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1999 Ford EscortProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 325 owner complaints about the 1999 Ford Escort, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

33
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.0× the Escort median · #4 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints325133 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage99kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 28, 2019. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Ford Escort has problems

325 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
Air bags6661
Engine and engine cooling622
Suspension422
Electrical system399
Power train354
Service brakes, hydraulic244
Seat belts1610
Steering164
Equipment151
11 other systems7514

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

1 recall

1999 Ford Escort recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Manual transmission: shift pattern indicator

Recall 99V-276 · Oct 12, 1999 · 106 vehicles

Risk. THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION POSITION OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1999 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

1999 Ford Escort safety ratings

1999 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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1999 Ford Escort, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENTDP01001 · closed Nov 1, 2001
    No recall
In owners' words

What Escort owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

VEHICLE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STILL ACTIVATED, WON'T TURN OFF. THERE HAS BEEN NO COLLISIONS OR ACTIVITY THAT CAUSED LIGHT TO BE ACTIVATED.
Complaint 11032000 · Oct 6, 2017 · 113,000 miles
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. ME AND MY GIRLFRIEND WERE INJURED AND WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK SINCE OCTOBER 2011 AND…
Complaint 10458854 · May 17, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE APPEARED ON THE SCENE AND ONE OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS WAS REPORTED INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN…
Complaint 10329163 · May 6, 2010 · 132,000 miles

Own a 1999 Escort?

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