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
Mileage unknown · May 16, 2003
Suspension
THE REAR SUSPENSION IN MY CAR IS ALL OUT OF WHACK. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE REAR SPRINGS. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS LIKE WITH REAR SUSPENSION IN THESE CARS. I DRIVE AN ESCORT WAGON. I DON'T GO OFF ROADING SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE REAR SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. SEEMS LIKE THIS COULD…
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THE REAR SUSPENSION IN MY CAR IS ALL OUT OF WHACK. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE REAR SPRINGS. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS LIKE WITH REAR SUSPENSION IN THESE CARS. I DRIVE AN ESCORT WAGON. I DON'T GO OFF ROADING SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE REAR SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. SEEMS LIKE THIS COULD BE AN ISSUE OF A FAULTY PART OR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. WHEN I HAVE PEOPLE IN THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR THE HANDLING IS AWFUL AND I HAVE TO GO REALLY SLOW OVER ANY SORT OF BUMP BECAUSE THE CAR WILL BOTTOM OUT! JUST THOUGHT OTHERS MAY BE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10018804
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2003
Equipment
LTR FM AGNES VANANTWERP (FL) MR THE CONSUMER SEEKED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR OF LEAKAGE IN THE EVAPORATOR WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE AIR BAG MONITOR DOT 2003-2332. SINCE THEN, THERE WAS CONDENSATION IN THE A/C WHEN IN USE AND CAUSED THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO FILL WITH WATER. SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10019735
106,000 miles · May 13, 2003
StructureCrashInjury
MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. SHE AND MY TWO CHILDREN WERE CHOPPERED TO A TRAUMA UNIT. MY 10 WEEK OLD SON WAS IN THE EVENFLO ON MY WAY SYSTEM AND THE BASE BROKE APART UPON IMPACT. THE SYSTEM HELD HIM IN PLACE, BUT MY CONCERN IS WITH THE BASE BREAKING APART. MODEL#4921B7P2 MANUFACTURED 14 JAN98. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10018606
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2003
Air BagsFire
THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR RECALL REPAIRS ON THE AIR BAG MODULE ON 5/5/2003 TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO THE REPAIRS WITHOUT AN EXPLANATION. ON 5/8/2003 THE AIR BAG MODULE SHORT CIRCUITED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. RECALL # 02V323000. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10019545
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2003
Electrical System
THE HORN ACTIVATED BY ITSELF WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10019427
Mileage unknown · May 7, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND GIVEN A TUNE UP. A DAY LATER THE ENGINE SIEZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TOT HE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10019381
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2003
Electrical System
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FUSE BLOWN ALONG WITH TAIL LIGHT, TURN SIGNAL, BRAKE LIGHT AND RADIO NOT FUNCTIONING. FOUND MELTED WIRES UNDER DASH BY THE FUSE BLOCK MAKING THE IGNITION BELL RING WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION. SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER DASH. SERVICE DEALER CLAIMS IT WILL BE IN EXCESS OF $2000.00 TO REPAIR.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10016960
25,000 miles · May 1, 2003
Air Bags
THE AIR BAG BURNED THE VEHICLES DASH. THIS OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE CONSUMER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTIFICATION (RECALL NUMBER 02V-323000). *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10017982
Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2003
Air BagsCrash
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED 3 TO 4 MINUTES LATER, AND THEN SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE AIR BAGS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10017925
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2003
Air Bags
NAR 04/28/2003 MR THE CONSUMER RECIEVED SAFETY RECALL #(02S44) REGARDING AIR BAG MONITORS. PRIOR TO THAT THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING ON, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE REPAIRS MADE AND IT COST OVER $500.00 FOR A PROBLEM THAT MAY HAVE ALREADY EXISTED IN REFERENCE TO THE RECALL. *CB
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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