Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Ford Escort. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle. The driver of the contact's vehicle and four occupants in the other vehicle were injured. Medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The air bags deployed on impact. Prior to the crash, the vehicle accelerated while the brakes were being applied. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was 144,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Ford Escort. Whenever the brakes were applied, the contact would hear a grinding noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they replaced the front rotors and pads. The current and failure mileages were 7,367.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Escort. When the contact depressed the brake pedal, the vehicle dramatically surged forward and crashed into another vehicle. She took her vehicle to the dealer and they repaired the coil spring in the brake pedal, along with other cosmetic repairs. One month later, while attempting to park the vehicle into a parking space, it surged forward again and crashed into a pipe. The air bags deployed and the vehicle sustained moderate damage. An investigator from her insurance company is in the process of inspecting the vehicle. The contact has pictures of the vehicle. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 115,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Escort. The contact stated that the shift anti- lock actuator failed and the vehicle would not shift out of park. The vehicle was repaired October 24, 2003 when the dealer replaced the shifter and the cable assembly. The contact stated that the failure recurred. In addition, the contact stated that the rear passenger seat belt did not work properly and that the shoulder strap would not buckle properly. The failure mileage was 75,000. The ABS light would randomly illuminate. Updated 12/15/11 updated 12/28/11 the right rear seat belt was twisted, which made it inoperable, the brake shift inter-lock malfunctioned and the consumer was unable to shift the from park to drive. Updated 03.12.12
While driving at any speed and whenever the gas pedal was depressed the vehicle revved, but did not accelerate. The consumer had this problem since buying the vehicle brand new. One transmission had been replaced by the dealer. The transmission hesitated and shifted harshly, there was a popping noise with the braking at all times, the plastic molding interior of the driver mirror was loose, there was a slow start when cold or damp weather is present,the vehicle would experience rough idle at the stop position, the cd player had been looked at three times, the cruise control was looked at three times and remained inoperative.
Transmission went out. The car had 2400 miles on it when I bought it. It should have been been pre owned. They sold it to me saying it was new but someone else put 2400 miles on it. Now I fell thats the reason why my transmission failed prematureley. Ford has denied me a awa because they said I'm not a loyal customer just because I got my transmission serviced somewhere else. Thank you for hearing me out please e-mail/call me at any time to tell me what steps I could take to have Ford pay some/all of the cost of repair to my transmission. Thanks again, keon walker
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Escort years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (42), 1998 (35), 1995 (27), 1999 (25) and 1996 (11) model years. Brake complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Ford Escort brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for any Ford Escort model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Escort brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 105,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (42 mentions), followed by the foundation components (34).
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.