RoadVitals

1998 Ford Escort Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Jan 26, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 375 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Ford Escort submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structure
Filed Jan 26, 2019

I AM CONCERNED REGARDING REAR BUMPER COVER. THIS VERY IMPORTANT PAFT ON TBIS VEHICLE IS MADE TOTALLY OF FIBERGLASS OR A SIMILAR PRODUCT WHICH BECOMES MORE CRACKED WITH TIME AND THE MAIN ISSUE IS THAT IT HAS NO HARD METAL BAR FOR PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT . THIS BUMPER WHICH I HAD REMOVED TO RPLACED WHAT WAS LEFT OF IT HAS SOMETHING THAT APPEARS TO BE A BAR ATTACHED OR PART OF IT YET IT IS NOT ANY TYPE OF METAL THAT WOULD IN ANY WAY HELP ENDURE THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT. IN FACT I AM CONCERNED THAT IT CAN EASILY SERIOUSLY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO REAR PASSENGERS IF NOT DEATH BECAUSE THERE IS NO PROTECTION WITH THIS BUMPER. BESIDES THIS AND MAKING IT MORE DANGEROUS , THE GAS TANK IS RIGHT NEXT TO THIS SAID BUMPER AND THIS MAKES IT MUCH MORE DANGEROUS . I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ITEM , I JUST WANT TO LET NHTSA KNOW THE SAFETY HAZARD THIS IS AND THE DANGER IT POSES TO THE REAR PASSENGERS AND REALLY ALL PEOPLE IN THIS VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT.

NHTSA ID
11172236
Incident
Jan 26, 2019
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesSuspension
Filed Mar 6, 2008

I WAS SOLD A 1998 FORD ESCORT ZX2 FOR 800 DOLLARS, FROM BUT BEHIND A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DID THE NOTARY, AND THEY WERE THE ONES WHO SIGNED OFF ON THE CAR AND GAVE ME A HAND WRITTEN RECEIPT WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S NAME ON IT. THEY ALSO DID THE INSPECTION LATER ON AFTER WE REPLACED ONE OF THE BALL JOINTS. WE HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY ANOTHER OFFICIAL INSPECTION STATION AND THEY SAID THE CAR WAS A DEATH TRAP. WE CONTACTED A STATE TROOPER. HE DID AN INSPECTION, FAILED THE CAR, AND TOOK THE STICKER. THERE WAS A LONG LIST OF PROBLEMS. I TRIED TO GET A REFUND BEFORE I GOT THE COPS INVOLVED AND HE REFUSED. THIS WAS ALSO BEFORE THE 10 DAYS WERE UP FOR THE INSPECTION. I PAID FOR THE CAR ON THE 13TH OF FEB. 2008. *TR

NHTSA ID
10220292
Incident
Feb 13, 2008
Mileage
187,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical
Filed Dec 28, 2006

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED HORN HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 31,000 MILES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE , AND THAT ITWAS CAUSING THE HORN NOT TO WORK. THE HORN HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT IT STILL DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN WOULD JUST COME ON AND WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE CIRCUIT BREAKER A FEW WEEKS AGO, BUT NOW THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF. THE DEALER CHECKED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT HAD A LEAK IN THE FIREWALL. THE CONTACT HAD THE LEAK REPAIRED FOUR TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10177182
Incident
Nov 1, 1998
Body & structureEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed May 18, 2006

I HAVE HAD NEAR ACCIDENTS RELATING TO CAR FUEL PUMP OR TRANSMISSION SHOPS COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS BUT THE DRIVABLITY OF MY 98 ESCORT ZX2 COST ME MORE MONEY IN PROBLEM SOLVING, 1,500 PLUS IN RECENT REPAIRS INCLUDING EMERGENCY AND REPEAT REPAIRS AND FAULTY REPAIRS. MY FUEL ECONOMY IS 160 MILES PER TANK TO ALMOST 200 MILES. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM(S). LARGE THUNKING IN REAR TRUNK (SCARY)WHEN IM TAKING OFF AND REACHING A STEADY SPEED. TAKE THE CAR TO MAJOR FORD DEALERSHIPS, TO NO AVAIL. CAR DOESN'T ALWAYS "GO" FROM A COMPLETE STOP IN TRAFFIC,THIS HAS CAUSED QUITE A SCARE AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR HELPING AND MAKING NOTE OF MY ACCOUNT. DEBBIE

NHTSA ID
10157775
Incident
Apr 26, 2006
Body & structure
Filed Dec 8, 2004

CONSTANTLY WET CONDITION ON DRIVER SIDE FLOOR - DURING WET WEATHER. WATER COMING THROUGH THE FLOOR OR FIREWALL (NEAR THE FLOOR) AND FILLING THE FLOOR WITH WATER. *JB 1998 FORD ESCORT LX

NHTSA ID
10102387
Incident
Dec 7, 2004
Mileage
134,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 7, 2004

THE PAINT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT PANEL WAS STRIPED OFF IN A CAR WASH. AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE CARS HAS NOT BEEN REPAINTED. WELL... NOT WHILE I'VE OWNED IT. I AM HAVING THE CAR REPAINTED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10093797
Incident
Sep 20, 2004
Mileage
69,887 mi
Body & structureHeating & air conditioning
Filed Aug 20, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED, AND SOON AFTER CONSUMER HEARD SOMETHING HIT THE GROUND. VEHICLE WAS GUIDED TO THE SHOULDER, AND CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER BRACKETS BROKE. THIS IN TURN, CAUSED THE AC COMPRESSOR TO FALL AND RIP A HOLE INTO THE OIL PAN.*AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10081871
Incident
Jul 7, 2004
Mileage
94,000 mi
Body & structureFuel systemTransmission
Filed Jul 11, 2000

FUEL GUAGE FAILS TO REGISTER THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WOULD JUMP/JERK FORWARD IF PLACED INTO GEAR. WHENEVER THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JERK. REAR PASSENGER DOOR CANNOT BE OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. TOOK TO DEALER & HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED. MECHANIC INDICATED NOTHING WAS WRONG.*AK

NHTSA ID
865251
Body & structureBrakesVisibility
Filed Mar 16, 1999

WHEN YOU TRY TO STOP THE CAR TAKE LONG TIME TO STOP,WATER LEAK FROM WINDSHELD,TRUNK,FRONT END LEFT SIDE MAKE LOUD NOISE,CAR MAKE NOCKING NOISE,WHEN HIT SPEED BUMB STARIO CHANGE ON IT'S OWNE TO TAPE,FRONT DRIVER DOOR LEAK& MORE.

NHTSA ID
704532
Incident
Nov 25, 1997
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Mar 1, 1999

MISSING JACK IN THE CAR. YH

NHTSA ID
544142
Body & structure
Filed Feb 1, 1999

CUSTOMER IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE INTERIOR SYSTEM : MAP LIGHT, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSANGER SIDE MIRROR IN VISOR AND REAR DOOR HATCH LIGHT ARE ALL MISSING IN THIS MODEL YEAR. YH

NHTSA ID
609914
Body & structure
Filed Feb 1, 1999

REAR DOOR ON DRIVERS SIDE WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE. YH

NHTSA ID
609098
Body & structure
Filed Feb 1, 1999

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ID
606431
Body & structure
Filed Jun 15, 1998

WATER LEAKS UNDER THE FLOORMATS FROM NEAR THE FIREWALL INTO THE INTERIORS.

NHTSA ID
536878

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .