1999 Ford Escort

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

1999 Ford Escort
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

1999: 325 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1981	1
1982	4
1983	7
1984	21
1985	26
1986	45
1987	56
1988	143
1989	152
1990	101
1991	327
1992	162
1993	379
1994	279
1995	576
1996	205
1997	543
1998	375
1999	325
2000	98
2001	68
2002	33
2003	10

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 16%

16% of complaints: air bags — 51 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

AIR BAGS DID NOT RELEASE WHEN IMPACT TO A TREE OCCURRED. ESTIMATED SPEED WAS 45 MILES PER HOUR. DAMAGED DONE TO FRONT BY COLLISION WITH TREE.*JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030225

IN A FRONTAL COLLISION NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020919

WHILE DRIVING 45MPH FRONT OF VEHICLE HIT SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020827

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 30 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 28 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 22 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

AIR BAGS 4%

4% of complaints: air bags — 14 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120517

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1999 — complaint volume: 325

R 19991102 — power train

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE S/R OPTION. THE S/R OPTION INCLUDES, AMONG OTHER FEATURES, A 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. ON THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT PATTER

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADHESIVE BACKED PLAQUE CONTAINING THE SHIFT PATTERN, ALONG WITH MATERIALS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR LOCATING AND AFFIXING THE PLAQUE TO THE VEHICLE CENTER CONSOLE, JUST FORW

Campaign 99V276000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20010419 — DP (closed 20011101)

AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT

R 20040827 — seat belts

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 F7CZ54611B09A

Remedy: TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.

Campaign 04E048000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1999 Ford Escort — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for air bags issues (51 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (30 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for power train issues (28 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 99V276000 (power train) has been completed.
Verify recall 04E048000 (seat belts) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2002 ▲ 1986 ▲ 1987

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1997 ■ 1998

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1999 Ford Escort reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Ford Escort is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Ford Escort?

The most-reported component is air bags:frontal, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 Ford Escort have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.