Newest first. Many cover only part of a model year, so check your VIN with Ford before booking a repair.
Transport Canada · listed for this model year
On certain vehicles, the Integrated Air Bag Monitor (IABM) contaminated with water or other liquids may experience internal electrical shorting. This in turn may result in air bag readiness light illumination; however in very rare occurrences, airbag deployment, melted wiring or fire may occur. Correction: Dealer will install a shield over the IABM and nyogel grease to the connector.
2002236 · 42,109 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
United States records (NHTSA) · 2
These are NHTSA campaigns for 1997 Ford Escort vehicles sold in the United States. They are not Canadian recalls: NHTSA's VIN lookup has no Canadian data, and a US campaign may have no Canadian counterpart, or one under a different number covering different vehicles. For a vehicle sold in Canada, go by the Transport Canada listing above and Ford's Canadian VIN lookup.
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.
TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.
04E048000 · 388 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
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.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE SHIELD OVER THE IABM AND APPLY NYOGEL GREASE TO THE CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 11, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
02V323000 · 396,217 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
1997 Ford Escort recall questions
Transport Canada lists 1 recall for the 1997 Ford Escort model year. That counts campaigns naming this model year, not recalls on your vehicle: many cover only a VIN range or production window, and some only vehicles found on inspection. NHTSA lists 2 United States campaigns for the US-market model, shown separately; a US campaign may have no Canadian equivalent.
Enter your VIN in Ford's Canadian recall lookup, or call a Ford dealer with your VIN. In Canada the manufacturer is responsible for showing recall and repair status for each VIN, so its lookup is the authoritative answer. Cardog uses your VIN only to find the model year; the recalls shown here are listed for that model year and are not matched to your VIN.
Not necessarily. NHTSA campaigns cover vehicles sold in the United States, and NHTSA's VIN lookup has no Canadian data. When a defect also affects Canadian vehicles, the manufacturer files a separate notice with Transport Canada, often under a different number and sometimes covering a different set of vehicles. For a Canadian vehicle, go by the Transport Canada listing and Ford's Canadian lookup.
Safety recall repairs are normally done at no charge by an authorized Ford dealer. The manufacturer's notice for each campaign sets out the remedy and any conditions, so confirm with the dealer when you book.
Once Ford's lookup or a dealer confirms a recall applies, book the repair with an authorized Ford dealer and bring your VIN. If the manufacturer's notice says not to drive the vehicle or to park it outside, follow that instruction. Parts can take time, so book early.
Follow the manufacturer's notice for that recall. Most allow normal driving until the repair; some tell owners to stop driving or to park outside until it is fixed. Cardog does not grade recalls by severity: the manufacturer's notice and your dealer are the source.
Manufacturers must notify owners they have on record. If you bought the vehicle used or have moved, update your details with Ford Canada so notices reach you, and check the manufacturer's lookup from time to time.
Related recall checks
Compare recall listings with alternatives to the 1997 Ford Escort.