Overview & Reviews

Packages are reshuffled on Ford's entry-level cars. Available this year as sedans, wagons or stylish coupes, the Ford Escort now qualifies as a low emissions vehicle, thanks to the car's split-port induction 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

• Economical, reliable transportation in a package that is vastly improved over the previous model.

• Poor resale value.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 116.00

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  Broke all the time - 1998 Ford Escort
  By rose313 - August 23 - 3:53 pm

  I bought this Escort, my first car, with 55k miles on it and drove it until the transmission went at 210k miles. Every month from the time I bought it, it was in the shop. I had to replace everything, some things twice, such as the muffler and exhaust. I replaced the e-brake, shocks, struts, fuel injection system, intake valve, just about everything in this car. I loved it because it was my first car and the fact that it was so roomy, I loved having so much space in the back. I used to see these on the road all the time, but now I hardly ever see one, Im guessing its because they all fell apart.

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  Good for 6 years only - 1998 Ford Escort
  By DarthSodomus - July 13 - 12:11 pm

  I purchased this as my first car way back on Halloween 1998. This car was very good to me for the first 6.5 years. I did all the required maintainance. Then the transmission went after 110K miles - expensive repair. After repairing that, the engine went 2 years later - expensive repair. I have had to replace the alternator twice as well replace the water pump and some drive pulleys all expensive repairs. Finally, just now, the AC compressor went and had to install an aftermarket AC delete pulley. Ive gotten 11 years so far out of it but the repairs have been expensive over the last 4 years ~$8000. But (unfortunately) still cheaper than new car payments so I could not justify a new car

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  It Could Be Worse (but not much) - 1998 Ford Escort
  By Justin - August 7 - 4:25 am

  Do not get this car if you enjoy driving or like cars even a little bit. Youll be dissapointed with the performance, handling and just about everything. Fuel economy is great as long as you dont touch the gas and dont look at the A/C. I dont think the designers even knew what fun-to-drive meant. Interior is basic. Not even a tach or cd player. If you stare at the exterior long enough it starts to look alright. Its only broken down on me once because of a bad alternator but there are a few parts that have needed replacing in the two years Ive had it. (Motor mounts twice and A/C.) The trunk leaks on the right too. Summary: If youre old or dont like cars, the Escort is for you.

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  No more Fords! - 1998 Ford Escort
  By Frank - March 8 - 12:31 am

  Had an 87 Escort wagon made in New Jersey, got good basic A-to-B transportation & made it to 250,000 mi. So I got this newer 1998 replacement but only made it to 150,000 & had to junk it. Was made in Mexico & had many poor quality problems (rust, bad dash & dome lights, replaced P/S, etc & finally internal engine damage). Have had other Fords before & know theyre generally lesser quality than other brands, but this was worst experience. Now Im an angry ex-Ford customer.

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  10 years and still going strong! - 1998 Ford Escort
  By lori & kenzie - June 17 - 8:03 pm

  We have owned this car for 10 years and we cant complain. Weve never had to replace anything except for a brake, the alternator, and some tires. This car has been on 3 long road trips (about 650 miles each way with a dog) and we had no major breakdowns. The car is still running (even with over 200,000 miles on it) but were finally going to purchase a new 2007 Elantra so we will donate it to charity. BTW: We have the bare bones model-5 speed manual, cassete player (no cd), power nothing, no spoiler, basically just a shell with an engine and some tires.

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  "98 Ford Escort Wagon - 1998 Ford Escort
  By Shey - February 20 - 8:17 pm

  A/C not working but has been a very reliable car.

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  Basic Transportation, Noisy on the Road - 1998 Ford Escort
  By Ken H - January 11 - 9:25 pm

  We bought this car for our daughters use while at school on the east coast. It spent three years in Philadelphia, crossed the country three times ending up on the west coast. The car has 101K miles on it currently. Weve had two major engine repairs. One involving an internal governing device in the engine and the other was a head gasket that had to be replaced at 80K miles. One thing that does stand out with this car is the high road noise especially at freeway speeds. Only other item that is an irritant is the seat belts are attached well behind the front seats and are very difficult to reach with the doors closed.

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  Fixed Or Repaired Daily - 1998 Ford Escort
  By Steffidips - January 8 - 2:13 pm

  This car was great for the first four years of existence, but soon began developing small problems here and there. Those small problems have now developed into large problems with the transmission, the flex plate in the shifter and the fact that I get a back massage each time it is at idle because the idle is so rough. Despite these problems, the car can still handle well through corners and can keep up with some of the most moderately priced vehicles. Great car for a new driver.

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  Fun to Drive Expensive to fix. - 1998 Ford Escort
  By Erinf - February 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car back in 2000, off a lease. Got the extended warranty. Until 60k the car was fine. I had one transmission problem, which the dealership fixed and gave me a rental for a week. At around 60k things got scarey. Repairs in the 2-3k range, all over the place. It like the car had been built to survive just past the warranty then totally fall apart... hondas and toyotas dont do this, why do fords?

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  Ruby the racecort - 1998 Ford Escort
  By angel_marie03 - November 4 - 10:00 am

  It is a nice little car. Very fast for a V4. I have only had it for a little bit but it seems to be pretty realiable.