1998 Ford Escort: common problems and reliability
441 owner complaints on record.
Most complaints are about air bags. 1 recall.
Should I buy a 1998 Escort?The 1998 Ford Escort has 441 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and engine and engine cooling.
Safety record for the 1998 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1998 Ford Escort vehicles (US, public record).
Is 1998 a good year for the Escort?
Across the 5 Escort model years we track, complaint volume runs from 248 (1996) to 745 (1999). With 441 complaints, the 1998 Escort sits about the same as the model's median of 441.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 1998 Escort
seat belts:front
Campaign 04E048000CERTAIN 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.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on the specific generation, condition, and purchase price.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Escort. See the full Escort owner picture and every model year.
Other Escort model years
Compare every Escort year side by side to see how 1998 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Escort against its rivals
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