1998 Ford Escort Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 1%of 375 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1998 Ford Escort, 1% of the 375 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,000 miles.
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.
“When ever you use a turn signal or bright lights which are all built into the same arm will cause the lights to go out. I was lucky that I was on a lonely road at 3:00 am with my teen daughter when they went out for the 1st time. As I have 4 children and 2 parents to care for with a full time job and was away from home at the time to help my daughter. I was unable to get this taken care of until oct, 2001. I called in september and was unable to reach anyone until 10-3-2001. …”
NHTSA complaint #752972, filed 2001-10“The headlamp covers are awful and dangerous. They are so cloudy they make visibility almost nil in many circumstances (esp foggy nights). I feel the material they are made of is sub par, causing the problem and there should be a recall on them.”
NHTSA complaint #10214684, filed 2008-01Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 3% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% |
| 1999 | 12 | 4% |
| 1998 | 3 | 1% |
| 1997 | 12 | 2% |
| 1996 | 1 | 0% |
| 1995 | 12 | 2% |
| 1994 | 5 | 2% |
| 1993 | 5 | 1% |
| 1992 | 8 | 5% |
| 1991 | 16 | 5% |
| 1989 | 9 | 6% |
| 1988 | 11 | 8% |
| 1986 | 2 | 4% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Escort
75 complaintsSuspension
50 complaintsEngine cooling
49 complaintsElectrical system
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
43 complaintsBrakes
35 complaintsFuel system
22 complaintsSeat belts
17 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 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