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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,648 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Ford Escort engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Ford Escort Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #24

Jan 202014

Escort 4-cyl

  • 90,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I turned right into a parking lot and slowly turned right again into a parking space. While I was braking, the car accelerated and hit a building.

- Oxford, NY, USA

problem #23

Dec 012005

Escort 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40 miles
Daughter was driving car, had a tire blow out, and car suddenly accelerated out of control. She tried shifting gears, using brakes, and pulling parking brake to no avail. She crashed into parked cars after traveling about 200 yards uphill. Witnesses say she was going about 30 to 40 mph. After the blowout, which happened as she was leaving a stop. Car will not be repaired, will be junked. It is too dangerous for anyone to drive.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

problem #22

Oct 092004

Escort 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles
The vehicle accelerated and lurched forward while pulling into a parking space, causing the vehicle to hit a brick wall. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained minor injuries, and was transported to the local hospital. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified.

- Gary, IN, USA

problem #21

Nov 112002

Escort

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The cruise control stopped working/worked 5 times during the weekend of Nov 11, 2002. The first time it caused the speedometer to be erratic and then it started working. From the second time on, it caused the check engine light to come on and stay on. The second time it didn't work but it caused the speedometer to stick on 0 and the odometer to stop working. The 3rd time it also didn't work, but it caused the speedometer to peg out over 120 mph and the odometer stopped working. I had decided at that point to not try the cruise control again. The 4th time the cruise control seemed to kick in by itself for a few seconds, it caused the speedometer to be erratic, and then the cruise control stopped working again. The 5th time was the scarriest. It again try to kick in by itself, and this time it disabled the gas pedal. During this entire time I was driving the posted speed limit of 65 mph. I've stopped driving the car for right now. The cruise control seems to be too erratic and I don't want to get in a accident because of it.

- Yorktown, VA, USA

problem #20

Apr 162002

Escort

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was going 65mph and slowing down to 30mph while still accelerating. Heater core was leaking onto computer for airbag module. This was the second time it happened.*akthe leaking heater core caused alot of damage to the airbag, spark plugs, ignition cable, and oxygen sensors. Consumer paid out of pocket for damaged parts. Heater core replaced under warranty.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #19

Jan 242002

(reported on)

Escort

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
An electrical short circuit is occurring within vehicle which is causing vehicle battery to completely lose power. Consumer states radio caused battery to drain and speakers to pop, radio replaced 3 times, experiencing other electrical problems with the headlights dimming when the heater is on or when applying brakes, radiator had to be replaced, engine lights come on intermittently, and poor acceleration when going up a hill.

- Taos, NM, USA

problem #18

Sep 212000

Escort

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While pulling into parking lot with foot on the brake the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a building, again with foot on brake the consumer put the vehicle into reverse and the vehicle accelerated backwards and crashed into a sand pile and building, the sandpile plugged the tailed pipe causing vehicle to stall, accident resulted in 1 injury. Nlm

- Chicopee, MA, USA

problem #17

Sep 212000

Escort

  • miles
While pulling into parking lot with foot on the brake the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a building, again with foot on brake the consumer put the vehicle into reverse and the vehicle accelerated backwards and crashed into a sand pile and building, the sandpile plugged the tailed pipe causing vehicle to stall, accident resulted in 1 injury. Nlm

- Chicopee, MA, USA

problem #16

Jul 112000

Escort

  • miles
Idle air control valve failure resuliting in idle being erretic will race up to 2,500 RPM by it's self and when in gear sudden acceleration also engine fan will not shut off even when key is off

- Everett, WA, USA

problem #15

Jul 112000

Escort

  • miles
Idle air control valve failure resuliting in idle being erretic will race up to 2,500 RPM by it's self and when in gear sudden acceleration also engine fan will not shut off even when key is off

- Everett, WA, USA

problem #14

Jul 221999

Escort

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration on two occasions, first incident resulted in collision with property. Mjs

- Marlboroug, MA, USA

problem #13

Jul 151999

Escort

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle experinces 2 incidents of sudden accelration resulting in vehicle collisions.

- Philadelph, PA, USA

problem #12

Jul 221999

(reported on)

Escort

  • miles
The engine revs high without gas pedal being applied. Vehicle also accelerates after brake application. Dealer can't fix problem.

- Philidelphie, PA, USA

problem #11

Jun 011999

Escort

  • miles
Cruise control quit working a few days later I blew a fuse for the brakes lights. I replace the fuse and blew that one. At this same time I noticed that I could not shut off the air conditioning. I will contact dealer next buisness day.

- Walker, MI, USA

problem #10

May 241997

Escort

  • miles
While driving at 45 mph vehicle was racing high without no prior warning. Manufacturer was aware of problem.

- Salisbury, MO, USA

problem #9

Mar 011999

Escort

  • miles
When pulling out vehicle lurches forward. This may cause a crash. Also, engine check light stays on. Dealer cannot determine the problem.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #8

May 071999

Escort

  • miles
Speed control off switch does not work 1 out of 100 times; it speeds up the car.

- Wake Forest, NC, USA

problem #7

Apr 041999

Escort

  • miles
When stopped with foot on brake pedal, engine does not "idle down"; if placed in neutral or park, engine will race up to as much as 3500 RPM. First experienced this problem on 3/23/99...veh. Was placed in shop @ akins Ford in winder, ga (where purchased) and they replaced "tps and cleaned throttle plates." All O.K. until 4/4, when problem reappeared. Car will literally pull itself along in first gear.

- Loganville, GA, USA

problem #6

Dec 211998

Escort

  • miles
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration resulting in vehicle collision.

- Paterson, NJ, USA

problem #5

Dec 051998

Escort

  • miles
My cruise control did not turn off when I applied my brakes causing me to have a serious accident. I need to find out if this has happened to others.

- Bellingham, WA, USA

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