1981 Ford Escort Recalls

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 84V085000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: July 1st, 1980
Manufactured End Date: May 1st, 1981
Date of Owner Notification: August 13th, 1984

Defect Summary:
SCREW THAT CONNECTS THE SEAT BACK FRAME TO THE RECLINER MECHANISM MAY BREAK.

Corrective Summary:
THE ATTACHMENT SCREW ON THE DRIVER"S SEAT WILL BE REPLACED BY ONE OF A LARGER DIAMETER.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES; STATION WAGON MODELS WITH FRONT SEATRECLINERS.SYSTEM: INTERIOR; DRIVERS SEAT BACK FRAME.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE SEAT BACK IS PLACED UNDER REARWARD PRESSURE, THESEAT BACK MAY SUDDENLY FALL TO THE HORIZONTAL POSITON WITHOUT WARNING. IF THISOCCURS ON THE DRIVER"S SEAT, IT MAY AFFECT THE DRIVER"S CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE,POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 84V071000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: August 1st, 1980
Manufactured End Date: August 1st, 1983
Date of Owner Notification: August 14th, 1984

Defect Summary:
SEAT FRAME STRUCTURE COULD SEVER FRONT SEAT BELTS IF VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, DEPENDING ON FORCE OF IMPACT.

Corrective Summary:
DEALER WILL INSTALL A MOLDED SPACER BETWEEN REINFORCEMENT PLATES AND LOWER DECORATIVE PLASTIC COVER.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NON-RECLINING FRONTSEATS.SYSTEM: INTERIOR; FRONT SEAT BELTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF SEAT BELT IS CUT DURING IMPACT, FRONT PASSENGERSWILL NO LONGER BE PROTECTED BY SAFETY BELT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN PERSONALINJURY.NOTE: UNTIL THE DEFECT CAN BE CORRECTED, SEAT BELTS SHOULD BE USED AS THEY DOAFFORD SOME PROTECTION.

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 83V063000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: July 1st, 1980
Manufactured End Date: March 1st, 1983
Date of Owner Notification: July 18th, 1983

Defect Summary:
DOOR LOCK PILLARS COULD DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS FROM NORMAL USAGE OF DOOR, AT THE POINT WHERE DOOR LATCH STRIKER REINFORCEMENTS ARE ATTACHED.

Corrective Summary:
ANY DAMAGED LOCK PILLARS WILL BE REPAIRED AND REINFORCEMENTS WILL BE INSTALLED BETWEEN THE DOOR LATCH STRIKER AND LOCK PILLARS.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES; TWO DOOR.SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; DOOR LOCK PILLARS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY. IN DRIVING OVER ROUGHROADS THE DOOR COULD OPEN, ALLOWING PASSENGER TO FALL FROM VEHICLE AND BECOMEINJURED.

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 83V013000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: August 1st, 1980
Manufactured End Date: June 1st, 1982
Date of Owner Notification: April 8th, 1983

Defect Summary:
THE PORTION OF THE ROOF ABOVE FRAME (RAIL) TO WHICH THE SHOULDER BELT IS ANCHORED MAY HAVE A SLOT THAT CAN COMPROMISE THE STRENGTH OF THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR UNDER CERTAIN SEVERE LOADS. (THE SUSPECT AREA IS NOT VISIBLE.) CONSEQUENTLY, SOME VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL MAY NOT MEET THE 3000 POUND ANCHORAGE STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".

Corrective Summary:
THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REINFORCE THE ROOF RAIL INNER PANEL SURROUNDING THE DRAINAGE HOLE AT NO COST TO OWNER.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES; STATION WAGON MODELS ONLY.SYSTEM: INTERIOR SYSTEMS; FRONT UPPER TORSO RESTRAINT (SHOULDER BELT)ANCHORAGE.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IN VERY SEVERE FRONT END COLLISIONS, THE PROTECTIONAFFORDED FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY BE REDUCED.NOTE: THIS RECALL SHOULD IN NO WAY DISCOURAGE THE USE OF THE BELTS PRIOR TOHAVING THE DEFECT CORRECTED.

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 81V092000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: August 1st, 1980
Manufactured End Date: December 1st, 1980
Date of Owner Notification: August 14th, 1981

Defect Summary:
SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAVE AN ELECTRICALLY UNGROUNDED FUEL INLET. THESE VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO STATIC CHARGE ACCUMULATION AT THE FUEL FILLER PIPE OPENING, WHICH CAN OCCUR IF THESE VEHICLES ARE REFUELED FROM AN ELECTRICALLY UNGROUNDED DISPENSING NOZZLE.

Corrective Summary:
A GROUNDING CONNECTION FROM THE FILLER PIPE INLET TO THE VEHICLE BODY AND A STATIC ELECTRICITY SUPPRESSION ROD INSIDE THE FILLER PIPE WILL BE INSTALLED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: FUEL; FUEL INLET.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THIS STATIC CHARGE MAY GENERATE A SPARK OF STATICELECTRICITY WHICH CAN IGNITE FUEL VAPOR AT THE FUEL PIPE OPENING. IF THEVEHICLE"S FUEL TANK IS EITHER REPLACED OR CLEANSED DURING REPAIR, A SPARK OFSTATIC ELECTRICITY GENERATED FURTHER DOWN THE FILLER PIPE MAY IGNITE FUEL VAPORINSIDE THE PIPE. IN EITHER EVENT, FIRE, PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE MAYRESULT.

