Four problems related to steering wheel have been reported for the 1997 Ford Escort. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Owner's son was driving the car and the steering wheel and column locked up, forcing him to go off the road. Also brakes failed to operate properly.
Steering wheel assembly replaced.
Steering wheel locked up,brakes failed to operate properly resulting in an accident, no deployment of air bags during collision.
Steering column makes noise.