Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix
1985 vs 1986 FORD ESCORT
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.
First 491 months on market for each model year
Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026
Age-matched reports
▲ 73.1% more reports in the equal exposure window
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Component share shift
Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.
View component share data as a table
| Component | 1985 share | 1986 share | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM | 15.4% | 2.2% | ▼ 13.2 pts smaller share |
| STRUCTURE | not reported | 8.9% | ▲ 8.9 pts larger share |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 34.6% | 42.2% | ▲ 7.6 pts larger share |
| SEAT BELTS | 7.7% | 2.2% | ▼ 5.5 pts smaller share |
| POWER TRAIN | 7.7% | 2.2% | ▼ 5.5 pts smaller share |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | not reported | 4.4% | ▲ 4.4 pts larger share |
| VISIBILITY | 3.9% | not reported | ▼ 3.9 pts smaller share |
| AIR BAGS | 3.9% | not reported | ▼ 3.9 pts smaller share |
| SERVICE BRAKES | not reported | 2.2% | ▲ 2.2 pts larger share |
| SUSPENSION | not reported | 2.2% | ▲ 2.2 pts larger share |
| STEERING | not reported | 2.2% | ▲ 2.2 pts larger share |
| ENGINE | 19.2% | 20.0% | ▲ 0.8 pts larger share |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 3.9% | 4.4% | ▲ 0.6 pts larger share |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 96.2% | 86.7% | ▼ 9.5 pts smaller share |
NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22
Recall campaigns
Campaign components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety signals
- ◆ Fires
- 9 → 18
- ◆ Injuries
- 4 → 3