NHTSA vehicle safety data
1997 Ford Escort Recalls & Complaints
The 1997 Ford Escort has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1997 Ford Escort. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Ford Escort. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
TRW/FMVSS 209/SEAT BELT/NO LOCK CONDITION
NHTSA #04E048000 · Seat Belts — Front · NHTSA notice
Reported July 12, 2004 · TRW OCCUPANT SAFETY SYSTEMS
Potentially affected: 388 vehicles
Owners notified August 27, 2004
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.
Notes
THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE IN 1997-2003 MODEL YEAR FORD ESCORT AND MERCURY TRACER 4-DOOR AND STATION WAGON VEHICLES AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED IN FORD VEHICLES BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.FOR MORE INFORMATION CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
FORD/INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR CONTAMINATION
NHTSA #02V323000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Sensor/Control Module-Inactive · NHTSA notice
Reported December 9, 2002 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Potentially affected: 396,217 vehicles
Ford campaign 02S44 · Owners notified February 11, 2003 · Vehicles built November 2, 1995 – September 5, 1997 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR (IABM) CAN BE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER OR OTHER LIQUIDS AND COULD EXPERIENCE INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORTING.
Safety consequence
THIS MAY, IN TURN, CAUSE THE AIR BAG READINESS LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND IN VERY RARE OCCURRENCES, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, MELTED WIRING, OR FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE SHIELD OVER THE IABM AND APPLY NYOGEL GREASE TO THE CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 11, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Notes
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Ford Escort model years
Check your 1997 Ford Escort VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Escort at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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