IllustrationSIDEWALL SEPARATION AT TURN-UP. *AK (DOT NUMBER: MD7J A6WR TIRESIZE: P185/65R14)
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 reportsAIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING AND NO COLLISION OR IMPACT TO THE SENSORS FOR THE AIR BAGS, BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER BAGS WENT OFF AND ALSO HAD BROKEN THE WINDSHIELD. *AK
USUALLY AFTER GETTING THE BRAKES SERVICED BRAKES WILL MAKE A REAL LOUSD NOISE WHNE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
VEHICLE WAS IN FOR TIRE ROTATION, MECHANIC NOTICED BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE CRACKED. AS MECHANIC REMOVED ONE OF THE WHEELS COIL SPRING BROKE/ FLEW ACROSS THE AREA, AND BROKE SHOP WINDOW. BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE VENTS AREA, AFTER PARKING VEHICLE, ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT, AND VEHICLE WOULD SMOKE AGAIN AND SPARKS COULD BE SEEN. THIS CAUSED DASHBORAD AND OTHER FRONT AREA OF THE VEHICLE TO BURN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WENT FOR AN INSPECTION FOR MY ESCORT AND THE DEALER SAID THAT MY SPRINGS WERE BROKEN IN THE REAR. THEY ALSO SAID THAT IT WAS COMMON FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THEY WERE BAD WHEN THE CAR WAS DRIVEN, AS A MATTER OF FACT THE CAR DROVE PERFECTLY. THIS IS VERY SUSPICIUOS TO ME BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER SEEN OR HEARD …
Read full complaint
WENT FOR AN INSPECTION FOR MY ESCORT AND THE DEALER SAID THAT MY SPRINGS WERE BROKEN IN THE REAR. THEY ALSO SAID THAT IT WAS COMMON FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THEY WERE BAD WHEN THE CAR WAS DRIVEN, AS A MATTER OF FACT THE CAR DROVE PERFECTLY. THIS IS VERY SUSPICIUOS TO ME BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF COIL SPRINGS BREAKING BEFOR ON ANY VEHICLE. IS THIS A WAY FOR CAR COMPANYS TO MAKE THE CONSUMER FOOT THE BILL AND TOSS YOU A BONE TO MAKE YOU HAPPY. I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE NOT BROKEN AND IS A MAJOR COVER UP FOR FORDS ALREADY POOR REPUTATION!
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM A LOOSE WIRE, ONE PERSON WAS INJURED, CLAIM 40-2555-468. *SLC
THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNDER THE DASH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE WHEN IT WAS PARKED. *YH
ENGINE STALLED AT 55 MPH. AFTER THE REPAIR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE DEALER COULDNT FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THE EGR VALVE. *AK
GOODYEAR, CONQUEST TIRE DOT MDJ1AGWR246, 195/65R14 SIZE. TIRES HAD RIPPED FROM INSIDE ALONG SIDEWALL. TIRES WERE ORIGINALS ON A 1997, FORD, ESCORT. *AK *SLC
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.