Illustration1997 FORD ESCORT RUBBER FILL PIPE DETERIORATES SPILLING GASOLINE ON GROUND WHEN REFILLING FUEL TANK. *TR
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
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
13 reportsDT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ESCORT. WHILE HE DRIVING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING THERE WERE FUEL FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES FOR THE FUMES TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. WHILE IDLING THE FUEL FUMES WERE WORSE UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE FUMES BECOME SO BAD AT TI…
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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ESCORT. WHILE HE DRIVING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING THERE WERE FUEL FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES FOR THE FUMES TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. WHILE IDLING THE FUEL FUMES WERE WORSE UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE FUMES BECOME SO BAD AT TIMES THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER AND LET THE VEHICLE AIR OUT. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS THE PERCH VALVE INSIDE THE GAS TANK THAT RELEASED THE FUMES. THE FUEL PUMP WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAS NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP.*JB
HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ENGINE IDLING. LOUD NOISE SUCH AS METAL ON METAL EMINATED FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALER. ADVISED BY DEALER THAT PART POORLY DESIGNED AND NEW DESIGN IN STOCK FOR REPLACEMENT. THERMOSTAT REMAINED OPEN NOT ALLOWING ENGINE TO REACH OPER…
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HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ENGINE IDLING. LOUD NOISE SUCH AS METAL ON METAL EMINATED FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALER. ADVISED BY DEALER THAT PART POORLY DESIGNED AND NEW DESIGN IN STOCK FOR REPLACEMENT. THERMOSTAT REMAINED OPEN NOT ALLOWING ENGINE TO REACH OPERATING TEMPERATURE. WHEN REPLACED, THE ORIGINAL THERMOSTAT CAME OUT OF HOUSING IN THREE SEPARATE PIECES. FUEL PUMP MADE WHINING NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. REPLACED AT NO CHARGE. *AK
MY CONCERN IS THAT FORD MAY HAVE DEFAULTED FUEL TANKS FOR THIS CAR MODEL. I DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING, OR DO ANYTHING TO CAUSE MY FUEL TANK TO LEAK GAS. THE LEAK IS RIGHT ON THE SEAM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TANK, WHERE THE MANUFACTURER HAD PUT IT TOGETHER. I FILL UP MY TANK ONE DAY AND NOTICE GAS POURING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH. I HA…
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MY CONCERN IS THAT FORD MAY HAVE DEFAULTED FUEL TANKS FOR THIS CAR MODEL. I DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING, OR DO ANYTHING TO CAUSE MY FUEL TANK TO LEAK GAS. THE LEAK IS RIGHT ON THE SEAM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TANK, WHERE THE MANUFACTURER HAD PUT IT TOGETHER. I FILL UP MY TANK ONE DAY AND NOTICE GAS POURING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW LONG IT WAS LEAKING BEFORE I NOTICED IT, THEREFORE I WAS DRIVING AROUND A TIMEBOMB JUST WAITING TO BLOW UP. BY THE SIMPLE ACT OF SOMEONE FLICKING A CIGARETTE OUT OF THEIR WINDOW, OR IF SOMEONE RAN INTO ME. MY CAR COULD BLOW UP AT ANY TIME. THAT IS WHY I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT TO PREVENT SUCH DEATH FROM HAPPENING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS REPAIRED, BUT PROBLEM RETURNED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
WITHIN 4 MTHS HAD PROBLEM W/ TRANSMISSION, TOOK 4 MINS FOR DEALER TO SAY THERES NOTHING WRONG, WHEN I GOT MY NEW TIRES FOR PEPBOYS I HAD TO FIX MY BRAKES, TRANSMISSION,SUSPENSION, EVEN GOT SPEED TICKETS FOR NO REASON,I KEEP MY CAR IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND I STILL HAVE MY ENGINE LIGHT ON AND I HAVE ABOUT 70% OF THE SAME PROBLEM…
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WITHIN 4 MTHS HAD PROBLEM W/ TRANSMISSION, TOOK 4 MINS FOR DEALER TO SAY THERES NOTHING WRONG, WHEN I GOT MY NEW TIRES FOR PEPBOYS I HAD TO FIX MY BRAKES, TRANSMISSION,SUSPENSION, EVEN GOT SPEED TICKETS FOR NO REASON,I KEEP MY CAR IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND I STILL HAVE MY ENGINE LIGHT ON AND I HAVE ABOUT 70% OF THE SAME PROBLEMS OTHERS HAVE IN THE NHTSACMPLT SECTION. I THINK THE ESCORT SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR SO MANY UNSAFE PROBLEMS.( DOT NUMBER: UJ956KLP12 TIRE SIZE: P19570R14 )
HEAD GASKET FAILURE, RESULTING IN CRACKED PISTONS AND DAMAGED CRANK. FAILED FUEL PUMP/THERMOSTAT. *AK
SMELLED GAS FUMES IN CAR. BROUGHT TO DEALER. FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING DUE TO COMING APART AT THE SEAMS. TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $400.
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.