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1982 Ford Escort Base

The 1982 Ford Escort Base is a 69-hp 1.6-liter inline-4 with a 4-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $5,762 MSRP.

It makes 69 horsepower.

The Escort measures 163.0 inches long on a 94.2-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,011 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$5,762 ($19,406 *)
Engine
Engine Type1.6L Ford CVH SOHC I4
Displacement1.6 L
Horsepower69 hp
ValvetrainSOHC, 2 valves/cylinder
Bore and Stroke80 x 79.5 mm
Injection Type32/32 Weber-licensed carburetor
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission4-speed Manual (MTX-2)
Dimensions & Weight
Length163 in
Width65 in
Height53 in
Wheelbase94.2 in
Curb Weight2,011 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38 in
Headroom Rear37 in
Legroom Front41 in
Legroom Rear35 in
Shoulder Room Front51 in
Shoulder Room Rear51 in
Hip Room Front52 in
Hip Room Rear52 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1982 Ford ESCORT. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

May 21, 1985 · SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY ALLOW TWISTED WEBBING TO ENTER THE RETRACTOR HOUSING AND JAM THE RETRACTOR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A JAMMED RETRACTOR WOULD INTERFERE WITH WEBBING RETRACTION AND WITHDRAWAL. THIS WILL DISCOURAGE SEAT BELT USAGE.

Remedy: A CLIP WILL BE INSERTED INTO THE RETRACTOR HOUSING WEBBING TO PREVENT JAMMING.

NHTSA campaign 85V067000

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

May 11, 1982 · EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, A THERMAL LIMITER IN THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR CIRCUIT OF THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER ASSEMBLY MAY NOT FUNCTION AS INTENDED. IF THE BLOWER MOTOR BECOMES JAMMED WHEN THE SYSTEM IS OPERATING IN THE MEDIUM-LOW BLOWER SPEED, THE RESISTOR COILS CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING MELTING AND POSSIBLE IGNITION.

Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE RESISTOR ASSEMBLY WITH AN IMPROVED VERSION WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

NHTSA campaign 82V045000

4 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1982 Ford ESCORT

Owner Complaints

4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1982 Ford ESCORT (3 a fire). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System3
Steering2
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 8, 1996 · Steering, Electrical System
“IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP WITH KEY IN IT, WOULD NOT RELEASE KEY. (SECOND VEHICLE ON 509613, 601627)”
Jul 1, 1996 · Electrical System Fire
“IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.”
May 13, 1996 · Electrical System Fire
“UNDERHOOD FIRE WHILE PARKED IN PARKING LOT; VEHICLE TOTALED; CAUSE UNKOWN. *AK”
Apr 24, 1996 · Steering Fire
“VEHICLE PARKED AND SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES. *AK”

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 1982 FORD ESCORT. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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