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1996 Ford Escort

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Escort years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Ford Escort are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.

About this comparison →
205Owner complaints

Model-year median: 101

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
379
1993279
1994576
1995205
1996543
1997375
1998325
1999
Compare all Escort years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Seat Belts
77Engine And Engine Cooling
30Power Train
19Air Bags
18Electrical System
14
All reported categories
Suspension
13Service Brakes, Hydraulic
10Steering
10Fuel System, Gasoline
8Unknown Or Other
6Vehicle Speed Control
5Seats
4Structure
4Tires
4Latches/locks/linkages
3Wheels
3Fuel System, Other
2Equipment
1Exterior Lighting
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Interior Lighting
1Parking Brake
1

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: 21 of 205 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.

  • Seat Belts. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports7 fire reports18 injury reports

Power Train complaints

19 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 1999
Power Train

SPEEDOMTER IS MALFUNCTIONING FOR 3RD TIME IN 3 YEARS. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE WITHOUT CHARGING OVER $400. A SPEEDOMETER SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 1 YEAR!! PLEASE HELP ME AND OTHER ESCORT OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. THANKS.

NHTSA ODI #714357

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

NO SUMMARY.

NHTSA ODI #712605

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING AN INCORRECT READING WHICH IS HIGHER THAN IT SHOULD BE. DEALER REPLACE SPEEDOMETER 3 TIMES. ALSO ENGINE PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #847853

Mileage unknown · May 14, 1998
Power Train

SPEEDOMETER FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #535523

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 1998
Power Train

SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE JUMPS AROUND WHEN SPEEDS OVER 50-55 MPH ARE REACHED. IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AN COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #534511

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 1998
Power TrainWheels

WHEELS OUT OF ROUND ON DELIVERY CAUSING VIBRATION.

NHTSA ODI #530270

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 1997
Power Train

SODA SPILLED ON RED GEAR SHIFT RELEASE BUTTON, PREVENTING GEARS FROM ENGAGING WHEN BUTTON IS DEPRESSED.

NHTSA ODI #518410

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 1997
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

BRAKE ROTORS FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #603163

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 1996
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

BRAKE FAILURE, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, LOSS OF COMPLETE EFFECTIVENESS. *AK WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. CV JOINT FAILURE. STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #987058

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.