Ford Escort first generation

Ford Escort first generation
Photo: Cutlass / Wikimedia Commons · CC0

The Ford Escort first generation (1984–1990): dimensions, weights, reliability and the official figures of its 38 versions in the United States.

Sold in: United States and Canada

Dimensions, weights and capacity

SpecificationNorth AmericaWikipedia
Dimensions
Length–4,293–4,303 mm
Width–1,674 mm
Height–1,356–1,364 mm
Wheelbase–2,393 mm
Weights and towing
Kerb weight–1,017 kg
Seats and space
Luggage space (EPA)453–821 L EPA–
Passenger space (EPA)2,407–2,435 L EPA–

Ranges cover the generation’s versions and body styles; European and North American versions can differ. Sources: Wikipedia, US EPA fuel economy data. Wikipedia figures are used under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Reliability and owner reports

Owner complaints to NHTSA (US)

544 complaints for model years 1984–1990. 24 crashes · 221 fires · 38 injuries · 3 deaths

  • Electrical system 244
  • Engine 60
  • Seat belts 30

Complaints are reported by owners and not checked by NHTSA; they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models have more. NHTSA owner complaints

All 38 versions of the Ford Escort first generation

Show all 38 versions

United States 38 versions

Model years sold in the USA, from the EPA and the Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov). MPG on the EPA test; litres per 100 km = 235.215 ÷ MPG.

Years and versionEngineFuelGearboxDriveConsumption (combined)CO₂
1988–1990(FFS) (SPFI), SIL1.9 LPetrol5-speed manualFront-wheel drive27–28 MPG (8.4–8.7 L/100 km) EPA197–205 g/km
1988–1990(FFS) (SPFI), SIL · (FFS), SIL1.9 LPetrol4-speed manualFront-wheel drive32 MPG (7.4 L/100 km) EPA173 g/km
1986–1990(FFS)1.9 LPetrol3-speed automaticFront-wheel drive22–26 MPG (9.0–10.7 L/100 km) EPA212–251 g/km
1990(FFS) (MPFI), SIL1.9 LPetrol5-speed manualFront-wheel drive24 MPG (9.8 L/100 km) EPA230 g/km
1988–1989(FFS), SIL · (FFS) (MPFI), SIL1.9 LPetrol5-speed manualFront-wheel drive25 MPG (9.4 L/100 km) EPA221 g/km
1987(FFS), SIL1.9 LPetrol4-speed manualFront-wheel drive31 MPG (7.6 L/100 km) EPA178 g/km
1986–1987(FFS), SIL1.9 LPetrol5-speed manualFront-wheel drive24–28 MPG (8.4–9.8 L/100 km) EPA197–230 g/km
1987(FFS)1.9 LPetrol5-speed manualFront-wheel drive25 MPG (9.4 L/100 km) EPA221 g/km
1987(NO-CAT)2.0 LDiesel5-speed manualFront-wheel drive35 MPG (6.7 L/100 km) EPA181 g/km
1985–19861.9 LPetrol3-speed automaticFront-wheel drive23–25 MPG (9.4–10.2 L/100 km) EPA221–240 g/km
19861.9 LPetrol4-speed manualFront-wheel drive29 MPG (8.1 L/100 km) EPA190 g/km
1985–1986SIL1.9 LPetrol5-speed manualFront-wheel drive26–27 MPG (8.7–9.0 L/100 km) EPA205–212 g/km
1985–1986CA model · (CALIF) · (NO-CAT), SIL2.0 LDiesel5-speed manualFront-wheel drive34 MPG (6.9 L/100 km) EPA186 g/km
1986(NO-CAT), SIL2.0 LDiesel5-speed manualFront-wheel drive38 MPG (6.2 L/100 km) EPA166 g/km
1985CA model, SIL · (CALIF), SIL1.6 LPetrol4-speed manualFront-wheel drive27 MPG (8.7 L/100 km) EPA205 g/km
1985(FFS) CA model1.6 LPetrol5-speed manualFront-wheel drive26 MPG (9.0 L/100 km) EPA212 g/km
19851.6 LPetrol3-speed automaticFront-wheel drive24 MPG (9.8 L/100 km) EPA230 g/km
1985(CALIF), SIL1.6 LPetrol4-speed manualFront-wheel drive27 MPG (8.7 L/100 km) EPA205 g/km
1985SIL1.6 LPetrol4-speed manualFront-wheel drive33 MPG (7.1 L/100 km) EPA167 g/km
1985SIL1.6 LPetrol5-speed manualFront-wheel drive26 MPG (9.0 L/100 km) EPA212 g/km
1985(FFS)1.6 LPetrol3-speed automaticFront-wheel drive23 MPG (10.2 L/100 km) EPA240 g/km
1985(FFS)1.6 LPetrol5-speed manualFront-wheel drive25 MPG (9.4 L/100 km) EPA221 g/km
1985(FFS,TRBO)1.6 LPetrol5-speed manualFront-wheel drive24 MPG (9.8 L/100 km) EPA230 g/km
1985CA model, SIL1.9 LPetrol4-speed manualFront-wheel drive27 MPG (8.7 L/100 km) EPA205 g/km
1985CA model, SIL1.9 LPetrol5-speed manualFront-wheel drive27 MPG (8.7 L/100 km) EPA205 g/km
1985SIL1.9 LPetrol4-speed manualFront-wheel drive32 MPG (7.4 L/100 km) EPA173 g/km
19852.0 LDiesel5-speed manualFront-wheel drive40 MPG (5.9 L/100 km) EPA158 g/km
1984CA model1.6 LPetrol3-speed automatic–23 MPG (10.2 L/100 km) EPA240 g/km
19841.6 LPetrol4-speed manual–32 MPG (7.4 L/100 km) EPA173 g/km
1984(CALIF) · CA model1.6 LPetrol4-speed manual–26 MPG (9.0 L/100 km) EPA212 g/km
19841.6 LPetrol5-speed manual–24 MPG (9.8 L/100 km) EPA230 g/km
1984(FFS) · (FFS) CA model1.6 LPetrol3-speed automatic–23–24 MPG (9.8–10.2 L/100 km) EPA230–240 g/km
1984(FFS) · (FFS) CA model1.6 LPetrol5-speed manual–25 MPG (9.4 L/100 km) EPA221 g/km
1984(FFS,TRBO) · (FFS,TRBO) CA model1.6 LPetrol5-speed manual–24 MPG (9.8 L/100 km) EPA230 g/km
1984CA model1.6 LPetrol4-speed manual–27 MPG (8.7 L/100 km) EPA205 g/km
1984CA model1.6 LPetrol5-speed manual–25 MPG (9.4 L/100 km) EPA221 g/km
1984(DIESEL)2.0 LDiesel5-speed manual–39 MPG (6.0 L/100 km) EPA162 g/km
1984(CALIF) · (DIESEL) CA model2.0 LDiesel5-speed manual–34 MPG (6.9 L/100 km) EPA186 g/km

Similar models from other brands

Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.