CarModelProblems.com

1998 Ford Escort Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags:frontal — runs 2.3× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
375Complaints
1Recalls
84Crashes
11Fires
78Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Air Bags:frontal (15.7% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Air Bags:frontal complaints here are 2.3× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Air Bags:frontal59 · 15.7%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine26 · 6.9%not available
Power Train:automatic Transmission24 · 6.4%not available
Electrical System19 · 5.1%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline15 · 4%not available
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip15 · 4%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL59 · 15.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19 · 5.1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE15 · 4%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP15 · 4%
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS15 · 4%
AIR BAGS14 · 3.7%
SUSPENSION11 · 2.9%
Unspecified / other10 · 2.7%

Percentages are the share of the 375 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 1 campaign

Seat Belts:front

NHTSA campaign 04E048000 · 2004 · reported 07/12/2004

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 TO 55 MPH VEHICLE HIT A TREE HEAD-ON, AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. FORD HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.”NHTSA complaint 867814 — filed 08/15/2000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
“CONSUMER HAS CAR TO DEALER 6 TIMES FOR A LOOSE AIRBAG, CONSUMER SAYS IT JIGGLES A LOT WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE STREET BECAUSE THE PANEL…”NHTSA complaint 864763 — filed 07/05/2000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
“WHEN VEHICLE REAR ENDED A SUV WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS. PLEASE PROVIDE…”NHTSA complaint 859388 — filed 03/29/2000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

501998102802000665420022731200426122006282008142010122019

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford Escort?

Air bags:frontal issues are the most-reported category, cited in 59 of 375 NHTSA complaints (15.7%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (26), power train:automatic transmission (24), electrical system (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1998 Ford Escort have?

375 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 84 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, and 78 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 1998 Ford Escort have any recalls?

Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 04E048000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Ford Escort's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.