1997 Ford Escort Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 42about this part
- Share
- 8%of 543 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Ford Escort, 8% of the 543 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,000 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The brakes failed while my wife was driving this car. It was not very difficult to diagnose the problem. The brake fluid leaked out of a brake line in the rear of the car. The location of the brake line failure is where the line is fastened to the body when the car was manufactured. It is my opinion that this defect may exist on many other vehicles of this type, that is why I am reporting it to you.”
NHTSA complaint #10538195, filed 2013-08, 46,000 miles“The car that I had purchased has not lived up to it's expectations since I purchased it. Since I have had the car, I purchased it in sept. Of 1998, the brakes have completely gone out, the emergency light comes on constantly even thought the emergency brake is not on. When purchasing the car, I had explained to the car dealer the I, being of only 19 yrs of age and this being my first big purchase I could not afford to buy a car then end up having to put tons of money into it. …”
NHTSA complaint #700916, filed 1998-11“I purchased a new 1997 Ford Escort in september 1996. After driving the car for about a week the anti-lock brake light came on and the car was losing brake fluid. This happened a couple of times. I took the car back to the dealer and was advised that the brake fitting was missing some threads. Dealer fixed problem. This past january I got a letter from Ford about the recall for the air bag monitor/sensor problem and had to take it to the local dealer to have that problem corrected. Now the car has a slow coolant leak. I took it to a repair shop and was advised that the head gasket is leaking. …”
NHTSA complaint #10037367, filed 2003-09“The contact owns a 1997 Ford Escort. When making a right turn at various speeds, the contact heard a clunking sound coming from the front end ball joints. The dealer stated that the brake pads, rotors, drums, and front wheel bearing on the passenger side needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the odometer and speedometer have both been replaced three times, but she does not trust that the speedometer is currently working properly. The failure mileage was 115,000. Updated 06-03/08. …”
NHTSA complaint #10226312, filed 2008-04, 115,000 miles“1997 Ford Escort had rear springs problems. **cc both rear springs on the vehicle broke. The breaks were identical, the lower coils. The consumer contacted the manufacturer and indicated that they showed lack of interest.”
NHTSA complaint #10184785, filed 2007-03Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 | 20% |
| 2002 | 4 | 12% |
| 2001 | 5 | 7% |
| 2000 | 10 | 10% |
| 1999 | 25 | 8% |
| 1998 | 35 | 9% |
| 1997 | 42 | 8% |
| 1996 | 11 | 5% |
| 1995 | 27 | 5% |
| 1994 | 22 | 8% |
| 1993 | 36 | 10% |
| 1992 | 12 | 7% |
| 1991 | 9 | 3% |
| 1990 | 3 | 3% |
| 1989 | 4 | 3% |
| 1988 | 2 | 1% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
| 1984 | 1 | 5% |
| 1983 | 2 | 29% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Escort
152 complaintsElectrical system
114 complaintsSuspension
67 complaintsEngine cooling
66 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsSteering
22 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 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