1997 Dodge Neon vs 1997 Ford Escort
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1997 Dodge Neon | 1997 Ford Escort |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 390 | 543 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 1 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 62 | 150 |
| Investigations | 1 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 44 | 67 |
| Fire reports | 12 | 83 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 25–29 | 26–28 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 62,000 mi | 78,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Dodge Neon | Ford Escort |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 222 | 66 |
| Air Bags | 41 | 152 |
| Electrical System | 33 | 114 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 44 | 39 |
| Suspension | 4 | 67 |
| Power Train | 26 | 29 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 | 28 |
| Visibility | 8 | 31 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Overheating | 17 | 0 |
| Stalling | 12 | 33 |
| Rust / corrosion | 11 | 0 |
| Brake problems | 7 | 8 |
| Vibration / shaking | 6 | 9 |
| Clunking / rattling | 5 | 7 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 32 |
| Electrical failures | 0 | 25 |
1997 Dodge Neon
1997 Ford Escort
Compare all Dodge Neon vs Ford Escort years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.