MYRModel Year Report

1996 Ford Escort

◆ Worse than typical
1996 Ford Escort
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Escort Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 4 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 21 complaints 1984 1985: 26 complaints 1986: 46 complaints 1987: 59 complaints 1987 1988: 148 complaints 1989: 152 complaints 1990: 104 complaints 1990 1991: 335 complaints 1992: 166 complaints 1993: 383 complaints 1993 1994: 289 complaints 1995: 576 complaints 1996: 205 complaints 1996 1997: 543 complaints 1998: 375 complaints 1999: 325 complaints 1999 2000: 98 complaints 2001: 68 complaints 2002: 33 complaints 2002 2003: 10 complaints 2003
1996: 205 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19824
19837
198421
198526
198646
198759
1988148
1989152
1990104
1991335
1992166
1993383
1994289
1995576
1996205
1997543
1998375
1999325
200098
200168
200233
200310

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SEAT BELTS 38%

38% of complaints: seat belts — 78 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER AS DESIGNED, THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *JB *SCC

NHTSA ODI report, 20030408

Also filed under AIR BAGS

THE DRIVER SIDE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT HAS CEASED FUNCTIONING AND IS NOW STUCK MIDWAY ALONG THE TOP PART OF THE SEAT BELT TRACK. THIS BEING THE CASE THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT PROTECT THE DRIVER IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150123

I AM ADDING ANOTHER COMPLAINT TO THE VAST LIST OF PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING MY 1996 FORD ESCORT AND THE FAILURE OF MY PASSIVE RESTRAINT SHOULDER BELT. IT HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS FOR PROBABLY THE LAST 8-10 YEARS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120526

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%

16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 33 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH INJURY
AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT COME OUT OF MIDDLE OF STEERING WHEEL AS INTENDED, INSTEAD CAME OUT MORE TO RIGHT, OCCUPANT RECEIVED INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19961202

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, HIT A PUDDLE AND VEHICLE STARTED HYDROPLANING, HIT A DOUBLE BEAM HIGHWAY SIGN HEAD-ON AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19961001

DARK ROAD, DRIVER HIT WOODEN BARRACADE AND AIR BAG DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN BURN INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANT. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960610

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing wiring and switch.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

SPONTANEOUS VEHICLE COMBUSTION: Y 1996 FORD ESCORT WAS STUCK 3 HRS. IN TRAFFIC JAM ON MAJOR NASSAU COUNTY, NY ROUTE IN MIDDLE OF SNOW STORM. FIRE STARTED FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, SPREADING TO DASHBOARD. HAD FIRE DEPT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20031209

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1996 — complaint volume: 205
R 20060403 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Ford Escort — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (78 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (33 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2002 ▲ 1986 ▲ 1987

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1997 ■ 1993

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Ford Escort reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Ford Escort is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Ford Escort?

The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Ford Escort have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.