Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Ford Escort owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Ford brake engineers designed to brake effort proportioning the master cylinder to allocate 85-90% of the braking to the front wheels and only 10 to 15%to the rear wheels. This proportion is incorrect and results in the inability to stop the car under emergency braking situations. It is not possibly to lockup the rear wheels even with the brake pedal to the floor. When the front wheel break traction on slipery surfaces the car looses its ability to stop in a reasonable length. This miss allocation of braking effort resulted in a near rear end accident in 1997 and resulted recently in totalling the vehicle this April. This braking system should have been recalled years ago to correct the embalance of the braking action. I tried to bring this design problem to the attention of Ford motor company in 1995 but it fell on deaf ears. …
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Escort. When making a right turn at various speeds, the contact heard a clunking sound coming from the front end ball joints. The dealer stated that the brake pads, rotors, drums, and front wheel bearing on the passenger side needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the odometer and speedometer have both been replaced three times, but she does not trust that the speedometer is currently working properly. The failure mileage was 115,000. Updated 06-03/08. The tie rod end, rear spring, windshield, upper ball joint, odometer knob, real passenger seal were all replaced. Updated 05/30/08
The brakes failed while my wife was driving this car. It was not very difficult to diagnose the problem. The brake fluid leaked out of a brake line in the rear of the car. The location of the brake line failure is where the line is fastened to the body when the car was manufactured. It is my opinion that this defect May exist on many other vehicles of this type, that is why I am reporting it to you.
Owner states that brakes do not grab and that once vehicle was involved in an accident as a result of this. Brake pedal goes to the floor . No ABS brakes, they are standard power brakes. Dealer cannot find problem.
While pulling out from a light consumer applied brakes and they went straight to the floorboard, causing the consumer to rear end vehicle in front. Consumer had just had the rotors turned and front brakes replaced.
Consumer requesting restitution for a house fire that was caused by a vehicle fire. Prior to the fire the vehicle also experienced a problem with the alternator and the brakes squeaking.
I purchased a new 1997 Ford Escort in September 1996. After driving the car for about a week the anti-lock brake light came on and the car was losing brake fluid. This happened a couple of times. I took the car back to the dealer and was advised that the brake fitting was missing some threads. Dealer fixed problem. This past January I got a letter from Ford about the recall for the air bag monitor/sensor problem and had to take it to the local dealer to have that problem corrected. Now the car has a slow coolant leak. I took it to a repair shop and was advised that the head gasket is leaking. The car only has about 62,850 miles on it and has been very well maintained. It will cost approximately $800.00 - $1000.00 to replace the head gasket. I feel this head gasket failure is premature and Ford should pay for it. …
The car that I had purchased has not lived up to it's expectations since I purchased it. Since I have had the car, I purchased it in sept. Of 1998, the brakes have completely gone out, the emergency light comes on constantly even thought the emergency brake is not on. When purchasing the car, I had explained to the car dealer the I, being of only 19 yrs of age and this being my first big purchase I could not afford to buy a car then end up having to put tons of money into it. I am very upset at the fact that I have had the car for only a short while, the warranty has passed (how conveinient) and I refuse to be held responsible for a faulty sensor.
Within 4 mths had problem w/ transmission, took 4 mins for dealer to say theres nothing wrong, when I got my new tires for pepboys I had to fix my brakes, transmission,suspension, even got speed tickets for no reason,I keep my car in very good condition and I still have my engine light on and I have about 70% of the same problems others have in the nhtsacmplt section. I think the Escort should be recalled for so many unsafe problems.( dot number: uj956klp12 tire size: p19570r14 )
Brake pads were wearing out quicker then normally. There were also clips that have broken because consumer has had rotors changed, and pads changed soon after vehicle was bought. Has contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.
Brake complaints in other Escort years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1997 Ford Escort?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Ford Escort, 8% of the model year's 543 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Escort brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1997 Ford Escort, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Escort brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.