1998 Ford Escort Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 9%of 375 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 126,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Ford Escort, 9% of the 375 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 126,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was sold a 1998 Ford Escort zx2 for 800 dollars, from but behind a local dealership. The dealership did the notary, and they were the ones who signed off on the car and gave me a hand written receipt with someone else's name on it. They also did the inspection later on after we replaced one of the ball joints. We had the car looked at by another official inspection station and they said the car was a death trap. We contacted a state trooper. He did an inspection, failed the car, and took the sticker. There was a long list of problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #10220292, filed 2008-03, 187,000 miles“Dt: 1998 Ford Escort. The consumer took the vehicle to dealer to be serviced, and the service department noticed the rear coil springs were broken , approximately 1 turns from the top. The consumer contacted Ford, and they told him the part was not under warranty. The coil springs were replaced. There had been no noticeable problems before this. The caplipers were replaced due them being frozen. The crank pulley and serpentine belt were replace.”
NHTSA complaint #10132258, filed 2005-09, 65,000 miles“Brakes grinding and glazing constantly , taking longer to get stopped, other times it grips to hard, when I take it in they delaze them, and tell me it is normal, I've taken it in twice in dec for problem so far, taking back again friday. I'm afraid it's going to cause an accident if I have to make a quick stop. Was fine for the first 5 months, but they insit it is normal.”
NHTSA complaint #702125, filed 1999-01“While driving in inclement weather driver applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. Vehicle hydro planed , and the driver was unable to maintain control of the vehicle, smashing into a concrete barrier. Upon impact, both airbags did not deploy. The driver refused medical attention on the scene, but went to the hospital later that day. Vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company.”
NHTSA complaint #10111174, filed 2005-02“While driving consumer heard a snapping noise, and lost complete control of brakes and landed in a ditch, and suffered only minor injuries, consumer was informed by dealer that a bolt never snaps from the booster in that way, futhermore the delaer states that the part is not available in the u.s. And a new one would have to be made.”
NHTSA complaint #785451, filed 2001-08Brakes: 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 1998 Ford Escort
75 complaintsSuspension
50 complaintsEngine cooling
49 complaintsElectrical system
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
43 complaintsFuel system
22 complaintsSeat belts
17 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsEquipment
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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