FORD ESCORT · model year

1999 FORD ESCORT

413 NHTSA complaints, 99 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999FORDESCORT carries 413 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 99 crashes, 14 fires, 80 injuries, and 5 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 ESCORT is air bags:frontal with 52 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (30) and power train:automatic transmission (28). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1999 ESCORT. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

413
Complaints
99
Crashes
14
Fires
80
Injuries
5
Deaths

Total Complaints

413 filings

Crashes Reported

99 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL52
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE30
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION28
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE22
AIR BAGS14
TIRES13
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS13
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS13
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN8
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING7

Recent Complaints

20190528CrashPOWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NO OCCUPANT INSIDE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER WAS IN THE PARK POSITION AT THE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 90,000

20171006AIR BAGS

VEHICLE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STILL ACTIVATED, WON'T TURN OFF. THERE HAS BEEN NO COLLISIONS OR ACTIVITY THAT CAUSED LIGHT TO BE ACTIVATED.

Mileage: 113,000

20170529ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING , THE CAR LOST POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN, AFTER COMING TO A STOP, WE TRIED TO START THE CAR UP AGAIN IT BSOUNDED LIKE IT WANTED TO TURN OVER BUT DIDN'T AFTER A FEW TRIES IT STOPPED MAKING ANY NOISE. A MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINE BLEW AND THAT IT WAS A ON GOING PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR AND MAKE OF CAR. THE ENGINE WAS PUT IN THE CAR WHEN WE BOUGHT IT, IT WAS ADVERTISED AS NEW SO THE PREVIOUS OWNER MUST HAVE HAD THISHAPPEN TO THEM AND KNOWINGLY SOLD US THEIR PROBLEM. PLEASE WE NEED HELP.

Mileage: 171,788

20170123ENGINE

SINCE 2001, I HAVE HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT FORD AND SEARS REPAIR SHOP TO ADDRESS MY COMPLAINTS THAT WHEN MY CAR IS STATIONARY IT HAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. I WAS TOLD BY MANY FORD SHOPS THAT IT WAS NOTHING THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE MOTOR MOUNTS. IT WAS REPLACED THE MOUNTS AND IT LAST LONG AND STILL THE VIBRATION CONTINUED. RECENTLY, I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP REGARDING THAT SAME COMPLAINT AND THEY FOUND IT IS AN "ENGINEER DEFECT: ENGINE-IDLE VIBRATION". CAN THIS BE REPAIRED BY FORD AND AT NO COST TO ME?

20140715SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

Mileage: 137,000

20140624SUSPENSION

TOOK CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGE. TECH DISCOVERED BOTH REAR SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. WAS QUOTED $1200 TO REPLACE, INCLUDING STRUTS (STILL GOOD). I AM IN MINNESOTA AND THIS CAR HAS NO TRACTION IN THE SNOW. I CAN DRIVE AT 10 MPH AND THE BACK STILL BREAKS TRACTION. I HAVE SPUN OUT MORE DRIVING THIS CAR THAN I HAVE WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE. I DO THINK FORD DESIGNED AND SOLD AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 98,580

20140606STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

TOOK CAR IN TO HAVE THE MUFFLER FIX AND THEY SAID THE FRAME WAS BUSTED AND COMING UP THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARDS SEPARATING FROM THE CAR. ALSO THE FRAME UNDER DOORS ARE ERODING. THEY SAID IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IF I HIT ONE BIG POTHOLE I WOULD BE IN BIG TROUBLE. *TR

Mileage: 166,000

20120911EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT SEVERAL TIMES AND WOULD RECUR SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS OR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

