1997 Ford Escort: problems, recalls and reliability

“The brakes failed while my wife was driving this car. It was not very difficult to diagnose the problem. The brake fluid leaked out of a brake line in the rear of the car. The location of the brake line failure is where the line is fastened to the body when the car was manufactured. It is my opinion that this defect may exist on many other vehicles of this type, that is why I am reporting it to you. *js”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2013

“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford escort. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the air bag light illuminated and smoke emitted from under the dashboard. The contact maneuvered to the shoulder and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was then towed to the contact's home. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the dashboard was melting. The fire department appeared on the scene to disconnect the battery. The contact noticed there was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 02v323000 (air bags:frontal:sensor/control module) and planned on contacting the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 161,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2012

“Air bag control diagnostic module shorted out due to ruptured heater core. When I spoke with the local dealership they told me to contact a local junk yard. There is a recall on this item. I never received a recall notice. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2010

“Tl-the contact owns a 1997 ford escort. As a passenger in the vehicle been driven 5 mph in a driveway both frontal air bags deployed. She stated the driver was knocked unconscionus and the other passenger had a injury to the face. The vehicle crashed into a tree and a branch hit the windshield. The vehicle has not been taken to a dealer or mechanic. The failure and current mileage was 81,152. Vwb”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2010

“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford escort. While driving approximately 35 mph, the power steering seized without warning. The vehicle had to be towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wires and fuses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2009

“I took my escort in for an inspection and the rear coil springs are broken again the first time they broke the dealer replaced them and said he thought a recall would be issued because ford new there was a problem with them now once again they are broken and there is still no recall if someone knew there was a problem with them why aren't they correcting the problem and do we the consumers have to keep shelling out our hard earned money for repairs. This car is a 1997 ford escort and rear springs were replaced twice just not fair. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2008

“1997ford escort wagon. Having had this car for eight years, where I needed to replace the rears spring once, I am now in the process of scheduling to replace the rear springs a second time to the amount of $700.00. After some research I have found from mechanics and from the internet that this is a 'common problem" with ford. Since this has happen a second time, for me I feel I should get some financial support from ford for this obvious defect in the suspension. This suspension problem should be a recall from ford. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2008