Does the 1998 Ford Escort have any recalls?

1 recall found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: seat belts. 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 1998 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 1998 Ford Escort?

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

1998 Ford Escort recalls

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

1 recall found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1998 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.

1998 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

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 375 complaints about the 1998 Ford Escort with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 84
Fires reported: 11
Injuries reported: 78
Deaths reported: 1

Most complained-about components

Air bags › Frontal59
Service brakes34
Engine and engine cooling › Engine26
Fuel system26
Power train › Automatic transmission24

Other 1998 Ford models

Most recalled 1998 vehicles

1998 Honda Accord (19 recalls)
1998 Ford F-150 (18 recalls)
1998 Honda Civic (18 recalls)
1998 Dodge Ram (17 recalls)
1998 Blue Bird TC2000 (17 recalls)

All of 1998’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 1998 Ford Escort have any recalls?: 1 recall found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: seat belts. 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 1998 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 1998 Ford Escort?: 375 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.