1998 Ford Escort: ball joint or control arm failure

7 of the 374 complaints about the 1998 Ford Escort describe ball joint or control arm failure.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 3 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Ball joint or control arm failure by model year

2000
1
1999
5
1998
7
1997
13
1996
3
1995
3
1994
2
1993
4
1991
9
1990
2

What owners say

Filed Mar 6, 2008 · Body, Brakes · 187,000 miles · PA

I was sold a 1998 ford escort zx2 for 800 dollars, from but behind a local dealership. The dealership did the notary, and they were the ones who signed off on the car and gave me a hand written receipt with someone else's name on it. They also did the inspection later on after we replaced one of the ball joints. We had the car looked at by another official inspection station and they said the car was a death trap. We contacted a state trooper. He did an inspection, failed the car, and took the sticker. There was a long list of problems. I tried to get a refund before I got the cops involved and he refused. This was also before the 10 days were up for the inspection. I paid for the car on the 13th of feb. 2008.

Filed Oct 7, 2005 · Steering, Suspension · MI

Dt: consumer took 1998 ford escort for a oil change on september 30, 2005. The mechanic found both rear coils springs broke. The rear struts were damaged, and the left front tie rod was broken. The mileage on my vehicle at time of service was 71, 127 miles. The consumer used the car for shopping and pleasure with no hard driving at her age. She was surprised to hear this was common for the 1997 and 1998 ford escorts. I had other ford escorts prior to this one and I had no problem. This problem cost the consumer $732. Had not contacted dealership or manufacturer. Had no accidents. The consumer was not aware that this vehicle had all these problems. This vehicle drives much better and is quieter since had the problems fixed.

Filed Aug 18, 2004 · Steering · 23,200 miles · WI

I took my 1998 ford escort to gagne ford in princeton, wisconsin, to have the oil changed. The technician informed me that they recommend replacing the tie rods. "outer tie rod ends. Right outer is loose. Left outer is siezed." since there is only 23,200 miles on the car, I checked for recalls. Are people just having this repair done and not reporting it? Do I really need this work done?

Filed Feb 27, 2003 · Steering · ME

I read that that the federal safety agency conducted a study on tie rod end failure in ford cars at some point. I have just had two sets of tie rod ends replaced on my ford escort (98 model year) within a span of a year and a half. If you are still collecting data for this issue, I respectfully submit my case.

Filed Oct 18, 2002 · Suspension · ID

Consumer stated that while driving at any speed and no warning the front ball joints worn out the front right tire causing it to be hard for the consumer to control the vehicle. Dealer notified. Mr right lower ball joint and rear coil spring had to be replaced. Left brake grabbed. Rattle noise at right front at initial start. High idle and clicking noise in dash.

Filed Apr 18, 2002 · Steering · CD

Consumer states front tie rod end on both side wore excessesively. Nlm

Filed May 21, 1999 · Suspension · NC · crash

Passenger's side upper control arm broke while driving, and caused a loss o control and a crash. Dealer cannot determine the problem. Please provide further information and VIN#.