Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1995 vs 1996 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 371 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 64.2% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

1995 567 complaints 1996 203 complaints

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 1995 share 1996 share Share change
FUEL SYSTEM 23.1% 4.4% ▼ 18.7 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 24.2% 36.5% ▲ 12.3 pts larger share
ENGINE 7.8% 12.8% ▲ 5.1 pts larger share
AIR BAGS 10.9% 7.4% ▼ 3.5 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 4.9% 8.4% ▲ 3.4 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 1.9% not reported ▼ 1.9 pts smaller share
STEERING 3.0% 4.4% ▲ 1.4 pts larger share
WHEELS not reported 1.0% ▲ 1.0 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1.4% 0.5% ▼ 0.9 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5.6% 6.4% ▲ 0.8 pts larger share
TIRES 0.5% 1.0% ▲ 0.5 pts larger share
PARKING BRAKE 0.2% 0.5% ▲ 0.3 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 0.7% 1.0% ▲ 0.3 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 5.6% 5.4% ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2.1% 2.0% ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 3.5% 3.5% ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 74.3% 66.0% ▼ 8.2 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1995 5

Campaign components: AIR BAGS and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1996 1

Campaign components: not reported

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
18 → 7
◆ Injuries
70 → 26