Selling an old Ford EXP that doesn't run
An EXP that hasn't started in years, or one with a worn-out CVH engine, can be sold whole. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US. There's no need to hunt down parts for a coupe Ford stopped building in 1988.
- Built
- 1982-1988 (this page: 1984-1988)
- Body
- Two-seat coupe on Escort mechanicals
- Engines
- 1.6 CVH four to 1985; 1.9 CVH four 1986-1988
- Turbo Coupe
- From 1984, 120 hp
- Complaints that describe an EXP
- 5
- Recall campaigns listed
- 3
- Last car built
- October 1988
The EXP in brief
Ford sold the EXP only in North America, as a two-seat coupe on the Escort's chassis and drivetrain. Where the Escort had a back seat, the EXP had cargo space. It was the first two-seat Ford since the original Thunderbird. Wikipedia lists three plants: Wayne, Michigan; Milpitas, California; and St. Thomas, Ontario.
| Model years | Engine | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| 1984-1985 | 1.6-liter CVH four, 70 hp, or 80 hp in High Output form | Turbo Coupe from 1984, 120 hp, built by Ford's SVO |
| 1985.5-1988 | 1.9-liter CVH four | Luxury Coupe at 90 hp, fuel-injected from 1987; Sport Coupe at 106 hp, then 115 hp for 1987 |
EPA lists a 3-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual for every year from 1984 to 1988. Wikipedia gives production of 23,016 for 1984, 26,462 for 1985, 30,978 for 1986 and 25,888 for 1987. Ford finished the final EXP in October 1988, past the 225,000 mark.
Recalls NHTSA lists for the EXP
NHTSA's recall file ties three campaigns to the EXP. Each one also covered other Fords, so confirm a specific car by its VIN.
- 83V134, model year 1984: the notice says "the bolts that attach the D-shaped ring for the shoulder belt are inadequately supported," so the anchorage fell short of the federal standard. Dealers fitted stronger hardware.
- 89V095, listed under 1984: the notice describes "external cracks above the number 3 cylinder (1984 models) or rocker arm cover gaskets splitting (1985 models)." Either could let oil drip onto the exhaust manifold and start an engine fire. The fix was a new cylinder head or new gaskets.
- 96V071, model year 1988: an internal short in the ignition switch could cause "overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area." The campaign reached 7.9 million vehicles, and dealers replaced the switch.
A nearly empty complaint file
NHTSA holds seven complaints filed under the EXP. Both of the 1989 filings describe other vehicles, one of them a 1998 Expedition, which leaves five.
- 1987 (two): an ignition switch that shuts the car off and turns it back on by itself, and an engine failure.
- 1988 (three): one car caught fire in the steering column area after sitting in Park, even though the owner said the 96V071 work had been done. Another owner said the recall repair left the power steering and headlights dead and the battery drained.
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns listed |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 0 | 2 |
| 1985 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | 2 | 0 |
| 1988 | 3 | 1 |
On October 10, 2026, NHTSA's EXP files held these figures.
Fix it or let it go?
With so few records, the file gives little warning about what tends to fail. Start with a VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If the engine is gone or rust has set in, get a repair estimate and weigh it against the price of a working EXP. Unless you plan to restore the EXP, sell it as it sits.
Selling the EXP
- Find the VIN and the title. No title? See junk car with no title.
- Ask for an offer online or call (877) 421-6008.
- Say where it's parked, and whether the tires hold air and the wheels turn. A car that has sat for years may need a winch; our car sitting for years page covers that.
- Keep it complete, and mention anything that's missing.
- Sign over the title at pickup. After you sell has the plate rules for your state.
Related Fords: the Escort, the Thunderbird, or all Ford models.
Questions people ask
- Was the EXP just an Escort with two seats?
- Mechanically, close to it. It shared the Escort's powertrain and chassis, and the space where an Escort has a back seat became cargo room. The 1985.5-1988 cars also got an interior redesigned to match the Escort line.
- Could the ignition switch recall still be open on my 1988 EXP?
- Only a VIN check will tell you. Recall 96V071, from April 1996, swapped ignition switches on 7.9 million Fords in all. Enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Will you buy an EXP that hasn't run in years?
- Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US. Tell us whether the wheels turn and where the car is parked.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 10, 2026.
- NHTSA complaints API, Ford EXP by model year (pulled October 10, 2026; 1988 shown) api.nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA complaints API, Ford EXP, model year 1989 (filings that describe other vehicles) api.nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 96V071: ignition switch api.nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 89V095: oil leaks onto the exhaust manifold api.nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 83V134: shoulder belt D-ring anchorage api.nhtsa.gov
- Wikipedia: Ford EXP (generations, engines, plants, production) en.wikipedia.org
- fueleconomy.gov: 1984 Ford EXP fueleconomy.gov
- fueleconomy.gov: 1988 Ford EXP fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov