1997 Ford Escort Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 2%of 543 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the seat belts of the 1997 Ford Escort, 2% of the 543 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“The rear driver's side seat belt locked around child's neck and almost caused a fatal injury. The retractor would not release. The rear driver's side seat belt locked around child's neck and almost caused a fatal injury. The retractor would not release.”
NHTSA complaint #10015292, filed 2003-04, 70,000 miles“While in motion, consumer was involved in a collision and the airbags did not deploy. The seat belt also did not hold. Consumer suffered chest injuries to the rib cage. Consuemr wishes to have airbags opened and inspected at the local dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #566933, filed 2002-08“Driver's side seatbelts never locked down. When the passenger side airbag was deployed it shattered the windshield. Glass was on the passenger's seat and if some one was there they would have been cut.”
NHTSA complaint #705926, filed 1999-04“Vehicle was involved in a collision at 45mph, seat belts did not retract properly, and the airbag did not deploy until the vehicle came to a complete stop. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.”
NHTSA complaint #842197, filed 1999-07“Rear seat belt on passenger's side, fails to latch properly. Latch fails to enter the buckle because inside locking mechanism was broken. Taking vehicle to dealer to have mechanic check it.”
NHTSA complaint #854329, filed 1999-12Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 | 3% |
| 2000 | 11 | 11% |
| 1999 | 16 | 5% |
| 1998 | 17 | 5% |
| 1997 | 12 | 2% |
| 1996 | 77 | 38% |
| 1995 | 152 | 26% |
| 1994 | 79 | 28% |
| 1993 | 109 | 29% |
| 1992 | 28 | 17% |
| 1991 | 71 | 22% |
| 1990 | 10 | 10% |
| 1989 | 19 | 13% |
| 1988 | 17 | 12% |
| 1987 | 3 | 5% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 3 | 12% |
| 1984 | 4 | 19% |
| 1983 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Escort
152 complaintsElectrical system
114 complaintsSuspension
67 complaintsEngine cooling
66 complaintsBrakes
42 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Escort
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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