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 1999 Ford Escort owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Escort. While driving 60 MPH, the brake pedal extended to the floorboard when it was depressed. The contact applied the parking brake to stop the vehicle. As a result, he crashed into the front of another vehicle. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a mechanic and he stated that the master cylinder failed. The master cylinder was replaced and there had been no further occurrences. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 100,000. Updated 01-10-08. Updated 12/31/07
1) headlamps: originally thought there was a loose wire because right light would work periodically. Upon further inspection, my mechanic found the connection to which the "bulb" was plugged had melted some what. He suggested that I return to the dealer to ask if there were any recalls on this particular problem, which I intend to do tomorrow. 2) brake pedal: recently I found it necessary to have new brake pads installed. Part of the problem (for me) was the brake pedal was too soft and too low (the brakes were bad also). The repairs were made by an extremely reputable mechanic. Unfortunately, the brake pedal is still too soft and too low.
Dt: the vehicle was a 1999 Ford Escort. Both of the back coil springs were broken. Consumer found this out when getting the brakes inspected. The front brake rotors, tie rods and the rear struts including the coil springs needed to be replaced. The inspection took place on 7-8-05. Consumer took the vehicle to a Ford dealer to have all the parts replaced. They were replaced on 7-20/22-05. Vehicle was shaking before hand. Consumer knew that Ford company issued a recall issue concerning this problem with some of their other models. Updated 11/02/2005.
ABS brakes failed in dry, sunny weather in school zone at 3 pm when kids were coming out of school. Could not turn vehicle onto sidewalk because of children and hit stopped vehicle despite a 200 ft stopping distance at 25 MPH. ABS brakes did not slow vehicle at all. Ford claims no ABS brake defect. Car returned from Ford dealer's collision body shop after 3 months. Car now stops but likely has undiagnosed ABS brake defect. Ford refuses to provide a letter stating that car is safe to drive. Car is likely hazard to family drivers and the public. Please help me.
1999 Ford Escort made a grinding noise when brakes were applied. Upon inspection mechanic determined it was the tone ring that needed to be replaced. The consumer was told that the tone ring is a part of the ABS system. The consumer contacted the manufacturer but since the vehicle was no longer under warranty they provided not assistance.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Escort. The contact stated the vehicle was rusted on the front drivers side brake lines. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.
Company states they do a comprehensive inspection, sell high quality used vehicles, meet customers personal needs, and back their product. No inspection was done, only cosmetic repairs to sell the car. No inspection report can be produced except the repairs before car was put on lot. This vehicle is far from the high quality. We have had this vehicle back in the shop 14 times in 14 months. It did not meet the 4 personal needs we requested. Everything with those needs has gone completely wrong! We did not want a Ford; we got a Ford, it is not reliable. We have been dealing with the ac at the shop 7 times, now rendering the car disabled. It is not reliable, keeps breaking down. It does not get good mileage; car gets 21 mpg when it should get about 35-38 according to mfg. Warranty was burned by miles going back and forth to shop for constant repairs. 700 miles for the same issue- the ac. …
6-7 times brake pedal got stuck. It happened only on highway and beltway at 55 MPH or higher. When pressing down on brake pedal it get stuck, and continuing to press down it became unstuck. Dealer has been able to duplicate problem, but they could do anything wrong. 2 mechanics has test driven vehicle, and another mechanic from dealership will be test drive it again. When the consumer applied brake at 55 MPH, the brakes became hard and the steering wheel shimmyed followed by brake going to floor.
I own 2 Ford escorts a 1999 Escort se, and a 2002 Escort se, I've noticed on both vehicles, when I've had to do an emergency stop (slamming the brakes) both vehicles take fairly long to respond, increasing the braking distance. I have 2 other friends who own similar escorts, and notice the same problem, I feel that this concern needs to be investigated for a potential defect in the braking system.
Consumer is having constant problems with the brakes. There is no noise. But in order for vehicle to stop, pedal must be pushed all the way to the floor. Automobile has been taken to the dealer on four different occasions. Dealer has not been able to find a remedy to the problem. This is causing consumer fear of driving, and could result in a serious accident.
Brake complaints in other Escort years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1999 Ford Escort?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Ford Escort, 8% of the model year's 325 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Escort brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1999 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 1999 Ford Escort brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 113,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries 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.