MYRModel Year Report

1998 Ford Escort

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 Ford Escort
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of 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
375
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

20% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 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 1997: 543 complaints 1998: 375 complaints 1998 375 1999: 325 complaints 2000: 98 complaints 2001: 68 complaints 2002: 33 complaints 2002 2003: 10 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 4 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1983 1984: 21 complaints 1985: 26 complaints 1985 1986: 46 complaints 1987: 59 complaints 1987 1988: 148 complaints 1989: 152 complaints 1989 1990: 104 complaints 1991: 335 complaints 1991 1992: 166 complaints 1993: 383 complaints 1993 1994: 289 complaints 1995: 576 complaints 1995 1996: 205 complaints 1997: 543 complaints 1998: 375 complaints 1998 375 1999: 325 complaints 2000: 98 complaints 2001: 68 complaints 2001 2002: 33 complaints 2003: 10 complaints 2003
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 7 complaints 1983 1984: 21 complaints 1984 1985: 26 complaints 1985 1986: 46 complaints 1986 1987: 59 complaints 1987 1988: 148 complaints 1988 1989: 152 complaints 1989 1990: 104 complaints 1990 1991: 335 complaints 1991 1992: 166 complaints 1992 1993: 383 complaints 1993 1994: 289 complaints 1994 1995: 576 complaints 1995 1996: 205 complaints 1996 1997: 543 complaints 1997 1998: 375 complaints 1998 375 1999: 325 complaints 1999 2000: 98 complaints 2000 2001: 68 complaints 2001 2002: 33 complaints 2002 2003: 10 complaints 2003

1998: 375 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.

Air bags

20% · 76 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer states involved in a frontal collision at 50 MPH. The other vehicle was traveling 70 MPH. The driver's air bag deployed, but passenger air bag did not deploy.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-11

Vehicle hit a tree at 45 MPH and neither airbag deployed. Driver hit head on windshield and broke arm. Damage to vehicle unknown.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-12

Consumer states that while driving about 40 MPH vehicle was involved in a frontal collision and the passenger's side airbag did not deploy. The dealer and manufacturer have been notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-03-02

Engine and engine cooling

14% · 54 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Harmonic balancer for the king pin broke.*ak consumer states while exiting parkway, there was a loud vibration coming from the front end, the harmonic balancer was hitting into the wall of the vehicle, consumers husband checked under the vehicle to...

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-26

Suspension

14% · 51 reports

Most commonly citing springs and coil springs.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

12% · 44 reports

Most commonly citing horn and module.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Power train

11% · 43 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHFIRE

Safety timeline

1 recall · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 375 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2001-04-19Defect petitionClosed 2001-11-01 Air bag non-deployment
  3. R
    2004-08-27Seat belts04E048000 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…

    Remedy: Trw will notify the customers who purchased the replacement seat belt assemblies free of charge. The recall began on August 27, 2004.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Ford Escort — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 76 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 54 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 51 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04E048000 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1998 Ford Escort reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Ford Escort is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford Escort?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Ford Escort have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.