IllustrationWHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM. THE PLASTIC LENS THAT COVERED THE HEADLIGHTS WAS FROSTED. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
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 DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE HIS VEHICLE FOR TWO-THREE DAYS TO HAVE RECALL WORK PERFORMED. *PH (RECALL #023V23000) *JB
RECALL #02V323000 - FORD ESCORT. LAST MAY 2003 I HAD THE MY CAR RECALLED FOR THE ABOVE. THIS WEEK MY AIR BAG MONITOR LIGHT WAS BLINKING - BLINK CODE 5-2. THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR(IABM) FAILED - BLINK CODE 5-2. WITHIN 12 MONTHS AND 12,000 MILES OF THE RECALL MY IABM FAILS, AND THE RECALL DOESN'T COVER THE IABM, BUT J…
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RECALL #02V323000 - FORD ESCORT. LAST MAY 2003 I HAD THE MY CAR RECALLED FOR THE ABOVE. THIS WEEK MY AIR BAG MONITOR LIGHT WAS BLINKING - BLINK CODE 5-2. THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR(IABM) FAILED - BLINK CODE 5-2. WITHIN 12 MONTHS AND 12,000 MILES OF THE RECALL MY IABM FAILS, AND THE RECALL DOESN'T COVER THE IABM, BUT JUST A SHIELD AND GREASE. SHOULDN'T THE RECALL COVER THE FAILING INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR. *JB
AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT WATER GOT INTO THE AIR BAG SYSTEM, AND DAMAGED IT AND WIRING HARNESS. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL 02V323000, BUT THE DAMAGED PARTS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. CONSUMER INDICATED HE NEVER …
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AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT WATER GOT INTO THE AIR BAG SYSTEM, AND DAMAGED IT AND WIRING HARNESS. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL 02V323000, BUT THE DAMAGED PARTS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. CONSUMER INDICATED HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V323000 WHEN I RECEIVED THE LETTER FROM FORD IT SAID THAT THE RECALL WAS FOR THE AIR BAG MODULE. IT DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT JUST PUTTING A PLASTIC COVERING OVER THE MODULE. THE MODULE IN MY CAR WAS ALREADY SHORTED OUT AND IS NO GOOD. I MADE A COMPLAINT ABOUT HIS IN EARLY 2002. I SPOKE WITH AN …
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NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V323000 WHEN I RECEIVED THE LETTER FROM FORD IT SAID THAT THE RECALL WAS FOR THE AIR BAG MODULE. IT DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT JUST PUTTING A PLASTIC COVERING OVER THE MODULE. THE MODULE IN MY CAR WAS ALREADY SHORTED OUT AND IS NO GOOD. I MADE A COMPLAINT ABOUT HIS IN EARLY 2002. I SPOKE WITH AN NHTSA INVESTIGATOR ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND MONTHS LATER IS WHEN THE RECALL HAPPENED. BUT IT NOT EVEN A RECALL FOR A FIX TO THE PROBLEM I ALREADY HAD. KEEPING THE WATER OUT OF A BAD MODULE IS NOT HELPING ME AT ALL. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE MODULE WOULD BE REPLACED. HOW CAN THE DEALER SEE THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE IS SHORTED OUT AND JUST PUT A PLASTIC COVERING ON IT AND GIVE IT BACK TO US WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT STILL ON? *JB
MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 02544 CONCERNING HEATER CORE FAILURE. HEATER CORE FLUID DRIPPED ON THE AIR BAG MODULE, CAUSING A SHORT. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ONCE, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER SUDDENLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT NEITHER OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHICH RESULTED IN SOME INJURIES. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *NM
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED, AS IS. HOWEVER, THE OWNER WAS TOLD THAT IF THERE WERE ANY SAFETY FEATURES THAT WERE EFFECTED, THE DEALERSHIP WOULD REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PAY FOR TOWING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THEIR LOT. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER SUSTAINED FACIAL INJURIES. ONE WEEK LATER CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER.*AK
TOOK CAR (1997 FORD ESCORT) TO SHOP FOR ROUTINE STATE INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED TO PASS INSPECTION. I WAS VERY SURPRISED SINCE THE CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN VERY CONSERVATIVELY. MECHANIC STATED THAT PREMATURE FAILURE OF REAR SUS…
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TOOK CAR (1997 FORD ESCORT) TO SHOP FOR ROUTINE STATE INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED TO PASS INSPECTION. I WAS VERY SURPRISED SINCE THE CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN VERY CONSERVATIVELY. MECHANIC STATED THAT PREMATURE FAILURE OF REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCORTS. REQUEST GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO MAKE FORD CO. REIMBURSE CONSUMER EXPENSE CAUSED BY FAULTY COIL SPRINGS. *CB
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.