Model year guide

1998 Ford Escort

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Ford Escort is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 11 on record.

1998 Ford Escort — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 Ford Escort at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints416
Combined25–28 mpg
Typical price$1,141

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

1998 Ford Escort recalls 1

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.

1998 Ford Escort common problems

Owners have filed 416 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
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.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

1998 Ford Escort MPG & running costs

Combined25–28 mpg
City23 mpg
Highway33 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,550

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 1998 Ford Escort worth?

Low
$600
Typical price
$1,141
High
$2,695

From 6 comparable 1998 Ford Escort listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 Ford Escort costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,750
Fuel only$12,750
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.

1998 Ford Escort trims & engines on record

Trims
SE · LX
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 110 hp

1998 Ford Escort vehicles on record

1998 Ford Escort 1998 Ford Escort SE1FAFP15P9WW164313 1998 Ford Escort 1998 Ford Escort SE3FAFP15P8WR190999 1998 Ford Escort 1998 Ford Escort LX1FAFP10P6WW130594 1998 Ford Escort 1998 Ford Escort SE3FAFP15P7WR169111 1998 Ford Escort 1998 Ford Escort SE3FAFP15P2WR231627 1998 Ford Escort 1998 Ford Escort LX1FAFP10P1WW293444 1998 Ford Escort SE3FAFP15P3WR203934 1998 Ford Escort 1998 Ford Escort LX1FAFP10P6WW291723 1998 Ford Escort 1998 Ford Escort LX1FAFP10P8WW119158 1998 Ford Escort 1998 Ford Escort LX1FAFP10P6WW137903 1998 Ford Escort SE1FAFP13P7WW183641

Other Ford Escort model years

2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993

1998 Ford Escort — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Ford Escort have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1998 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 1998 Ford Escort?

Owners have filed 416 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are suspension, structure, tires.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Ford Escort get?

The 1998 Ford Escort has U.S. EPA estimates of 25–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

How much is a 1998 Ford Escort worth?

Comparable 1998 Ford Escort listings run roughly $600–$2,695, typically around $1,141 (from 6 vehicles).

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