1999 Ford Escort: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 325 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (18% of complaints); the 2000 and 2001 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 325 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Vehicle airbag light came on and is still activated, won't turn off. There has been no collisions or activity that caused light to be activated.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
“While driving , the car lost power and the steering wheel was hard to turn, after coming to a stop, we tried to start the car up again it bsounded like it wanted to turn over but didn't after a few tries it stopped making any noise. A mechanic said the engine blew and that it was a on going problem for this year and make of car. The engine was put in the car when we bought it, it was advertised as new so the previous owner must have had thishappen to them and knowingly sold us their problem. Please we need help.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2017
“Since 2001, I have had my car serviced at ford and sears repair shop to address my complaints that when my car is stationary it has excessive vibration. I was told by many ford shops that it was nothing that I need to replace the motor mounts. It was replaced the mounts and it last long and still the vibration continued. Recently, I took my car to a local repair shop regarding that same complaint and they found it is an "engineer defect: engine-idle vibration". Can this be repaired by ford and at no cost to me?”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford escort. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and no occupant inside, the vehicle rolled backwards and crashed into another vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the gear shift lever was in the park position at the time. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford escort. The contact stated the vehicle was rusted on the front drivers side brake lines. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2014
“Took car in for oil change. Tech discovered both rear springs are broken. Was quoted $1200 to replace, including struts (still good). I am in minnesota and this car has no traction in the snow. I can drive at 10 mph and the back still breaks traction. I have spun out more driving this car than I have with any other vehicle. I do think ford designed and sold an unsafe vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2014
“Took car in to have the muffler fix and they said the frame was busted and coming up through the floor boards separating from the car. Also the frame under doors are eroding. They said it is unsafe to drive and if I hit one big pothole I would be in big trouble. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford escort. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. A local mechanic diagnosed that the timing belt was defective. In addition, the motor failed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 93,083.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford escort. The contact stated that the rear heater blower failed and sparks were shooting from the wiring harness. The contact was able to disconnect the harness before a fire ignited. The contact located a manufacturers recall for defective wiring of the defroster system, in which he believed to be the cause of the failure, but did not confirm if there were any recalls on his particular vehicle. The vehicle was neither inspected nor repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 105,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2010
“I bought a used 1999 ford escort stations wagon with only 16k miles on it. At 30k miles I took it to a local ford dealer for an oil change and they gave me an estimate for $585 to replace the rear coil springs that are broken, saying it was a safety hazard. Note I never asked for more than a simple oil change. In reading all the complaints here for broken springs I believe ford has gotten away with a major safety defect that even its dealers are well aware of. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 79 of these complaints and injuries in 56 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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."
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.
CERTAIN TRW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED ON DECEMBER 6 AND 9, 2002, FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1997 FORD ESCORT 4-DOOR AND STATION WAGON PLATFORM VEHICLES, FORD'S P/N F7CZ54611B09AAC. THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT A NO-LOCK CONDITION WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.
Remedy: TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Escort by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Ford Escort reliable?
NHTSA has 325 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Ford Escort. The most complained-about area is air bags (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Escort problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 69,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Ford Escort have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:manual transmission:shift pattern indicator. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.