Model year guide

1997 Ford Escort

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Ford Escort is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 19 on record.

1997 Ford Escort — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1997 Ford Escort at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints610
Combined26–28 mpg
Typical price$792

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

1997 Ford Escort recalls 2

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive NHTSA Campaign #02V323000 · 09/12/2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR (IABM) CAN BE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER OR OTHER LIQUIDS AND COULD EXPERIENCE INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORTING.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE SHIELD OVER THE IABM AND APPLY NYOGEL GREASE TO THE CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 11, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD…

Seat Belts:front NHTSA Campaign #04E048000 · 12/07/2004

CERTAIN TRW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED ON DECEMBER 6 AND 9, 2002, FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1997 FORD ESCORT 4-DOOR AND STATION WAGON PLATFORM VEHICLES, FORD'S P/N F7CZ54611B09AAC. THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT A NO-LOCK CONDITION WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.

Fix: TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.

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.

1997 Ford Escort common problems

Owners have filed 610 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

1997 Ford Escort safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1997 Ford Escort 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1997 Ford Escort MPG & running costs

Combined26–28 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway33 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,500

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 1997 Ford Escort worth?

Low
$500
Typical price
$792
High
$1,200

From 13 comparable 1997 Ford Escort listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1997 Ford Escort costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,500
Fuel only$12,500
Per mile$0.17

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.

1997 Ford Escort trims & engines on record

Trims
LX · Base
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 104 hp

1997 Ford Escort vehicles on record

1997 Ford Escort 1997 Ford Escort Base1FALP10P1VW256976 1997 Ford Escort 1997 Ford Escort LX1FALP13P1VW402434 1997 Ford Escort 1997 Ford Escort LX1FALP13P0VW284716 1997 Ford Escort 1997 Ford Escort LX1FALP13P6VW357720 1997 Ford Escort 1997 Ford Escort Base1FALP10P3VW358330 1997 Ford Escort 1997 Ford Escort LX3FALP15P0VR133116 1997 Ford Escort 1997 Ford Escort LX3FALP15PXVR114296 1997 Ford Escort 1997 Ford Escort LX1FALP13PXVW315194 1997 Ford Escort 1997 Ford Escort LX1FALP13P0VW365991 1997 Ford Escort 1997 Ford Escort LX1FALP13PXVW179021 1997 Ford Escort 1997 Ford Escort LX1FALP13PXVW404750 1997 Ford Escort 1997 Ford Escort LX1FALP13PXVW411987 1997 Ford Escort 1997 Ford Escort LX1FALP13P0VW378160 1997 Ford Escort 1997 Ford Escort LX1FALP13P3VW162061 1997 Ford Escort 1997 Ford Escort LX3FALP15P9VR156748 1997 Ford Escort 1997 Ford Escort LX3FALP15P5VR129790 1997 Ford Escort LX1FALP13P8VW234260 1997 Ford Escort LX1FALP13PXVW207383 1997 Ford Escort 1997 Ford Escort LX3FALP15P2VR141041

Other Ford Escort model years

2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1996 1995 1994 1993

1997 Ford Escort — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Ford Escort have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1997 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 1997 Ford Escort?

Owners have filed 610 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, electrical system, fuel/propulsion system.

What is the 1997 Ford Escort safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1997 Ford Escort crash-test ratings of frontal 3★, side 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1997 Ford Escort get?

The 1997 Ford Escort has U.S. EPA estimates of 26–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

How much is a 1997 Ford Escort worth?

Comparable 1997 Ford Escort listings run roughly $500–$1,200, typically around $792 (from 13 vehicles).

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