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
44,532 miles · Jul 10, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STALLING OUT.*MR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO IDLE AND ALMOST STALL AT EVERY STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE FIVE TIMES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *TS. THE SPARK WIRES WERE REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WAS CLEANED, THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONT…
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PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STALLING OUT.*MR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO IDLE AND ALMOST STALL AT EVERY STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE FIVE TIMES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *TS. THE SPARK WIRES WERE REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WAS CLEANED, THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED, THE DEALER THEN DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS CARBON BUILD UP, AND IT WAS EXPLAINED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN THE NEW HEADS SHOULD HAVE REVISED VALVE GUIDES AND EXHAUST VALVES TO PREVENT CARBON BUILD UP *JB
NHTSA ODI #10029631
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2003
Air Bags
CONSUMER NOTICED A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10026929
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2003
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicFire
CONSUMER REQUESTING RESTITUTION FOR A HOUSE FIRE THAT WAS CAUSED BY A VEHICLE FIRE.*MR *TS. PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BRAKES SQUEAKING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10029630
80,000 miles · Jul 3, 2003
Suspension
REAR SPRINGS ON MY ESCORT I BELIEVE TO BE CHEAPLY MADE. BOTH HAVE BUSTED. I HAVE FOUND THAT MY ESCORT IS NOT THE ONLY ONE. THERE ARE MANY OTHER ESCORTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10025385
Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2003
Electrical SystemFire
PROBLEMS WITH WIRING HARNESS RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE. *MR WHILE THE CONSUMER PROCEEDED THROUGH A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACT ERRATICALLY, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT LATER CAUGHT FIRE AWAITING DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THERE WAS A RECALL RELA…
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PROBLEMS WITH WIRING HARNESS RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE. *MR WHILE THE CONSUMER PROCEEDED THROUGH A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACT ERRATICALLY, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT LATER CAUGHT FIRE AWAITING DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THIS FAILURE BUT THE CONSUMER DIDN'T RECEIVED THE NOTICED PRIOR TO THE FIRE (RECALL # 02V323000). THE CONSUMER ALSO REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SCC *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10026603
95,000 miles · Jun 30, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS CAUSED BY AN OIL SENSOR FAILURE DUE TO A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN WHICH RUSTED THE BELTS PER MECHANIC.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10026248
67,005 miles · Jun 24, 2003
Suspension
I HAD TAKEN MY 1997 FORD ESCORT IN FOR ITS ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION, WHERE MY REAR SPRINGS WERE REPLACED AT MY COST. THE MECHANIC WORKING ON MY CAR HAD FOUND THAT BOTH OF THE ORIGINAL FACTORY REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN DIRECTLY BELOW THEIR PLASTIC COVERING ABOUT ONE-FIFTH FROM THE TOP OF THE SPRING. HE HAD SAID THAT THERE WERE SE…
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I HAD TAKEN MY 1997 FORD ESCORT IN FOR ITS ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION, WHERE MY REAR SPRINGS WERE REPLACED AT MY COST. THE MECHANIC WORKING ON MY CAR HAD FOUND THAT BOTH OF THE ORIGINAL FACTORY REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN DIRECTLY BELOW THEIR PLASTIC COVERING ABOUT ONE-FIFTH FROM THE TOP OF THE SPRING. HE HAD SAID THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL ESCORTS THAT HE HAD WORKED ON THAT HAD THE SAME BREAKAGE AT THE SAME SECTION OF EACH OF THE REAR SPRINGS. HE HAD ADVISED ME TO CHECK TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS POSTED ON THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ALSO TOLD TO BUY A NEW SET OF REAR TIRES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AS MY PRESENT ONES HAVE IRREGULAR WEAR. *JB I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS OR WILL BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10023711
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2003
Air Bags
RECALL 02V323000, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT AFTER HAVING RECALL DONE FOR INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR CONTAMINATION DEALER HAD INSTALLED THE SHIELD OVER THE IABM ,AND APPLIED NYOGEL GREASE TO THE CONNECTOR ONE MONTH AFTER CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE WIRES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10024761
Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2003
Air Bags
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONSTANTLY. CONSUMER HAD RECEIVED A RECALL WHICH IT STATED THAT VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE A SHELL ON TOP OF THE CABLE SO THAT AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON, BUT AFTER SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GET IT FIXED THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE. DEALER WILL ONLY FIX IT IF THE CONSUMER PAYS FOR IT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10024615
Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2003
Air Bags
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 02V323000 CONCERNING INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR CONTAMINATION. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON 6/17/2003. WHEN THE OWNER RECEIVED THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST HAS TO BE DONE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. CONSUME…
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AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 02V323000 CONCERNING INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR CONTAMINATION. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON 6/17/2003. WHEN THE OWNER RECEIVED THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST HAS TO BE DONE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. CONSUMER REQUESTED A CALL FROM THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER.*AK
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
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