VehicleVerdict

1998 Ford Escort electrical system problems

The 1998 Ford Escort has 54 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 11% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

54

Electrical System complaints

11%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Escort electrical system complaints by model year152 complaints1982: 3 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 14 complaints1985: 10 complaints1986: 21 complaints1987: 31 complaints1988: 85 complaints1989: 77 complaints1990: 58 complaints1991: 123 complaints1992: 45 complaints1993: 40 complaints1994: 33 complaints1995: 57 complaints1996: 20 complaints1997: 152 complaints1998: 54 complaints1999: 51 complaints2000: 6 complaints2001: 5 complaints2002: 2 complaints
Escort electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

“CONSUMER WAS TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FIRE UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AREA, CONSUMER AND HER DAUGHTER TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE THEMSELVES, HOWEVER COULD NOT, CLAIM 14-1385-223. *SLC ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 29, 2001 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1998 Ford Escort have?

NHTSA has 54 complaints about the 1998 Ford Escort electrical system — 11% 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.