Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Ford Escort owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford Escort. While driving 20 MPH, the vehicle caught fire under the hood without warning. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. There were no injuries. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 144,998.
There have been many problems with my 1998 Ford Escort since I purchased it new in August, 1998. The most severe and recent problem was repaired in December, 2002. The head gasket blew, causing major overheating problems in my vehicle. The vehicle had less than 40,000 miles. I am not certain if the head gasket became faulty while vehicle was being built, or if fullerton Ford damaged the gasket while doing work on my vehicle, and then attempted to sodder the part together. According to corbo's auto service in somerville, the gasket had a "soddered" hole in it which caused the gasket to blow. Fullerton form was the only repair facility I had taken my vehicle to be repaired before it was taken to corbo's. I have called Ford on several occasions to complain about the service work at fullerton. …
I have a 1998 Ford Escort I only have 19.099 miles. I purchase this card on November of1998, therefore the driving time will be 4 years on this November. My engine went dead. The dealer is telling me that my car no longer has any warranty. I have explained that I have expended $14.000 for the use of this new car for 4 years. An as far I cold see. The engine was already defective from the manufacturer. Because if I have driven this car 20.000 miles on the first two years the defective engine would had gone long before that. And you would have recognized that this engines a lemon and I would have a replacement then. I have this car service by them. They have all service records of my vehicle engine checks. So my question is what went wrong when there were servicing my car all this time? …
At 123,00mi I noticed water leaking form behind water pump took it to Ford dealer and they had to replace the water pump housing part #f8rz-8501-en it had eroded from the inside out resulting in a pinhole leak I also had the water pump, timing belt replased just in caseat a cost of 625 dollars. 13 months and 33,000mi later same problem with water pump housing eroding for inside out of corse it was out of warranty and the timing belt was failing do to a seized idler cost to repair 700 dollars. The idler you can chalk up to bad luck the housing on the other hand is ridiculous it has no moving parts other than antifreeze running through it and the mechanics have no idea what is causing this. I don't care to spend this kind of money every year for some bad casting on fords part 1 year or 12,00 mi should not apply to apart that should last a whole lot longer.
Dt: 1998 Ford Escort. The consumer took the vehicle to dealer to be serviced, and the service department noticed the rear coil springs were broken , approximately 1 turns from the top. The consumer contacted Ford, and they told him the part was not under warranty. The coil springs were replaced. There had been no noticeable problems before this. The caplipers were replaced due them being frozen. The crank pulley and serpentine belt were replace.
While driving vehicle shook and made noise. Then, suddenly vehicle shut down. The engine was defective. Car shook and made noises. The vehicle refused to start or move after it shut off. The mechanic stated that the vehicle had engine problems. Updated 11/29/2005 - updated 12/07/05.
Dealer was unable to diagnose vehicle problem of high pitch whining sound that developed after the engine warmed up to normal operating temperature. In my observations I noted that the engine was not circulating the engine oil properly. When pulling out the oil dipstick it was apparent that a vacuum problem existed in the engine. Also when taking off the oil filler cap a vacuum sound was detected. Finally I removed the part at the top rear of the engine which is connected with hoses to the air filter housing. I immediately noted that the engine started to run smoother and after driving the vehicle for 2 hrs no noise was detected from the engine. It is obvious that the vacuum caused by the defective filter did not allow the engine to be properly circulated in the engine. The vehicle ran hot and the coolant had to be topped off. I feel the defective filter has caused engine damage. …
Engine vibrates, and has a high idle. Engine runs rough and shakes. Engine surges and hesitates. Car stalls. I have had the vehicle in for this same repair several times since the purchase of it. The mechanics have replaced spark plugs, fuel guage, fuel filter, valve idle air control, vapor management, motor mounts. The dearlership in hillsborough replaced a cable something (the service manger quit and a ticket was not found for this repair.) the vehicle continues to have same problem without being totally fixed. The last time I brought the car in for stalling, the repair was done, but the next morning the car continued to stall. As of this date, I am taking the car in for the same problem again. Please note: in reviewing the information after submittting I noticed that in # of failures passenger air bag deployed 8 times with the date of 7/24/98. …
Vehicle started, engine rattled upon acceleration at all speeds at 2300 miles. After numerous failed repair attempts by dealer,I sent complaint to fords dsb board.working throgh arbitration vehicle looked at by engineer.they replaced PCM.problem got worse,along with new problems,lack of power,hard start,transmission hesitaing.then they replaced fuel pump,didnt help, then ignition switch, didnt help,then mass air flow sensor and air filter, didnt help.finally vehicle started stalling while driving, during acc. Towed back to shop, Ford had it six weeks this time replaced PCM two more times.I have vehicle back,still problem with transmission hesitating.vehicle in shop eight times for same or related problems and totalling almost three months in shop. Still in arbitration, consdering closing case and taking to dsb. Personally.
When you try to use the washer fluid it leaks on the hood of the car causing the hood to become discolored from the windsheild washer fluid. Also whenever you are at a stop the car starts to shake, they Ford say that it is from the engine mounts and that it is not hazardous so they will not do anything about. Last their is problems with the transmision, whenever you are moving slow or in a stop position and start to move the car jerks really bad. It makes you feel like someone ran into you or that you ran something over. I have reported this to the company, but they can't do nothing about. I have heard other people with the ecaxt same car have the exact same problems
Engine complaints in other Escort years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1998 Ford Escort?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1998 Ford Escort, 13% of the model year's 375 complaints. The component named most often is engine (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Escort engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1998 Ford Escort. 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 1998 Ford Escort engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.