Across the 7 model years we’ve synced, NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns and 1,858 owner complaints for the Ford Escort. The 1997 model year has the most complaints (559).
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | NCAP overall | MPG comb. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 88 | 7 | Not rated | 26 | |
| 2001 | 1 | 99 | 15 | Not rated | 26 | |
| 2000 | 2 | 150 | 26 | Not rated | 27 | |
| 1999 | 2 | 350 | 81 | Not rated | 27 | |
| 1998 | 1 | 389 | 85 | Not rated | 27 | |
| 1997 | 2 | 559 | 66 | Not rated | 27 | |
| 1996 | 1 | 223 | 25 | Not rated | 25 |
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 223 |
| 1997 | 559 |
| 1998 | 389 |
| 1999 | 350 |
| 2000 | 150 |
| 2001 | 99 |
| 2002 | 88 |
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
CERTAIN TRW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED ON DECEMBER 6 AND 9, 2002, FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1997 FORD ESCORT 4-DOOR AND STATION WAGON PLATFORM VEHICLES, FORD'S P/N F7CZ54611B09AAC. THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT A NO-LOCK CONDITION WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.