1996 Ford Escort Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1996 Ford Escort recalls

No safety recalls on file for the 1996 Ford Escort.

Most common 1996 Ford Escort problems

Problem areas named in the 205 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Seat Belts	80
Engine And Engine Cooling	36
Air Bags	21
Power Train	20
Electrical System	19
Suspension	13
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	12
Steering	10
Fuel System, Gasoline	8
Unknown Or Other	7

What owners report

2016-05-11, Fuel/Propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL FILLER LINE FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE PREVIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

2015-01-23, Seat Belts
THE DRIVER SIDE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT HAS CEASED FUNCTIONING AND IS NOW STUCK MIDWAY ALONG THE TOP PART OF THE SEAT BELT TRACK. THIS BEING THE CASE THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT PROTECT THE DRIVER IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP. IN THIS POSITION IT IS LIKELY THAT IN A SUDDEN STOP THE DRIVER'S HEAD WOULD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND A MORE SEVERE THAN NORMAL WHIPLASH IN THE NECK WOULD OCCUR. I HAVE NOTED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SEAT BELT ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE ONLINE. I CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE AND THERE IS NO RECALL NOTICE OR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. I THINK THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE ON FORD'S PART. AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, WHO HAS WORKED IN A HOSPITAL NEUROSURGERY UNIT, THE POTENTIAL FOR

2012-05-26, Seat Belts
I AM ADDING ANOTHER COMPLAINT TO THE VAST LIST OF PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING MY 1996 FORD ESCORT AND THE FAILURE OF MY PASSIVE RESTRAINT SHOULDER BELT. IT HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS FOR PROBABLY THE LAST 8-10 YEARS. IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STOP MID-TRACK AND "BOUNCING" THE DOOR AGAINST THE HINGE WOULD GET IT TO MOVE. TWO WEEKS AGO, IT STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACK. I, TOO, COULD HEAR THE MOTOR TRYING TO MAKE IT GO. I LEFT IT ALONE AND ABOUT 4 DAYS LATER, IT RESUMED OPERATING. NOW A WEEK LATER, IT HAS FROZEN AGAIN, A LITTLE MORE FORWARD IN THE TRACK THAN PREVIOUSLY. I AM DISHEARTEN TO LEARN THAT OTHERS WHO HAVE TRIED THE PROCESS EXPLAINED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO MANUALLY MOVE

2011-04-06, Latches/Locks/Linkages
1996 FORD ESCORT, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING WEST BOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. UNIT 1'S HOOD OPENED AND STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. UNIT 1 CONTINUED ON TO THE NEXT EMERGENCY PULL OFF TO FILE THE REPORT. BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0142-90)*JB UPDATED 04/22/11 *BF

2010-08-09, Tires
MY WIFE & I HAVE A 1996 FORD ESCORT WAGON THAT WE PURCHASED USED IN 2008. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE IT HAD A SET OF 4 BRIDGESTONE INSIGNIA SL TIRES THAT STILL HAD REASONABLE TREAD DEPTH REMAINING, SO WE DECIDED TO CONTINUE TO USE THE TIRES UNTIL THE TREAD HAD WORN DOWN MORE AND NEEDED REPLACING. ON FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2010, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN PART OF THE REAR PASSENGER-SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE AND SHOT AGAINST THE SHEET METAL ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELL. IT RIPPED A LARGE HOLE IN THE VEHICLE'S SHEET METAL, SHOT MANY SMALL PIECES OF TIRE THROUGH THE HOLE INTO THE INTERIOR CARGO AREA IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, AND CAUSED THE VEHI

1996 Ford Escort questions

Does the 1996 Ford Escort have any recalls?

No. NHTSA has no safety recalls on file for the 1996 Ford Escort at this time.

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

Based on 205 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Seat Belts (80), Engine And Engine Cooling (36), Air Bags (21).

How do I check if a recall on my 1996 Ford Escort has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.