Fuel System complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Dt*: the contact stated while stopped, the vehicle was rear ended. The other vehicle was going 45-55 MPH. When this occurred the fuel system did not shut off, the airbags did not deploy, and the seat belts did not retract. The entire rear end of the vehicle was crushed; the contents of the trunk struck the contact causing minor injuries. There was a police report taken at the scene. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and the rear end was replaced.
I purchased my se in November of 2006 with less than 83K miles on it. Three months after purchasing it, one of the head gaskets cracked. I had the head repaired, and less than two months after that the head cracked again. I had the engine replaced. I have now had new heads, new engine, new fuel pump and a new alternator installed and now am having a new problem. When I pulled out from a stop, the brake light would come on until the brakes were applied. The engine is now emitting a grinding noise when stopped, and I feel it is unsafe to drive. This is all in addition to the violent shaking, faulty front headlight, transmission that needs flushed and loud engine noise. I have spent more on repairs than I paid for the vehicle, and now have to put more money in to it, and it still has less than 94K miles on it. This is my first Ford, and will be my last.
On August 5, 2003, I was rearended while driving a 1998 Ford Escort. The auto kill swich never killed the engine. Luckily the gas tank stayed intact. The damage to the car was so severe that the fire personell at the scene could not believe that the kill switch was not tripped. Both back doors were jammed with my 6 year old traooed in the back.
Consumer was traveling approximately 45mph on dry roads another vehicle cut in front trying not to hit vehicle. Consumer hit two parked cars instead. Airbags in front didn't deploy. Manufacturer referred consuemr to a Ford dealer. Vehicle has a fuel injection switch that cut vehicle off. Vehicle started back up.
The rubber fuel filler neck hose that connects the metal fuel filler neck to the gas tank failed for the first time in 2013. During fueling, a large pool of gasoline leaked onto the pavement under the vehicle, presenting an environmental and fire hazard. The filler neck hose was replaced with a Ford OEM hose purchased from a local Ford dealer in Sacramento, CA. The replacement hose failed in a similar manner the original hose in less than two years time - thus requiring replacement in 2015. A genuine Ford OEM replacement was obtained from a dealer in the Sacramento area and installed. This hose failed in less than 2 years time, in 2017. Again a replacement hose was obtained from a Sacramento area Ford dealer ind installed. This hose then failed in 2019 and was replaced with another Ford dealer-obtained part... which failed in 2021 and was replaced with another Ford dealer-obtained part. …
Dt: the contact owns a 1997 Ford Escort. While he driving and when the vehicle was idling there were fuel fumes inside the vehicle. When driving the vehicle it took approximately 5 minutes for the fumes to enter the vehicle. While idling the fuel fumes were worse upon entering the vehicle. The fumes become so bad at times that the contact had to pull over and let the vehicle air out. The service dealer stated that it was the perch valve inside the gas tank that released the fumes. The fuel pump will have to be replaced to remedy the problem. The contact has not called the manufacturer.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Ford Escort. While driving the vehicle, there was a fuel odor in the cabin. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel filler line failed and would need to be repaired. The failure occurred once previously. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Consumer has multiple problems with vehicle. Engine light stays on & the vehicle won't pass inspection if the dealer can't find out what was wrong with it. There were gas smells coming from hatchback. However, dealer couldn't determine were it was coming from. As of this date 9-13-00 engine light still on, consumer replaced oxygen sensor, timing belt and water pump. Kink was found in gas line caused smell coming from front of the car. Bracket off of motor mount.
Related recalls (2)
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 1.9l engines, built at the hermosillo or wayne assembly plants and originally sold or currently registered in nevada, florida, hawaii, texas, california, louisiana, georgia, south carolina, mississippi, oklahoma, alabama and arkansas.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the heat shield attachments. This will not affect heat shield location or function, as the attachments are intended to keep the shield in place until the fuel tank is installed in the vehicle.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 1.9l engines, built at the hermosillo assembly plant and originally sold or currently registered in arizona. Cracks can develop in the fuel tank near the heat shield attachment resulting in fuel leakage if the cracks go through the fuel tank wall.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the heat shield attachments. This will not affect heat shield location or function, as the attachments are intended to keep the shield in place until the fuel tank is installed in the vehicle.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel tank assembly
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Escort years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (140), 1998 (22), 1997 (16), 1999 (13) and 1996 (11) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 24% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Ford Escort fuel system problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 97V-144 (tank assembly, Sep 3, 1997); 97V-145 (tank assembly, Sep 3, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Escort fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 94,000 miles; 16% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the storage › tank assembly (115 mentions), followed by the delivery › fuel pump (22).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.