Model year record

1997 Ford Escort

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 729 owner complaints on file.

Ford Escort, 1997–2003 generation
Pictured: the 1997–2003 generation. Just a Man, CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V323000

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Component
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
396,217
Reported to NHTSA
2002-12-09
Owners notified
2003-02-11

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR (IABM) CAN BE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER OR OTHER LIQUIDS AND COULD EXPERIENCE INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORTING.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: frontal6384,440 mi
Air bags5576,000 mi
Electrical system5187,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring3494,500 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module3097,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2844,532 mi
Electrical system: horn2460,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2445,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core24100,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs2366,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline21—
Unknown or other21—
Power train: automatic transmission1880,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1774,458 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components13115,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1132,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly10—
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs940,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights850,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic8100,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs7—
Electrical system: ignition666,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood699,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers694,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly6—
Suspension643,000 mi
Suspension: rear643,000 mi
Tires640 mi
Engine and engine cooling570,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly5—
Seats: front assembly: recliner5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages5—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system5—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys495,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump467,000 mi
Power train4—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4—
Suspension: front4—
Tires: sidewall4—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal417,000 mi
Air bags: side/window3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system3136,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)3—
Equipment327,585 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal352,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch3—
Seat belts3—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)3—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2—
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor232,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2—
Fuel system, gasoline2125,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch2—
Power train: axle assembly2100,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission2—
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Seats2—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2—
Steering: linkages2—
Structure2106,000 mi
Structure: body: door2—
Structure: body: hood2—
Tires: bead292,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages2—
Visibility: glass, side/rear2—
Visibility: windshield2115,000 mi
Wheels: rim2105,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module1—
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing1—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1115,000 mi
Engine1155,941 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Exterior lighting1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1107,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1107,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, other1—
Fuel system, other: delivery1—
Fuel/propulsion system1—
Interior lighting1—
Parking brake1—
Parking brake: driveline143,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)141,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seat belts: rear/other170,000 mi
Service brakes146,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Steering1—
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1100,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1115,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system1—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: leaf1—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: u-bolt, leaf spring to axle1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls174,239 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—
Wheels1—

The 1996 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Escort model years

All Ford Escort recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.