1995 Ford Escort Fuel System Problems

Which parts fail

• Storage › Tank assembly
  102
• Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
  5
• Storage
  3
• Delivery › Fuel pump
  2
• Fuel injection system
  2
• Carburetor system
  2

Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  24%
• 25k–50k
  24%
• 50k–75k
  613%
• 75k–100k
  1531%
• 100k–150k
  2042%
• 150k+
  36%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Ford Escort owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Tl* the contact owns a 1995 Ford Escort. The contact stated that when refueling the vehicle, there was a fuel odor emitting inside the vehicle. In addition, the contact discovered fuel leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the heat shield and fuel tank were cracked a needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 97V144000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was 135,341. ...updated 11/02/15 the consumer stated the fuel tank was fractured because the hold down hardware for the heat shield was nver removed per the required repair for the recall. The consumer was informed his vehicle was not included in the recall. Updated 11/05/15.

Tl* the contact owns a 1995 Ford Escort. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor in the vehicle. The contact also stated that the fuel was observed leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 97V144000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact also mentioned that the replacement part for the repair would not be available. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

I own a 1995 Ford Escort wagon that was in colorado for 11 years, and this year -- 2007 -- I moved to phoenix arizona. Last week I noticed a leak under the car and suspected it was gasoline. I was albe to confirm it yesterday and noticed it had become much worse. I took it to a local dealer, and suspected a defect after they diagnosed the problem as a cracked fuel tank. I suspected that this was abnormal and did a quick internet search which lead me to this website and a host of information of an existing recall for this vehicle's fuel tank when it it resides in areas with a hot climate and fluctuating extremes in temperature. I did further research on the VIN and could determine that this car had one of the defective tanks installed. However, the dealer refuses to pay for the repair, and insists that I am the one who must pursue remuneration. …

Dt: the vehicle is a 1995 Ford Escort, with the engine size of 1.9 litters esi. On 6-29-05 the consumer took the vehicle into the dealer because the gas tank was leaking fuel. She had to get a wrecker to take it to the reynolds Ford dealer 7320 northwest expressway oklahoma city, OK 71312 ph. No. [phone]. Afterwards she had found there was a recall notice on the year make and model of her vehicle; NHTSA campaign I. D. No. 97V145000 and 97V144000. When her husband contacted the dealer by phone they told him they knew nothing of the recalls. The consumer contacted the Ford manufacturer and they told her that there was not a recall on the VIN no. Of her vehicle and that it was ten years old. There are no other known problems with the vehicle at this time. The dealership that the vehicle was purchased from is no longer in business.

Tl contact owns a 1995 Ford Escort. After smelling gasoline, the contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic and was informed that there was a fuel leak. She was advised not to drive the vehicle; therefore, it was towed to a local Ford dealer. The dealer also discovered a fuel leak and stated that the cost for the repair would be approximately $1,000. The vehicle was towed back to the local mechanic and they replaced the gas tank at the cost of $780. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97V144000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly). The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 10/07/08. The consumer was informed her vehicle was not included in the recall because her vehicle was manufactured in another state. Updated 10/08/08.

Tl* the contact owns a 1995 Ford Escort. The contact stated there was an overpowering odor of gasoline coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was refueled the day prior to noticing the failure. The fuel level gauge was reading only one half full when the tank should have been reading full. The contact then discovered a large puddle of gasoline under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the contact was advised that the fuel tank had separated from the vehicle. The contact was advised by the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 97V145000 (fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly) and that they would not assist with repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 120,000.

I am writing about my 1995 Ford Escort with a 1.9l engine. There is an absolute safety hazard on my vehicle. I see that there was a recall in 1997 for a leaking fuel tank. And the tank on my car is now leaking. When I took it to the dealership they said that my car was not involved in the recall but I find it peculiar that I am having the same problem. When I went to the dealership the first thing they told me before looking anything up was "that recall is expired anyway but see a service manager" expired how can a safety hazard be expired? Do you not stand behind your products!!! I think it is ridiculous that I am handled that way what because I drive an older car. Am I not important? I would like a response asap about this safety hazard!!!

I own a 1995 Ford Escort lx [redacted] which has a leaking fuel tank. I checked your (NHTSA) web site and found "two recalls" for this problem. I when to my local Ford dealer for repairs,(a.c. Collins Ford, pasadena texas) and was told there was no recall issued for my car based on the VIN number. But the VIN number clearly states the engine size 1.9 l, assembly plant: wayne ind. And it was sold and still is registered and used in pasadena /houston texas. Which is the same information as shown in the NHTSA's recall notice. Note: the mileage and purchase dates are estimates due to the car being at the dealer at this moment. Updated 07/18/2012

Started smelling profuse gas fumes in my 1995 Escort lx. Took in to meineike to be repaired. They found that the gas tank was cracked due to heat shield. This is the month of August in mississippi and the heat factor has been over 100 for the last couple of weeks. Looked online and found that certain escorts had no gap between heat shield and gas tank and was under recall from 1997. This model came up not under recall but problem was indicative of recall models. Ford refuses to investigate my claim. The remedy for fixing recalled models was to make a gap between heatsheild and gas tank. There is no gap between heat shield and gas tank on my car. This model should have been under the recall.

Dt: the vehicle had a leak in the fuel tank which was discovered after a long trip. Consumer discovered small droplets of gasoline on the ground. There was a strong smell of gasoline. Consumer had vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer noted there was a recall 97V144000, but consumer's vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN . No repairs have been made, but consumer has been instructed not to drive vehicle due to the leak and the hot summer conditions experienced in the state of arizona where vehicle is currently at. The dealer thinks it is significant about the temperature change because consumer traveled form east coast to that state.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Fuel System complaints in other Escort years