1999 Ford Escort problems
Owners have filed 413 complaints about the 1999 Ford Escort with NHTSA. Air bags account for 16.7% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 15%.
Complaints413
Crashes99
Fires14
Injuries80
Deaths5
What owners report breaking
Air bags 16.7% · 69
Engine and engine cooling 15.0% · 62
Electrical system 11.4% · 47
Suspension 10.2% · 42
Power train 8.5% · 35
Service brakes, hydraulic 6.5% · 27
Seat belts 4.4% · 18
Steering 3.9% · 16
Severity
Of those complaints, 99 describe a crash, 14 describe a fire, 80 report an injury and 5 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 11 model years of the Ford Escort in this data, 1999 sits 6th by complaint volume. 1997 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 7 in the last three years against 17 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 70,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owned a 1999 Ford Escort. While driving 40-45 mph, the consumer was involved in a crash and the air bags did not deploy upon impact. The police and ambulance appeared on the scene and one of the vehicle occupants was reported injured. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound lot. The failure and current mileages were 132,000. Updated 10/19/10 Air bags · reported at 132,000 miles
While driving at night at approximately 50mph a deer ran out in front. Vehicle swerved to avoid hitting deer. It went off the shoulder. Brought vehicle back to the road and vehicle tipped on the driver's side. Then came back on all four, and continued down the road out of control hit an embakment head-on. Neither airbags deployed. Contact dealer and manufacturer. Air bags
: The contact stated that the front driver air bag did not deploy in a head-on collission that occurred while driving 42 mph. There was pre-impact braking, the seat belt was worn and the airbag warning light was not illuminated prior to the crash. There were no injuries to the driver. The service dealer have not yet determined the damages on the vehicle. Air bags · reported at 73,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…