Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 610 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Ford Escort, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 118 | 19% |
| Electrical system | 111 | 18% |
| Suspension | 55 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 47 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 33 | 5% |
| Power train | 25 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 21 | 3% |
| Visibility | 19 | 3% |
| Steering | 12 | 2% |
| Tires | 10 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The rubber fuel filler neck hose that connects the metal fuel filler neck to the gas tank failed for the first time in 2013. During fueling, a large pool of gasoline leaked onto the pavement under the vehicle, presentin
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
SAFETY HORN STICKS AND REMAINS IN ON POSITION CREATING A DRIVING SAFETY RISK. DEALER EXPLAINS THAT THE HORN SWITCH IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIR BAG. BASED ON ALL INTERNET COMPLAINTS AND AIR BAG PROBLEMS, MIGHT BE TIME TO F
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 MECH
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MY MOTHER AND I WERE DRIVING TO MY GRANDPARENTS HOUSE WHEN SHE HIT A BABY DEER GOING ABOUT 35 MPH. I WAS 12 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME AND SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED HITTING ME IN RIGHT SIDE OF THE FACE.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
VALVE SEAT NO. 4 FELL OUT OF HEAD AND WAS DESTROYED, DAMAGING NO. 4 AND NO. 3 PISTON, AND THE HEAD ITSELF. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE TOTAL FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE PARKED RATHER THAN ON THE INTERSTATE, AT WHICH TIME P
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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 STAL
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1997 Ford Escort. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR (IABM) CAN BE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER OR OTHER LIQUIDS AND COULD EXPERIENCE INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORTING.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE SHIELD OVER THE IABM AND APPLY NYOGEL GREASE TO THE CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 11, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREE
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 V
Risk: 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.
Fix: TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.
| Reliability raw | 68 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 47 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 610 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 118 of them (19%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 68/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1997 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.