Model year record

1997 Ford Escort

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

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.

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.