20120517CrashEQUIPMENT

1999 FORD ESCORT,HAD A WRECK AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED OUT BY INSURANCE ADJUSTER,THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND EVEN THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER STATED WOW THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T EVEN DEPLOY. ME AND MY GIRLFRIEND WERE INJURED AND WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK SINCE OCTOBER 2011 AND HAVE OVER 100,000 DOLLARS ALONE IN MEDICAL BILLS AND STILL HAVE TO HAVE SURGERY. AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE WORKED LIKE THEY WERE INSTALLED TO DO. I CALLED AND SPOKE WITH SOMEONE AT YOUR LOCATION AND SHE SAID THAT THERE WASN'T A RECALL YET,BUT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING. I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FILL OUT THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY OR WORK WHEN WE HAD A ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE CAR WAS TOTALED OUT AND WE WERE IN A 1999 FORD ESCORT. *TR

20120517CrashAIR BAGS

1999 FORD ESCORT,HAD A WRECK AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED OUT BY INSURANCE ADJUSTER,THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND EVEN THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER STATED WOW THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T EVEN DEPLOY. ME AND MY GIRLFRIEND WERE INJURED AND WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK SINCE OCTOBER 2011 AND HAVE OVER 100,000 DOLLARS ALONE IN MEDICAL BILLS AND STILL HAVE TO HAVE SURGERY. AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE WORKED LIKE THEY WERE INSTALLED TO DO. I CALLED AND SPOKE WITH SOMEONE AT YOUR LOCATION AND SHE SAID THAT THERE WASN'T A RECALL YET,BUT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING. I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FILL OUT THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY OR WORK WHEN WE HAD A ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE CAR WAS TOTALED OUT AND WE WERE IN A 1999 FORD ESCORT. *TR

20120109ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS DEFECTIVE. IN ADDITION, THE MOTOR FAILED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,083.

Mileage: 93,083

20101108FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HEATER BLOWER FAILED AND SPARKS WERE SHOOTING FROM THE WIRING HARNESS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT THE HARNESS BEFORE A FIRE IGNITED. THE CONTACT LOCATED A MANUFACTURERS RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE WIRING OF THE DEFROSTER SYSTEM, IN WHICH HE BELIEVED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON HIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

Mileage: 105,000

20101108FireVISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HEATER BLOWER FAILED AND SPARKS WERE SHOOTING FROM THE WIRING HARNESS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT THE HARNESS BEFORE A FIRE IGNITED. THE CONTACT LOCATED A MANUFACTURERS RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE WIRING OF THE DEFROSTER SYSTEM, IN WHICH HE BELIEVED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON HIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

Mileage: 105,000

20100925SUSPENSION:REAR

I BOUGHT A USED 1999 FORD ESCORT STATIONS WAGON WITH ONLY 16K MILES ON IT. AT 30K MILES I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE FOR $585 TO REPLACE THE REAR COIL SPRINGS THAT ARE BROKEN, SAYING IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. NOTE I NEVER ASKED FOR MORE THAN A SIMPLE OIL CHANGE. IN READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS HERE FOR BROKEN SPRINGS I BELIEVE FORD HAS GOTTEN AWAY WITH A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT THAT EVEN ITS DEALERS ARE WELL AWARE OF. *TR

Mileage: 30,650

20100506CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE APPEARED ON THE SCENE AND ONE OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS WAS REPORTED INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 132,000. UPDATED 10/19/10*JB

Mileage: 132,000

20100105TIRES

FIRESTONE 710 TIRES. LESS THAN 20,000 MILES, TREAD IS GONE, DOES NOT HANDLE ON ICE AND SNOW. TIRES ARE SOLD IN MINNESOTA, WERE IT SNOWS A LOT. TIRES ROTATED ONCE SO COMPANY WILL NOT STAND BY 65,000 MILE WARRANTY. HIGHWAY MILES, NO REASON FOR TREAD TO HAVE WORN OFF SO SOON. PLEASE CHECK IF TIRE IS DEFECTIVE AND IF SHOULD BE SOLD IN AREAS WHERE IT SNOWS QUITE OFTEN. I HAVE ALMOST GONE OFF THE ROAD MANY TIMES THIS WINTER, SEEMS LIKE YOUR GLIDING ON AIR. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

20091214CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,000.

