IllustrationVEHICLE EXPERIENCED NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG WHEN IMPACTED IN THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE CAR. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER). NLM
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 reportsVEHICLE EXPERINCES 2 INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ACCELRATION RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISIONS. YH
MECHANIC WAS TOLD BY PRTS SUPPLIERS THIS PART IN '97 ESCORTS "ARE DROPPING LIKE FLIES"-TO ME THAT IS BAD DESIGN AND POSSIBLY A HAZARD TO DRIVERS WHEN THIS PART FAILS.I WAS LUCKY AND GOING VERY SLOW SPEED WHEN MINE BROKE LOOSE.
WHILE STARTING VEHICLE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF. ACCIDENT OCCURRED. DEALER NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY SLIPPED OFF THE SHAFT AND LODGED AGAINST THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND HAD TO BE TOWED IN FOR REPAIR. NEITHER FORD NOR FIDELITY WARRANTY SERVICE, INC. (EXTENDED WARRANTY PURCHASED AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM THE D…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY SLIPPED OFF THE SHAFT AND LODGED AGAINST THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND HAD TO BE TOWED IN FOR REPAIR. NEITHER FORD NOR FIDELITY WARRANTY SERVICE, INC. (EXTENDED WARRANTY PURCHASED AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER, WOULD COVER THE REPAIR.
WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED IT HAS TO BE PUMPED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE BRAKES RESPOND. ALSO, THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. IT CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK.ET
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FELL OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. *AK
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS ON REAR LEFT/ RIGHT IS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. *AK
THE ENGINE REVS HIGH WITHOUT GAS PEDAL BEING APPLIED. VEHICLE ALSO ACCELERATES AFTER BRAKE APPLICATION. DEALER CAN'T FIX PROBLEM. *AK
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.