1981 Ford Escort Wagon Base
All photo credits
- Photo: 1990 Ford Escort GT in white, front left (Hershey 2019) by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Ford Escort LX USDM by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1990 Ford Escort GT in white, rear right (Hershey 2019) by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1981 Ford Escort - interior - Flickr - dave 7 by dave_7 from Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1981 Ford Escort Wagon Base is a 65-hp 1.6-liter inline-4 wagon with a 4-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $6,039 MSRP.
It makes 65 horsepower and 85 lb-ft of torque.
The Escort Wagon measures 163.0 inches long on a 94.2-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,090 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Wagon |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $6,039 ($21,592 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 1.6L Ford CVH SOHC I4 |
| Displacement | 1.6 L |
| Horsepower | 65 hp |
| Torque | 85 lb-ft |
| Valvetrain | SOHC, 2 valves/cylinder |
| Bore and Stroke | 80 x 79.5 mm |
| Injection Type | 32/32 Weber-licensed carburetor |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | FWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed Manual (MTX-2) |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 163 in |
| Width | 65 in |
| Height | 53 in |
| Wheelbase | 94.2 in |
| Curb Weight | 2,090 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 38 in |
| Headroom Rear | 37 in |
| Legroom Front | 41 in |
| Legroom Rear | 35 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 51 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 51 in |
| Hip Room Front | 52 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 52 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1981 Ford Escort Wagon Base with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
10 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1981 Ford ESCORT. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Jul 18, 1984 · SEATS
SCREW THAT CONNECTS THE SEAT BACK FRAME TO THE RECLINER MECHANISM MAY BREAK.
Remedy: THE ATTACHMENT SCREW ON THE DRIVER"S SEAT WILL BE REPLACED BY ONE OF A LARGER DIAMETER.
NHTSA campaign 84V085000
Jun 15, 1984 · SEATS
SEAT FRAME STRUCTURE COULD SEVER FRONT SEAT BELTS IF VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, DEPENDING ON FORCE OF IMPACT.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A MOLDED SPACER BETWEEN REINFORCEMENT PLATES AND LOWER DECORATIVE PLASTIC COVER.
NHTSA campaign 84V071000
Jun 22, 1983 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DOOR LOCK PILLARS COULD DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS FROM NORMAL USAGE OF DOOR, AT THE POINT WHERE DOOR LATCH STRIKER REINFORCEMENTS ARE ATTACHED.
Remedy: ANY DAMAGED LOCK PILLARS WILL BE REPAIRED AND REINFORCEMENTS WILL BE INSTALLED BETWEEN THE DOOR LATCH STRIKER AND LOCK PILLARS.
NHTSA campaign 83V063000
Feb 17, 1983 · SEAT BELTS
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".
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REINFORCE THE ROOF RAIL INNER PANEL SURROUNDING THE DRAINAGE HOLE AT NO COST TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign 83V013000
Jul 22, 1981 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign 81V092000
Jul 7, 1981 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
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.
Remedy: ALL DEFECTIVE BOOSTERS WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign 81V084000
Apr 6, 1981 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
Remedy: THE VACUUM CHECK VALVE AND HOSE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED AND THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO WILL BE REPLACED IF IT HAS BEEN DAMAGED.
NHTSA campaign 81V045000
Nov 4, 1980 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign 80V142000
Oct 15, 1980 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, CORRECT THE WIRING HARNESS ROUTING AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign 80V133000
Oct 3, 1980 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
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.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND TIGHTEN THE BOLTS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATIONS. REAR BRAKE TUBES WILL BE REPLACED, IF NECESSARY, AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign 80V134000
1 owner complaint to NHTSA for the 1981 Ford ESCORT
Owner Complaints
1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA for the 1981 Ford ESCORT. See all on nhtsa.gov
| Seats | 1 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1981 FORD ESCORT. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.