1997 Ford Escort engine problems
The 1997 Ford Escort has 75 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
75
Engine complaints
10%
Share of year
0
Crash-involved
0
Related recalls
Engine complaints by year
What owners report
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DIED AND HAD A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. ANOTHER TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION FELL OUT WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING NOISES AND WAS SLOW TO TAKE OFF. VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN. *AK.ET.”
Common questions
How many engine complaints does the 1997 Ford Escort have?
NHTSA has 75 complaints about the 1997 Ford Escort engine — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.