Model year record

1999 Ford Escort

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 413 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 99V276000

Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator

Component
Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
106
Reported to NHTSA
1999-10-12
Owners notified
1999-11-02

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE S/R OPTION. THE S/R OPTION INCLUDES, AMONG OTHER FEATURES, A 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. ON THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT PATTERN IS NOT DISPLAYED IN THE OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT IN VIEW OF THE DRIVER. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT."

Safety risk

THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION POSITION OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADHESIVE BACKED PLAQUE CONTAINING THE SHIFT PATTERN, ALONG WITH MATERIALS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR LOCATING AND AFFIXING THE PLAQUE TO THE VEHICLE CENTER CONSOLE, JUST FORWARD OF THE SHIFT LEVER. OWNERS WILL ALSO BE ADVISED THAT THEIR DEALER CAN AFFIX THE PLAQUE IF THEY PREFER.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: frontal5298,716 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3041,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2839,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2260,000 mi
Air bags1499,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs1360,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs1367,712 mi
Tires1380,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1050,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1060,000 mi
Electrical system: horn868,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner8150 mi
Electrical system776,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition7—
Engine and engine cooling770,000 mi
Suspension: front660,000 mi
Vehicle speed control686,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator585,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline58,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly554,000 mi
Suspension598,580 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system5—
Electrical system: starter assembly4—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood4—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.4150 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump448,890 mi
Seat belts48,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor4—
Seats48,300 mi
Steering424,096 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3—
Electrical system: ignition: module354,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch3—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch3—
Power train390,000 mi
Seat belts: front38,300 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder3100,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3—
Structure: body3—
Suspension: rear348,700 mi
Air bags: side/window2—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2—
Engine2171,788 mi
Equipment2—
Exterior lighting2150 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2—
Power train: manual transmission2—
Seat belts: front: webbing2104,308 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner2—
Service brakes, hydraulic2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads237,300 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2—
Structure: body: door271,000 mi
Unknown or other255,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module1—
Child seat: shell: booster1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1112,802 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1114,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Equipment: other: labels1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: clutch assembly170,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Service brakes1137,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1131,569 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1—
Steering: linkages1—
Structure163,446 mi
Structure: frame and members1—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1166,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system: springs/bags1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control153,700 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1105,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: windshield1—

The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2000 model has 3 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.