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1996 Ford Escort LX 4dr Sedan

The 1996 Ford Escort LX 4dr Sedan is a 1.9-liter inline-4 sedan with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $11,905 MSRP and is rated at 25 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 26 mpg city and 35 mpg highway (25 mpg combined).

The Escort measures 170.9 inches long on a 98.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,404 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$11,905 ($24,660 *)
Engine
Engine Type1.9L inline-4, sequential fuel injected, naturally aspirated
Displacement1.9 L
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City26 MPG
Highway35 MPG
Combined25 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Tank Capacity11 gal
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front14 in
Wheels Rear14 in
Dimensions & Weight
Length170.9 in
Width66.7 in
Height52.7 in
Wheelbase98.4 in
Curb Weight2,404 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38.4 in
Headroom Rear37.4 in
Legroom Front41.7 in
Legroom Rear34.6 in
Shoulder Room Front53 in
Shoulder Room Rear53.7 in
Hip Room Front50.4 in
Hip Room Rear50.4 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 1996 Ford Escort 4-DR.

Recalls

1 recall on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Ford ESCORT. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Mar 23, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

NHTSA campaign 06E026000

223 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1996 Ford ESCORT

Owner Complaints

223 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Ford ESCORT (24 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 20 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Seat Belts75
Engine And Engine Cooling33
Air Bags19
Power Train18
Suspension15
Electrical System14
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
May 11, 2016 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL FILLER LINE FAILED AND…”
Jan 23, 2015 · Seat Belts
“THE DRIVER SIDE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT HAS CEASED FUNCTIONING AND IS NOW STUCK MIDWAY ALONG THE TOP PART OF THE SEAT BELT TRACK. THIS BEING THE CASE THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT PROTECT THE DRIVER IN THE EVENT…”
May 26, 2012 · Seat Belts
“I AM ADDING ANOTHER COMPLAINT TO THE VAST LIST OF PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING MY 1996 FORD ESCORT AND THE FAILURE OF MY PASSIVE RESTRAINT SHOULDER BELT. IT HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS FOR PROBABLY…”
Apr 6, 2011 · Latches/Locks/Linkages
“1996 FORD ESCORT, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING WEST BOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. UNIT 1'S HOOD OPENED AND STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. UNIT 1 CONTINUED ON TO THE NEXT EMERGENCY PULL OFF TO FILE THE REPORT. BF (OHIO…”
Aug 9, 2010 · Tires
“MY WIFE & I HAVE A 1996 FORD ESCORT WAGON THAT WE PURCHASED USED IN 2008. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE IT HAD A SET OF 4 BRIDGESTONE INSIGNIA SL TIRES THAT STILL HAD REASONABLE TREAD DEPTH REMAINING, SO WE…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1996 FORD ESCORT. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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