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 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
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.
1997 Ford Escort Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year