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 81V084000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: June 1st, 1981
Manufactured End Date: June 1st, 1981
Date of Owner Notification: June 26th, 1981

Defect Summary:
SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER BRAKE BOOSTERS HAVE FRONT AND REAR SHELLS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY JOINED. IMPROPERLY JOINED BOOSTER SHELLS MAY SEPARATE EITHER PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY DURING BRAKE APPLICATION.

Corrective Summary:
ALL DEFECTIVE BOOSTERS WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER BRAKE BOOSTERS.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; POWER BRAKE BOOSTER.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THIS SEPARATION MAY RESULT IN TOTAL LOSS OF THE SERVICEBRAKES WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND POSSIBLY, ANACCIDENT.NOTE: OWNER IS ADVISED TO CONTACT DEALER IMMEDIATELY TO FIND OUT WHETHER THEDEFECT WAS CORRECTED PRIOR TO VEHICLE PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BEDRIVEN UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED.

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 81V045000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: August 1st, 1979
Manufactured End Date: February 1st, 1981
Date of Owner Notification: May 13th, 1981

Defect Summary:
FUEL MAY POSSIBLY TRAVEL THROUGH THE SPEED CONTROL VACUUM LINES AND INTO THE SPEED CONTROL ACTUATION DEVICE (SERV0). THE FUEL CAN DAMAGE SEALS IN THE ACTUATOR SERVO AND ALLOW VACUUM LEAKS. SUCH A LEAK COULD ACTIVATE THE SPEED CONTROL WITHOUT ANY ACTION ON THE PART OF THE DRIVER. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO GRADUALLY ACCELERATE.

Corrective Summary:
THE VACUUM CHECK VALVE AND HOSE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED AND THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO WILL BE REPLACED IF IT HAS BEEN DAMAGED.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL OPTION.SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT; SPEED CONTROL.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: INCREASE IN VEHICLE SPEED CAN BE CONTROLLED BY APPLYINGTHE BRAKES, HOWEVER RELEASING THE BRAKES WILL ALLOW THE PROBLEM TO RECUR. IFTHE DRIVER IS INATTENTIVE TO VEHICLE SPEED, THE CONDITION COULD RESULT IN ANACCIDENT.

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 80V142000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: September 1st, 1980
Manufactured End Date: October 1st, 1980
Date of Owner Notification: October 23rd, 1980

Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, METAL FASTENERS THAT WERE USED TO SECURE THE CARPETING TO THE FLOOR PAN MAY HAVE ACCIDENTALLY PENETRATED THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS WOULD RESULT IN A SLIGHT FUEL LEAK.

Corrective Summary:
DEALER WILL INSPECT VEHICLES FOR PENETRATION OF THE FUEL TANK BY CARPET FASTENERS. ANY LEAKING FUEL TANKS WILL BE REPLACED AND THE FLOOR PAN WILL BE SEALED, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNERS.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: FUEL; FUEL TANK.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FUELLEAKAGE MAY LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE AND PERSONALINJURY.

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 80V133000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: August 1st, 1980
Manufactured End Date: September 1st, 1980
Date of Owner Notification: October 1st, 1980

Defect Summary:
SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRE ASSEMBLY THAT MAY HAVE BEEN ROUTED ABOVE THE AIR CONDITIONING SUCTION HOSE. THIS HOSE MAY PUSH UP ON THE WIRING HARNESS CAUSING IT TO CONTACT THE HOOD PROP ROD BRACKET ATTACHING BOLT. THIS COULD LEAD TO PENETRATION OR CHAFING OF THE WIRING INSULATION.

Corrective Summary:
DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, CORRECT THE WIRING HARNESS ROUTING AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR CONDITIONING.SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; WIRING HARNESS, FRONT UNDERHOOD.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT RESULTS, THE WIRING HARNESS MAYOVERHEAT, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE AND PERSONAL INJURY TOPASSENGERS.

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 80V134000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: August 1st, 1980
Manufactured End Date: October 1st, 1980
Date of Owner Notification: October 3rd, 1980

Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE RIGHT AND LEFT HAND REAR BRAKE BACKING PLATE ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS. BACKING PLATE BOLTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE LOADS EXPERIENCED DURING TRUCK SHIPMENT. IF THE BOLTS LOOSEN FROM THE SPINDLE DURING OPERATION, BACKING PLATE MOVEMENT MAY RESULT IN WEAKENING OR PREMATURE WEAR OF ONE OR BOTH REAR BRAKE TUBES. THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID.

Corrective Summary:
DEALER WILL INSPECT AND TIGHTEN THE BOLTS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATIONS. REAR BRAKE TUBES WILL BE REPLACED, IF NECESSARY, AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; REAR BRAKE BACKING PLATE, ATTACHMENT BOLTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKINGCAPABILITY ON THE REAR BRAKE ADJACENT TO THE BROKEN TUBE AND ON THE OPPOSITESIDE FRONT BRAKE. ALTHOUGH PARTIAL BRAKING CAPABILITY WOULD REMAIN, THE VEHICLESTOPPING DISTANCE WOULD BE INCREASED AND AN ACCIDENT COULD RESULT. IF BOTH REARBRAKE TUBES FAIL, ALL HYDRAULIC BRAKING WOULD BE LOST AND LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR.NOTE: A LOOSE BACKING PLATE MAY RESULT IN NOTICEABLE NOISE DURING VEHICLEOPERATION.