Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix
1989 vs 1990 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 443 months on market for each model year
Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026
Age-matched reports
▼ 33.6% fewer 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 | 1989 share | 1990 share | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 5.9% | not reported | ▼ 5.9 pts smaller share |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 38.2% | 42.6% | ▲ 4.4 pts larger share |
| SEAT BELTS | 11.8% | 7.9% | ▼ 3.9 pts smaller share |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5.3% | 3.0% | ▼ 2.3 pts smaller share |
| TIRES | not reported | 2.0% | ▲ 2.0 pts larger share |
| WHEELS | 2.0% | not reported | ▼ 2.0 pts smaller share |
| STEERING | 3.3% | 5.0% | ▲ 1.7 pts larger share |
| VISIBILITY | 0.7% | 2.0% | ▲ 1.3 pts larger share |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 7.9% | 8.9% | ▲ 1.0 pts larger share |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2.0% | 3.0% | ▲ 1.0 pts larger share |
| SUSPENSION | 0.7% | not reported | ▼ 0.7 pts smaller share |
| STRUCTURE | 1.3% | 2.0% | ▲ 0.7 pts larger share |
| ENGINE | 12.5% | 11.9% | ▼ 0.6 pts smaller share |
| POWER TRAIN | 3.3% | 3.0% | ▼ 0.3 pts smaller share |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 80.9% | 84.2% | ▲ 3.2 pts larger share |
NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22
Recall campaigns
Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and VISIBILITY
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety signals
- ◆ Fires
- 60 → 42
- ◆ Injuries
- 9 → 8