Model year guide

1999 Ford Escort

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1999 Ford Escort is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 35 on record.

1999 Ford Escort — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1999 Ford Escort at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints365
Combined25–28 mpg
Typical price$1,124

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1999 Ford Escort recalls 2

Seat Belts:front NHTSA Campaign #04E048000 · 12/07/2004

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.

Fix: TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.

Power Train:manual Transmission:shift Pattern Indicator NHTSA Campaign #99V276000 · manufacturer #99S31 · 12/10/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE S/R OPTION. THE S/R OPTION INCLUDES, AMONG OTHER FEATURES, A 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. ON THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT PATTERN IS NOT DISPLAYED IN THE OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT IN VIEW OF THE DRIVER. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT."

Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADHESIVE BACKED PLAQUE CONTAINING THE SHIFT PATTERN, ALONG WITH MATERIALS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR LOCATING AND AFFIXING THE PLAQUE TO THE VEHICLE CENTER CONSOLE, JUST FORWARD OF THE SHIFT LEVER. OWNERS WILL ALSO BE ADVISED THAT THEIR DEALER CAN AFFIX THE PLAQUE IF THEY …

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1999 Ford Escort common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 365 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

1999 Ford Escort safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1999 Ford Escort 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1999 Ford Escort MPG & running costs

Combined25–28 mpg
City23 mpg
Highway33 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,550
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume87 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 1999 Ford Escort worth?

Low
$600
Typical price
$1,124
High
$2,300

From 6 comparable 1999 Ford Escort listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1999 Ford Escort costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,750
Fuel only$12,750
Per mile$0.17

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT Closed

NHTSA #DP01001 · Air Bags · opened Apr 2001 · closed Nov 2001

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 116

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 116.

FORD: CERTAIN 1999-2001 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN NEW YORK AND CERTAIN 2001 VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF MAINE, CERTIFIED FOR SALE IN CALIFORNIA-FEDERAL EMISSION WARRANTY REFUND. *PE

Bulletin CSP-08B01 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2008

FORD SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. CSC LETTER WAS RECEIVED FOR MODEL YEAR 1999-2001 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN NEW YORK IS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA EMISSION WARRANTY. MODEL IS UNKNOWN. *PE

Bulletin SP-08B01 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Power Train · May 2008

REPLACE TIMING BELT IDLER PULLEY DURING 2.0L ZETEC ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD REPLACEMENT - SERVICE TIP. *TT

Bulletin 19016 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2006

REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT

Bulletin 04189 · Visibility · Dec 2004

GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT

Bulletin 042107 · Power Train · Dec 2004

TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. IS RECALLING CERTAIN SERVICE REPLACEMENT SEATBELT RETRACTORS (DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT RETRACTOR IN GRAY) MANUFACTURED IN DECEMBER 2002 AND SOLD AS A SERVICE REPLACEMENT PART BETWEEN DECEMBER 2002 AND JULY 2004. *TT

Bulletin 04V09 · Seat Belts · Aug 2004

REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT

Bulletin 041514 · Visibility · Aug 2004

INOPERATIVE ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER (HEATED BACKLITE) GRID LINES, INTEGRAL ANTENNA CONCERNS. *TT

Bulletin 031501 · Visibility · Jul 2004

ROUGH IDLE, LOW POWER AND / OR STALL AT IDLE, A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0300 THROUGH P0304 STORED IN MEMORY. *TT

Bulletin 020901 · Electrical System · May 2004

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT

Bulletin 03181 · Electrical System · Sep 2003

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the ESCORT. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Ford Escort

Ford Escort may refer to one of several vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company:Ford Escort (Europe), a vehicle manufactured by Ford Europe from 1968 to 2002 Ford Escort RS Cosworth, sports and rally version of the fifth generation European Escort Ford Escort WRC, a rally car based on the Ford Escort RS Cosworth Ford Escort, a compact car manufactured for the North American market from 1980 to 2003 Ford Escort (China), a Ford Focus-based compact car for the Chinese market from 2015 to 2023 Ford Escort, a variant of the Ford Squire built and marketed in the United Kingdom from 1955 to 1961

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1999 Ford Escort trims & engines on record

Trims
LX · SE · Cool/Hot
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 110 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 130 hp

1999 Ford Escort vehicles on record

1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford Escort LX1FAFP10P6XW130239 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford Escort LX1FAFP10P1XW100288 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford Escort LX1FAFP10PXXW287045 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford Escort LX1FAFP10P7XW180938 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford Escort LX1FAFP10P1XW167098 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford Escort LX1FAFP10P6XW115658 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford Escort LX1FAFP10P3XW266392 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford Escort LX1FAFP10P2XW183844 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford Escort LX1FAFP10P7XW290372 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford Escort SE1FAFP13P1XW132136 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford Escort Cool/Hot3FAKP1137XR101328 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford EscortWF0VXXBBAVXL60379 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford EscortWF0VXXBBAVXY77428 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford EscortWF0VXXBBAVXK30758 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford EscortWF0NXXBBANXL58993 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford EscortWF0AXXBBAAXK26393 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford EscortWF0VXXBBAVXK20481 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford EscortWF0VXXBBAVXK30727 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford EscortWF0VXXBBAVXP32202 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford EscortWF0NXXGGANXJ98249 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford EscortWF0VXXBBAVXM26421 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford EscortWF0NXXBBANXT01925 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford EscortWF0NXXGCANWU23392 1999 Ford Escort 1999 Ford EscortWF0VXXBBAVXK23640

Other Ford Escort model years

2020 2019 2018 2003 2002 2001 2000 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981

1999 Ford Escort — frequently asked questions

Does the 1999 Ford Escort have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1999 Ford Escort. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Ford Escort?

Across all 365 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, air bags, suspension.

What is the 1999 Ford Escort safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1999 Ford Escort crash-test ratings of frontal 3★, side 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1999 Ford Escort get?

The 1999 Ford Escort has U.S. EPA estimates of 25–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

How much is a 1999 Ford Escort worth?

Comparable 1999 Ford Escort listings run roughly $600–$2,300, typically around $1,124 (from 6 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.