Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1996 vs 1997 FORD ESCORT

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 359 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 162.1% more reports in the equal exposure window

1996 203 complaints 1997 532 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1996 share 1997 share Share change
SEAT BELTS 36.5% 1.9% ▼ 34.6 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS 7.4% 25.6% ▲ 18.2 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6.4% 17.1% ▲ 10.7 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 5.4% 10.7% ▲ 5.3 pts larger share
VISIBILITY not reported 4.0% ▲ 4.0 pts larger share
ENGINE 12.8% 9.6% ▼ 3.2 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 8.4% 5.3% ▼ 3.1 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 3.5% 6.0% ▲ 2.6 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 4.4% 2.1% ▼ 2.4 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2.0% 3.8% ▲ 1.8 pts larger share
STEERING 4.4% 2.8% ▼ 1.6 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 0.5% 1.9% ▲ 1.4 pts larger share
WHEELS 1.0% 0.4% ▼ 0.6 pts smaller share
TIRES 1.0% 1.1% ▲ 0.1 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 1.0% 1.1% ▲ 0.1 pts larger share
PARKING BRAKE 0.5% 0.4% ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 66.0% 73.7% ▲ 7.7 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1996 1

Campaign components: not reported

1997 2

Campaign components: AIR BAGS and SEAT BELTS

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
7 → 83
◆ Injuries
26 → 61