1997 Ford Escort: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Ford Escort: 1 recall, 543 owner complaints and up to 28 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #02V323000 · 2002 · 396,217 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the integrated air bag monitor (iabm) can be contaminated with water or other liquids and could experience internal electrical shorting.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will install the shield over the iabm and apply nyogel grease to the connector. Owner notification began February 11, 2003.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Seat belts Equipment recall #04E048000 · 2004 · 388 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the restraint system May not provide adequate protection to the seat occupant, which May increase the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Trw will notify the customers who purchased the replacement seat belt assemblies free of charge. The recall began on August 27, 2004.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 83 mention a fire, 65 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (152): the most common themes are fails to deploy (17).
- Electrical (114): the most common themes are fire / smoke (62), electrical failure (56), stalls / loses power (15).
- Suspension (67): the most common themes are noise or vibration (12), steering problems (4).
- Engine & cooling (66): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (19), noise or vibration (12), warning light on (10).
The 1997 Ford Escort has 543 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 14 Escort model years for complaints (2.2× the average Escort year). Complaints peaked in 2003 (100 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 78,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (205 complaints, 0 recalls), 1998 (375 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 34 | 28 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Ford Escort.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Ford Escort have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1997 Ford Escort, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1997 Ford Escort problems?
Owners have filed 543 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (152), electrical (114), suspension (67).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Ford Escort get?
EPA ratings run up to 28 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Ford Escort repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.