1997 Ford Escort

$4,499

from

listings

$4K–$4K

price range

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Low$4,499

High$4,499

From$4,499

Avg Mileage75,000 mi

Fresh

Sourced from 1 active dealer listings as of May 2026

1997 Ford Escort Pricing

Price Trend

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Ford Escort Safety & Reliability

Elevated

The 1997 Ford Escort's elevated safety profile includes 2 recall campaigns and 610 owner-reported complaints. Make recall verification part of your pre-purchase checklist.

Recalls

610

Complaints

Crashes

120

Fires

Recall Findings

02V3230002002-09-12

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR (IABM) CAN BE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER OR OTHER LIQUIDS AND COULD EXPERIENCE INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORTING.

THIS MAY, IN TURN, CAUSE THE AIR BAG READINESS LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND IN VERY RARE OCCURRENCES, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, MELTED WIRING, OR FIRE MAY OCCUR.

View at NHTSA

04E0480002004-12-07

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

CERTAIN TRW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED ON DECEMBER 6 AND 9, 2002, FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1997 FORD ESCORT 4-DOOR AND STATION WAGON PLATFORM VEHICLES, FORD'S P/N F7CZ54611B09AAC. THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT A NO-LOCK CONDITION WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 1997 Ford Escort has accumulated 610 NHTSA complaints over 1 years, with air bags leading the pack. Know what to look for before you buy.

01Air Bags118

02Electrical System111

03Suspension55

04Engine And Engine Cooling47

05Service Brakes, Hydraulic33

610 total across 1 model years (1997–1997)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Ford Escort Fuel Economy

26–28mpg combined

23-24city

31-34hwy

$1,550-$1,700/yr

With 4 configurations tested, the 1997 Ford Escort ranges from 26 to 28 MPG combined. That's a 2 MPG gap that can add up to hundreds of dollars a year in fuel costs.

By Trim

Escort - Manual 5-spd

28mpg

2.0L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

24 city34 hwy~$1,550/yr-1/10 Poor

Escort Wagon - Manual 5-spd

28mpg

2.0L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

24 city34 hwy~$1,550/yr-1/10 Poor

Escort - Automatic 4-spd

26mpg

2.0L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

23 city31 hwy~$1,700/yr-1/10 Poor

Escort Wagon - Automatic 4-spd

26mpg

2.0L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

23 city31 hwy~$1,700/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 1997 Ford Escort

7States

50%in top 3

If you're near North Carolina, you're in luck: 25% of listings are there. But with 7 states represented, there's likely one near you too.

NCNorth Carolina

225%

MDMaryland

113%

IDIdaho

113%

WAWashington

113%

WIWisconsin

113%

CACalifornia

113%

DCWashington DC

113%

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 1997.

1997 Ford Escort: Questions Buyers Ask

Pricing, reliability, and ownership answers

Is the 1997 Ford Escort a good car to buy?

Here's the short version on the 1997 Ford Escort. There are 2 recalls to verify before purchase. Dig into the safety overview and pricing trends for recall-by-recall detail.

Are there recalls on the 1997 Ford Escort?

Yes, 2 recalls on record. The good news: recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Check the safety report for specifics, and always run the VIN before buying.

What's the gas mileage of the 1997 Ford Escort?

Fuel economy ranges from 26 to 28 MPG combined. If you drive 15,000 miles a year, that gap is worth about $144 annually. See the fuel economy section for per-trim data.

What are common problems with the 1997 Ford Escort?

AIR BAGS problems top the list with 610 total complaints filed. Not every car is affected, but it's worth asking about and inspecting. Full details in the known issues section.

How does the 1997 compare to other Ford Escort years?

Each Ford Escort model year has different pricing, recall counts, and owner satisfaction patterns. Compare all available years on the Ford Escort overview page.