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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 →

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 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control

UPON ACCELARATION TO 35MPH, THE GAS PEDAL VOLUNTARILY DROPPED TOWARDS THE FLOORBOARD. THE TACHOMETER WAS REDLINING WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, AT THIS POINT THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT APPOX. 50MPH. WHEN THE GEAR LEVER WAS MOVED INTO NEUTRAL THE CAR CONTINUED TO REV AT 7000 RMP'S UNTIL THE KEY WAS SHUT OFF. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE…

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UPON ACCELARATION TO 35MPH, THE GAS PEDAL VOLUNTARILY DROPPED TOWARDS THE FLOORBOARD. THE TACHOMETER WAS REDLINING WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, AT THIS POINT THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT APPOX. 50MPH. WHEN THE GEAR LEVER WAS MOVED INTO NEUTRAL THE CAR CONTINUED TO REV AT 7000 RMP'S UNTIL THE KEY WAS SHUT OFF. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO REV AT REDLING RPM'S ONCE AGAIN. FROM THAT POINT IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #703296

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

THERE IS A HOLE IN GAS TANK WHICH MAKES A WAY FOR THE GAS TO GET OUT OF THE TANK. CONSUMER DOESN'T KNOW HOW OR WHEN THE HOLE GOT IN THE TANK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #834788

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE SHOE PIN FAILED. MJS

NHTSA ODI #606933

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Unknown Or Other

ON TWO OCCASIONS THE DASHBOARD "ENGINE LIGHT" WILL NOT GO OFF. *YC

NHTSA ODI #606678

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Structure

RUBBER DOOR SEAL FAILED. YH

NHTSA ODI #606551

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

EXHAUST TAIL PIPE FAILED. YH

NHTSA ODI #606532

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

ERG CONNECTOR FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #606284

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES A POPPING/GRINDING SOUND OCCURS, AN VEHICLE TAKES A LONGER TIME TO STOP. OWNER'S DAUGHTER WAS IN VEHICLE CRASH DUE TO LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. *AK`

NHTSA ODI #833797

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 1999
Electrical System

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN IT SUDDENLY STOP WITHOUT NOTICE. IT WAS DAYTIME AND I HAD MY 13 YEAR OLD GRANDSON WITH ME. WE GOT THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WENT TO THE NEAREST HOUSE. THE WOMEN ADVISED ME THAT HER HUSBAND WAS A MECHANIC AND HE WOULD LOOK AT THE CAR WHEN HE RETURNED FROM A ERRAND. UPON THE MECHANIC ARRIVAL…

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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN IT SUDDENLY STOP WITHOUT NOTICE. IT WAS DAYTIME AND I HAD MY 13 YEAR OLD GRANDSON WITH ME. WE GOT THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WENT TO THE NEAREST HOUSE. THE WOMEN ADVISED ME THAT HER HUSBAND WAS A MECHANIC AND HE WOULD LOOK AT THE CAR WHEN HE RETURNED FROM A ERRAND. UPON THE MECHANIC ARRIVAL--NOT ASSOCIATED WITH FORD MOTORS--HE LOOKED AT THE CAR AND SAID YOU HAVE A FUSE PROBLEM. HE OPEN THE HOOD AND THE FUSE COMPARTMENT. AFTER 20 SECONDS HE PUSH A FUSE BACK IN AND THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT PROBLEMS. HE ADVISED ME THAT LOOSE FUSES ON NEWER FORDS WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT WHILE THIS HAPPENED IN THE DAY WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT WHILE I WAS TRAVELLING ON A DARK INTERSTATE HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE LANE. A STALL OUT CAUSED MY AN ELECTRICAL FUSE FAILURE COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT . I'M ALSO CONCERNED WITH THE MECHANICS STATEMENT THAT THIS HAPPENS ON A LOT OF NEWER FORD. HE ALSO SAID SOMETHING ABOUT AUTO MANUFACTURERS GETTING AROUND THIS WITH "SILENT RECALLS". NO PROBLEM UNLESS YOU COMPLAIN. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHETHER MY INCIDENT IS ISOLATED OR THE MECHANIC IS RIGHT THAT THIS IS HAPPENING BUT ITS A SILENT MATTER.

NHTSA ODI #702050

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE OWNERS FOOT HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND RAN INTO A TREE. OWNER SAYS THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. *AK *YH

NHTSA ODI #832177

Official recalls

1

02V323000 · 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

2

EA02008 · 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.