Model year guide

1996 Ford Escort

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Ford Escort is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 5 on record.

1996 Ford Escort — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1996 Ford Escort at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints248
Combined22–30 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1996 Ford Escort recalls 1

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1996 Ford Escort common problems

Owners have filed 248 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Latches/locks/linkages
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

1996 Ford Escort MPG & running costs

Combined22–30 mpg
City23 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,700

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1996 Ford Escort costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,500
Fuel only$13,500
Per mile$0.18

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1996 Ford Escort trims & engines on record

Trims
LX
Engines
1.9L 4-cyl

1996 Ford Escort vehicles on record

1996 Ford Escort 1996 Ford Escort LX1FASP15J5TW130603 1996 Ford Escort 1996 Ford Escort LX1FASP15J9TW131561 1996 Ford Escort 1996 Ford Escort LX1FASP11J9TW166641 1996 Ford Escort 1996 Ford Escort LX1FASP15J0TW181457 1996 Ford Escort 1996 Ford Escort LX3FASP11J6TR154207

Other Ford Escort model years

2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1995 1994 1993

1996 Ford Escort — frequently asked questions

Does the 1996 Ford Escort have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1996 Ford Escort. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Ford Escort?

Owners have filed 248 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are seat belts, tires, engine and engine cooling.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Ford Escort get?

The 1996 Ford Escort has U.S. EPA estimates of 22–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.