1997 Ford Escort Suspension Problems

Which parts fail

• Rear › Springs
  23
• Rear › Springs › Leaf spring assembly
  10
• Rear › Springs › Coil springs
  9
• Front › Springs › Coil springs
  7
• Rear
  6
• Front
  4

Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  00%
• 25k–50k
  733%
• 50k–75k
  629%
• 75k–100k
  314%
• 100k–150k
  524%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Ford Escort owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

I bought a 1997 Ford Escort wagon new and love it and has only 30000 miles on it. Recently I had a problem with steering the vehicle so I had it checked out at an auto repair shop. The mechanic told me I needed new tie rod ends and both rear coil springs were broken. As I do not drive this vehicle hard and do not haul anything except my puppy and groceries, I had a hard time believing this. So I took it to another garage and another mechanic told me the same thing and showed it to me. I am no longer driving this vehicle as it is unsafe and this vehicle should be placed on a recall list and fixed by Ford free of charge. Neither me or my husband have ever had this happen and we feel that definitely this has to be a factory defect. …

I had taken my 1997 Ford Escort in for its annual state inspection, where my rear springs were replaced at my cost. The mechanic working on my car had found that both of the original factory rear springs were broken directly below their plastic covering about one-fifth from the top of the spring. He had said that there were several escorts that he had worked on that had the same breakage at the same section of each of the rear springs. He had advised me to check to see if there were any recalls or service bulletins posted on this problem. I was also told to buy a new set of rear tires as soon as possible, as my present ones have irregular wear. I would like to know if there was or will be a recall on this problem.

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

I took my Escort in for an inspection and the rear coil springs are broken again the first time they broke the dealer replaced them and said he thought a recall would be issued because Ford new there was a problem with them now once again they are broken and there is still no recall if someone knew there was a problem with them why aren't they correcting the problem and do we the consumers have to keep shelling out our hard earned money for repairs. This car is a 1997 Ford Escort and rear springs were replaced twice just not fair.

Took car (1997 Ford Escort) to shop for routine state inspection and was informed that the right rear coil spring was broken and would need to be replaced to pass inspection. I was very surprised since the car only has 30,000 miles on it and has been driven very conservatively. Mechanic stated that premature failure of rear suspension coil springs was a common problem with Ford escorts. Request government intervention to make Ford co. Reimburse consumer expense caused by faulty coil springs.

Both rear springs found broken at state inspection. I was informed that this was a very common problem and it is the first thing that the inspectors look at because of this. Evidently very well known in the trade. What can I do about it. Evidently this occurred "quite awhile ago". I now have to spend $250.00 to fix it. If this is that common why has Ford evidently chosen to ignore this problem?

While driving , the steering wheel felt loose and made a loud noise. The dealer replaced the tie rod at owner's expense. Consumer feels that she should be reimbursed for the cost of repairs. The vehicle's rear coil springs broke at 16219 miles. The front coil spring broke at 16279 miles and was replaced under warranty. Catalytic converter failed causing noise.

1997 Ford Escort had both rear springs broken at the same place. Had them replaced by mechanic who told me they should have never broken. I want Ford to be accountable for this and reimburse me for the repair. If 1 spring was broken then I could see it being possible, but both at the same place???? They were manufactured poorly.

Rear coil springs are cracked - both sides. Vehicle only 5 years old. Used in primarily in city, running errands - for retired couple. Also: left outer tie rod end is worn out and has to be replaced. This causes a vibration at highway speeds and also rattles when going over small bumps (<1") at low speeds (<10 MPH).

The vehicle experienced a problem with the lower control arm. The vehicle was purchased used, as is. However, the owner was told that if there were any safety features that were effected, the dealership would repair. The dealership refused to pay for towing the vehicle back to their lot. Provide further details.

Suspension complaints in other Escort years