IllustrationTHE DRIVER'S SEAT REMAINS IN THE DOWN POSITION ONLY. *JB
1997 Ford Escort
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Escort years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Ford Escort are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escort years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 100 of 543 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 152 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 114 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
66 crash reports83 fire reports52 injury reports
What owners actually said
543 reportsCONSUMER WAS PROCEEDING THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT WHEN ANOTHER CAR TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MPH HIT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. THE CONSUMERS CAR WENT INTO A SPIN. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *NLM
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE 02V323000 WHICH WAS REMEDIED ON 4-6-03, HOWEVER ON 4-7-03, WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A "BURNING" SMELL AND SMOKE COMING THE FROM DASHBOARD AREA. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND WHEN HE RETURNED FOR VEHICLE THE NEXT DAY, IT CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO A COOLANT LEAK ONTO THE AIRBAG FRONTAL CONTROL MODULE.…
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THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE 02V323000 WHICH WAS REMEDIED ON 4-6-03, HOWEVER ON 4-7-03, WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A "BURNING" SMELL AND SMOKE COMING THE FROM DASHBOARD AREA. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND WHEN HE RETURNED FOR VEHICLE THE NEXT DAY, IT CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO A COOLANT LEAK ONTO THE AIRBAG FRONTAL CONTROL MODULE. *JB
SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE IN 1999 THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED FOUR DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES. THE FIRST FAILURE IN 04/01 RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE AIRBAG MODULE DUE TO LEAKAGE FROM THE HEATER CORE. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE WAS IN 10/02. NLM
THE REAR WINDOW ON MY 1997 FORD ESCORT SHATTERED WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER THE CARPORT. THE WINDOW EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30 P.M. CDT. THERE WAS NO PRIOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE WINDOW. THERE WAS NO VANDALISM INVOLVED, MONROE POLICE DEPT. WAS CALLED AND THEY FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF A C…
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THE REAR WINDOW ON MY 1997 FORD ESCORT SHATTERED WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER THE CARPORT. THE WINDOW EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30 P.M. CDT. THERE WAS NO PRIOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE WINDOW. THERE WAS NO VANDALISM INVOLVED, MONROE POLICE DEPT. WAS CALLED AND THEY FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF A CRIMINAL ACT. ON OBSERVING THE WINDOW, THE OFFICERS COMMENTED THAT THE WINDOW SHATTERED FROM THE INSIDE. THERE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A STRUCTURAL DEFECT IN THE WINDOW. *NLM
I HAVE A 1997 FORD ESCORT. AT APPROXIMATELY. 37,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRED SERVICE. TOOK CAR TO BOARD FORD IN WHITTIER, CA. TWO DAYS AFTER SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. BOARD FORD ALLOWED AN ESP FOR POWER TRAIN AND REPLACED TRANSMISSION. AT TIME OF REPLACEMENT, BOARD FORD INDICATED THE NEW POWER TRAIN WAS WARRAN…
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I HAVE A 1997 FORD ESCORT. AT APPROXIMATELY. 37,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRED SERVICE. TOOK CAR TO BOARD FORD IN WHITTIER, CA. TWO DAYS AFTER SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. BOARD FORD ALLOWED AN ESP FOR POWER TRAIN AND REPLACED TRANSMISSION. AT TIME OF REPLACEMENT, BOARD FORD INDICATED THE NEW POWER TRAIN WAS WARRANTED FOR 75,000 MILES. AT APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES ON THE NEW POWER TRAIN, IT LITERALLY EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT (COMPLETELY CRACKED THE CORE). CALLED BOARD FORD AND FORD MOTOR AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE CAR HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT, THE POWER TRAIN WASN'T WARRANTED EVEN THOUGH THE POWER TRAIN ONLY HAS 45,000.00 MILES ON IT.*JB
THE CONSUMER VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS OF RECALL 02-V-323-000 WHICH REFERENCED THE AIR BAG MONITOR. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS HIGH. *NLM
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB
THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED AROUND CHILD'S NECK AND ALMOST CAUSED A FATAL INJURY. THE RETRACTOR WOULD NOT RELEASE. *NLM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED AROUND CHILD'S NECK AND ALMOST CAUSED A FATAL INJURY. THE RETRACTOR WOULD NOT RELEASE. *MR
BOTH REAR SPRINGS FOUND BROKEN AT STATE INSPECTION. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND IT IS THE FIRST THING THAT THE INSPECTORS LOOK AT BECAUSE OF THIS. EVIDENTLY VERY WELL KNOWN IN THE TRADE. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT. EVIDENTLY THIS OCCURRED "QUITE AWHILE AGO". I NOW HAVE TO SPEND $250.00 TO FIX IT. IF THIS I…
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BOTH REAR SPRINGS FOUND BROKEN AT STATE INSPECTION. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND IT IS THE FIRST THING THAT THE INSPECTORS LOOK AT BECAUSE OF THIS. EVIDENTLY VERY WELL KNOWN IN THE TRADE. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT. EVIDENTLY THIS OCCURRED "QUITE AWHILE AGO". I NOW HAVE TO SPEND $250.00 TO FIX IT. IF THIS IS THAT COMMON WHY HAS FORD EVIDENTLY CHOSEN TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM? *NLM
Official recalls
102V323000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Dec 9, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR (IABM) CAN BE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER OR OTHER LIQUIDS AND COULD EXPERIENCE INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORTING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY, IN TURN, CAUSE THE AIR BAG READINESS LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND IN VERY RARE OCCURRENCES, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, MELTED WIRING, OR FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE SHIELD OVER THE IABM AND APPLY NYOGEL GREASE TO THE CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 11, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA02008 · Water Intrusion Into Airbag Monitor
Opened Jun 10, 2002 · Closed Dec 11, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
BY LETTER OF DECEMBER 6, 2002, FORD NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON ALL 1997 FORD ESCORT AND MERCURY TRACER VEHICLES.FORD FOUND THAT ELECTRICAL SHORTING OF THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR (IABM)DUE TO LIQUID INTRUSION OF WATER OR ENGINE COOLANT CAN OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.FORD AND LINCOLN MERCURY DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE SHIELD OVER THE IABM AND APPLY NYOGEL GREASE TO IT'S ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.SEE FORD'S DECEMBER 6, 2002 DEFECT AND NONCOMPLIANCE INFORMATION REPORT FOR DETAILS.
PE02010 · Integrated Air Bag Monitor Water
Opened Jan 30, 2002 · Closed Jun 10, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
No summary supplied.