1999 Ford Escort
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 79 of 340 complaints (23%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 383 in 1998 to 340 in 1999.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | vs. 1999 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,250–2,400 | 2,250–2,500 | 2,250–2,500 | 2,300–2,500 | 2,400–2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–28 | 25–28 | 25–28 | 25–27 | 25–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–24 / 31–34 | 22–24 / 30–34 | 22–24 / 30–34 | 22–24 / 30–32 | 22–23 / 30–32 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 317–342 | 317–355 | 317–355 | 329–355 | 342–355 | |
| Complaints filed | 543 | 383 | 340 | 105 | 86 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 67 | 85 | 82 | 22 | 15 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 83 | 11 | 12 | 2 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 65 | 79 | 57 | 21 | 7 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1999 Ford Escort have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1999 Ford Escort?
Airbags & Restraints: 79 of 340 NHTSA complaints (23%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1999 Ford Escort get?
EPA rates it 25–28 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1999 Ford Escort?
EPA estimates $2,250–$2,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 355 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 355 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 31 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 355 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 24 mpg (high) | 34 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,250 (low) | 317 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 22 mpg (low) | 31 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 355 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 24 mpg (high) | 34 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,250 (low) | 317 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 70 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 38 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 14 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical | 40 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| Brakes | 26 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 17 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 56 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 79 | 65 | 3 | 52 | 3 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 17 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 23 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 19 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
SEAT BELTS:FRONT · Campaign 04E048000 · Jul 13, 2004
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR · Campaign 99V276000 · Oct 26, 1999
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE S/R OPTION. THE S/R OPTION INCLUDES, AMONG OTHER FEATURES, A 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. ON THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT PATTERN IS NOT DISPLAYED IN THE OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT IN VIEW OF THE DRIVER. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT."
Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION POSITION OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADHESIVE BACKED PLAQUE CONTAINING THE SHIFT PATTERN, ALONG WITH MATERIALS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR LOCATING AND AFFIXING THE PLAQUE TO THE VEHICLE CENTER CONSOLE, JUST FORWARD OF THE SHIFT LEVER. OWNERS WILL ALSO BE ADVISED THAT THEIR DEALER CAN AFFIX THE PLAQUE IF THEY PREFER.