The 1995 Ford Escort has 5 recalls, with the most serious being a cracked fuel tank on 1.9L-equipped models that can leak fuel and cause a fire if an ignition source is nearby.
The fuel tank issue affects vehicles originally sold or registered in certain warm-climate states, where cracks can form in the tank wall and allow fuel to escape. On the airbag side, the driver's side airbag inflator canister may have an inadequate weld that can split open in a crash, causing the airbag to fail to deploy correctly and expelling hot gases out the back of the steering wheel toward the driver. The passenger airbag module may also be missing the two bolts that hold it to the instrument panel, meaning a frontal crash can cause the module to break free entirely and fail to restrain the passenger.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank can crack near where the heat shield attachment points are located, potentially causing fuel to leak if cracks penetrate through the tank wall.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove the heat shield attachments. The heat shield will remain in place and function normally, held by the fuel tank straps.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank can crack near where the heat shield attaches, potentially leaking fuel if cracks penetrate the tank wall.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove the heat shield attachments. The tank straps will continue to secure the heat shield.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's side air bag inflator canister may have a weld that is not strong enough, which could cause the air bag to fail during a crash.
What the fix does
A new air bag module will be installed to replace the defective one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The two bolts securing the passenger side airbag module to the instrument panel may be missing. In a collision, the unsecured module could detach from the panel, potentially causing injury.
What the fix does
The dealer will install the mounting bolts and tighten them to the correct specification.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Two bolts holding the passenger air bag module to the dashboard are missing. In a frontal crash, the module could separate from the dashboard.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the passenger air bag mounting bolts and install or tighten them to the correct specification.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
