Menu

1996 Ford EscortProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 205 owner complaints about the 1996 Ford Escort, most often about the seat belts. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

49
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Escort median · #8 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints20550 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage90kSeat belts, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 11, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Ford Escort has problems

205 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Seat belts777
Engine and engine cooling300
Power train191
Air bags1815
Electrical system146
Suspension131
Steering101
Service brakes, hydraulic101
Fuel system, gasoline82
12 other systems303

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1996 Ford Escort recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Escort year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Escort median. How we score

'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Ford Escort safety ratings

1996 Ford Escort 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Escort owners report

Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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. IN THIS POSITION IT IS LIKELY THAT IN A SUDDEN STOP THE DRIVER'S HEAD WOULD HIT…
Complaint 10678517 · Jan 23, 2015 · 140,000 miles
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. IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STOP MID-TRACK AND "BOUNCING" THE DOOR AGAINST THE…
Complaint 10459733 · May 26, 2012 · 30,000 miles
THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT IN MY 1996 FORD ESCORT FAILED TO MOVE SEVERAL TIMES UPON OPENING THE DOOR. ON ONE OCCASION WHEN IT FAILED TO RELEASE I WENT TO GET UP UNDER IT WHEN IT MOVED FORWARD DRAGGING ME WITH IT AND INJURING MY NECK. *JB
Complaint 10159075 · Jun 6, 2006

Own a 1996 Escort?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.