1998 Ford Escort: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Ford Escort: 0 recalls, 375 owner complaints and up to 28 mpg combined.
Recalls
0 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Seat belts Equipment recall #04E048000 · 2004 · 388 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 f7cz54611b09aac. The seat belt assemblies exhibit a no-lock condition which does not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 209, seat belt assemblies.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the restraint system May not provide adequate protection to the seat occupant, which May increase the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Trw will notify the customers who purchased the replacement seat belt assemblies free of charge. The recall began on August 27, 2004.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 11 mention a fire, 78 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (75): the most common themes are fails to deploy (46).
- Suspension (50): the most common themes are noise or vibration (13), steering problems (3).
- Engine & cooling (49): the most common themes are noise or vibration (15), stalls / loses power (12).
- Transmission & drivetrain (43): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (21), noise or vibration (7), leaks (3).
The 1998 Ford Escort has 375 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 14 Escort model years for complaints (1.5× the average Escort year). Complaints peaked in 1999 (86 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 75,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (543 complaints, 1 recalls), 1999 (325 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 34 | 28 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 25 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1998 Ford Escort.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1998 Ford Escort have any recalls?
NHTSA doesn't list any vehicle recalls for the 1998 Ford Escort, but 1 equipment or tire recalls may apply. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.
What are the most common 1998 Ford Escort problems?
Owners have filed 375 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (75), suspension (50), engine & cooling (49).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Ford Escort get?
EPA ratings run up to 28 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 Ford Escort repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.