1996 Ford Escort Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 6%of 205 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Ford Escort, 6% of the 205 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Abnormal rate of rear springs on late 90's Ford Escort station wagons. I am a mechanic with brownies auto repair in walkersville,md. I personally have replaced the rear springs on at least 8 Escort wagons. I have checked other Escort wagons and find most broken in the same spot. Could puncture tire.”
NHTSA complaint #10007825, filed 2003-02“Both springs also broke on a 1995 Ford Escort wagon (separate report submitted) owned by our agency, also my daughters 1994 Ford Escort just had two broken rear springs (report not submitted) that were replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #761309, filed 2002-04“I never hauled anything heavy in the back of my station wagon. The rear coil springs were hollow not solid and failed because they rusted through as a result of water collecting in the bottom of the support which holds the base of the spring in the correct position. My mechanic said that many times when you hit a bump the broken spring will twist and puncture the sidewall of the tire that it is adjacent to the spring. He also said that the same spring failure occurs with all the Ford Escort station wagons. …”
NHTSA complaint #767203, filed 2002-09“Brought vehicle to auto center to get new tires and alignment. Service tech noticed that the right rear coil had snapped in two pieces. Having been driving for 17 years, I was more than surprised because I had never even heard of a coil snapping, much less ever had it happen to a vehicle I owned. The service tech mentioned that he had seen it more than a few times on the Ford Escort, which LED me to believe it could be a manufacturer's defect. He recommended having it replaced that day, as he said it was a high safety hazard. …”
NHTSA complaint #735820, filed 2000-11“At 20,000 miles schedule maintanice service, rear leaf spring had to be replaced because of breakage. At the 30,000 miles schedule maintaince, right rear spring was replaced because of breakage. Dealership stated that this is a common problem with escorts, and is seen all the time. Please provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #865656, filed 2000-07Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 10% |
| 2002 | 4 | 12% |
| 2001 | 9 | 13% |
| 2000 | 8 | 8% |
| 1999 | 42 | 13% |
| 1998 | 50 | 13% |
| 1997 | 67 | 12% |
| 1996 | 13 | 6% |
| 1995 | 37 | 6% |
| 1994 | 18 | 6% |
| 1993 | 19 | 5% |
| 1992 | 7 | 4% |
| 1991 | 9 | 3% |
| 1989 | 2 | 1% |
| 1988 | 5 | 4% |
| 1987 | 3 | 5% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Escort
77 complaintsEngine cooling
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Ford Escort
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology