Does the 1997 Ford Escort have any recalls?

2 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: seat belts, air bags. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 1997 Ford Escort recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Ford dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 1997 Ford Escort?

543 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

1997 Ford Escort recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

2 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1997 Ford Escort. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Ford been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. Recall repairs are free.

1997 Ford Escort recalls, newest first

July 12, 2004NHTSA 04E048000388 vehicles potentially affected

Seat belts › Front

Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed

Summary: 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 vehicle safety standard no. 209, seat belt assemblies.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: TRW will notify the customers who purchased the replacement seat belt assemblies free of charge. The recall began on August 27, 2004.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

December 9, 2002NHTSA 02V323000396,217 vehicles potentially affected

Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

Summary: On certain passenger vehicles, the integrated air bag monitor (iabm) can be contaminated with water or other liquids and could experience internal electrical shorting.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 543 complaints about the 1997 Ford Escort with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 67
Fires reported: 83
Injuries reported: 65
Deaths reported: 0

Most complained-about components

Air bags › Frontal63
Air bags55
Electrical system51
Service brakes44
Electrical system › Wiring34

Other 1997 Ford models

Most recalled 1997 vehicles

1997 Ford F-150 (25 recalls)
1997 Honda Civic (16 recalls)
1997 Honda Accord (15 recalls)
1997 Dodge Caravan (14 recalls)
1997 Chevrolet Cavalier (13 recalls)

All of 1997’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 1997 Ford Escort have any recalls?: 2 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: seat belts, air bags. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1997 Ford Escort recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Ford dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1997 Ford Escort?: 543 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.