Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags:frontal — runs 2.4× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
325Complaints
2Recalls
79Crashes
11Fires
56Injured
4Deaths
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 (16% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Air Bags:frontal complaints here are 2.4× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Air Bags:frontal
52 · 16%
not available
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
30 · 9.2%
not available
—
Power Train:automatic Transmission
28 · 8.6%
Recalled
Recall 99V276000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
22 · 6.8%
not available
—
Air Bags
14 · 4.3%
not available
—
Tires
13 · 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP10 · 3.1%
Percentages are the share of the 325 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.
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
Power Train:manual Transmission:shift Pattern Indicator
THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION POSITION OF THE VEHICLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark 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
“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT30 MPH ON A SIDE STREET AND ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON BROADSIDE, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, BUT AIR BAGS DIDN'T…”NHTSA complaint 879622 — filed 02/01/2001 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
“AFTER BEING IN A CAR ACCIDENT AT 30 MPH IN RAIN, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING . THE CAR WAS…”NHTSA complaint 875402 — filed 11/22/2000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
“VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 55 MPH. VEHICLE HIT A CONCRETE DIVIDER AND BOUNCED OFF, STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS…”NHTSA complaint 874050 — filed 10/27/2000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Ford Escort?
Air bags:frontal issues are the most-reported category, cited in 52 of 325 NHTSA complaints (16%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (30), power train:automatic transmission (28), engine and engine cooling:engine (22). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1999 Ford Escort have?
325 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 79 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, and 56 reported injuries. 4 deaths were reported.
Does the 1999 Ford Escort have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, 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 1999 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.
Install CarModelProblemsAdd it to your home screen for one-tap access — no app store.
Install CarModelProblemsTap Share, then Add to Home Screen.