Mileage: 99,000

20091018ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT WAS GOING ON AND OFF FOR A COUPLE DAYS. GOT A REPLACEMENT BULB TO CHANGE LIGHT. FOUND THE HARNESS THAT CONNECTS INTO THE BACK OF THE LIGHT TO BE MELTED AND PARTIALLY BURNT. HAD TO REPLACE HARNESS. *TR

Mileage: 67,100

20090922ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

COMPANY STATES THEY DO A COMPREHENSIVE INSPECTION, SELL HIGH QUALITY USED VEHICLES, MEET CUSTOMERS PERSONAL NEEDS, AND BACK THEIR PRODUCT. NO INSPECTION WAS DONE, ONLY COSMETIC REPAIRS TO SELL THE CAR. NO INSPECTION REPORT CAN BE PRODUCED EXCEPT THE REPAIRS BEFORE CAR WAS PUT ON LOT. THIS VEHICLE IS FAR FROM THE HIGH QUALITY. WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE BACK IN THE SHOP 14 TIMES IN 14 MONTHS. IT DID NOT MEET THE 4 PERSONAL NEEDS WE REQUESTED. EVERYTHING WITH THOSE NEEDS HAS GONE COMPLETELY WRONG! WE DID NOT WANT A FORD; WE GOT A FORD, IT IS NOT RELIABLE. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THE AC AT THE SHOP 7 TIMES, NOW RENDERING THE CAR DISABLED. IT IS NOT RELIABLE, KEEPS BREAKING DOWN. IT DOES NOT GET GOOD MILEAGE; CAR GETS 21 MPG WHEN IT SHOULD GET ABOUT 35-38 ACCORDING TO MFG. WARRANTY WAS BURNED BY MILES GOING BACK AND FORTH TO SHOP FOR CONSTANT REPAIRS. 700 MILES FOR THE SAME ISSUE- THE AC. SERVICE ISSUES ARE THAT THEY HAVE NOT FOUND THE ROUTE OF THE PROBLEM AND WE KEEP HAVING TO GO BACK

Mileage: 112,802

20090922POWER TRAIN

COMPANY STATES THEY DO A COMPREHENSIVE INSPECTION, SELL HIGH QUALITY USED VEHICLES, MEET CUSTOMERS PERSONAL NEEDS, AND BACK THEIR PRODUCT. NO INSPECTION WAS DONE, ONLY COSMETIC REPAIRS TO SELL THE CAR. NO INSPECTION REPORT CAN BE PRODUCED EXCEPT THE REPAIRS BEFORE CAR WAS PUT ON LOT. THIS VEHICLE IS FAR FROM THE HIGH QUALITY. WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE BACK IN THE SHOP 14 TIMES IN 14 MONTHS. IT DID NOT MEET THE 4 PERSONAL NEEDS WE REQUESTED. EVERYTHING WITH THOSE NEEDS HAS GONE COMPLETELY WRONG! WE DID NOT WANT A FORD; WE GOT A FORD, IT IS NOT RELIABLE. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THE AC AT THE SHOP 7 TIMES, NOW RENDERING THE CAR DISABLED. IT IS NOT RELIABLE, KEEPS BREAKING DOWN. IT DOES NOT GET GOOD MILEAGE; CAR GETS 21 MPG WHEN IT SHOULD GET ABOUT 35-38 ACCORDING TO MFG. WARRANTY WAS BURNED BY MILES GOING BACK AND FORTH TO SHOP FOR CONSTANT REPAIRS. 700 MILES FOR THE SAME ISSUE- THE AC. SERVICE ISSUES ARE THAT THEY HAVE NOT FOUND THE ROUTE OF THE PROBLEM AND WE KEEP HAVING TO GO BACK

Mileage: 112,802

Compare 1999FORDESCORT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 FORD ESCORT have?
The 1999 FORD ESCORT has 413 NHTSA complaints, 99 crashes, 14 fires, 80 injuries, and 5 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 FORD ESCORT?
The most-complained component for the 1999 FORD ESCORT is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL with 52 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1999 FORD ESCORT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.