1998 Ford Escort Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 2%of 375 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the seats of the 1998 Ford Escort, 2% of the 375 complaints for this model year. 3 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.
“I was rear-ended by a moving truck (like a ryder truck) who was traveling at approximately 50 MPH when he hit me. I was almost at a complete stop. The problem that I am asking about, because I want to know if there have been any other problems like this reported, is that my seat, the driver's seat, broke and twisted on impact. After the impact the seat was left bent backwards and twisted to the right consistent with my injuries. I guess what I really want to know is, should the seat have done that at that impact speed with a woman sitting in the seat that is 5' 5 and weight 140 lbs? …”
NHTSA complaint #744421, filed 2001-04“Driver/passenger headrests have staples at bottom & they are coming out. Part of headrest is sewn. Bottom of headrest is not coming apart even though it was losing staples. Have not taken vehicle to dealer. Had contacted dealership & was informed to bring vehicle in to be checked. Took vehicle a few months later, and representative checked it out. Took down some information & nothing else.”
NHTSA complaint #877273, filed 2001-01“Car totaled in rear-end wreck. Passenger seatback collapsed when hit from rear, hard contact with 3-point seat belts when thrown forward when car crashed into vehicle stopped in front. Got ride to hospital in ambulance! Driver side seat back did not collapse, driver okay.”
NHTSA complaint #736255, filed 2000-11“This vehicle was in a rear end accident were the driver's seat became totally disconnected from vehicle. Driver of the vehicle died. Vehicle was traveling at 70 MPH and was struck from the rear. Manufacturer has not been contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #857479, filed 2000-02Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 | 3% |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% |
| 1999 | 6 | 2% |
| 1998 | 9 | 2% |
| 1997 | 7 | 1% |
| 1996 | 4 | 2% |
| 1995 | 6 | 1% |
| 1994 | 6 | 2% |
| 1993 | 9 | 2% |
| 1992 | 2 | 1% |
| 1991 | 3 | 1% |
| 1990 | 5 | 5% |
| 1989 | 6 | 4% |
| 1988 | 3 | 2% |
| 1987 | 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 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