secure during truck transport. If they loosen, the backing plate can move and crack the brake tubes, causing brake fluid to leak completely.
What the fix does
No remedy description available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
