Ford Escort Complaints

3,936 consumer complaints on file.

#10148751January 26, 2006
SUSPENSION
I PURCHASED BACK 2002 A NEW FORD ESCORT THAT NOW HAS BAD VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL.I TOOK IT BACK TO DIAGNOSE AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT MODEL CAR AND CANNOT BE FIXED.MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO ME WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR. IT ONLY HAS 17,501 MILES AND NOW THE VIBRATION SO BAD IT IS A SAFTY CONCERN.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147714January 13, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE, NHTSA # 02V323000, CONCERNING THE AIR BAG SENSOR. HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE WINDOWS FOGGING UP AND OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. WHILE INSIDE LOOKING AT THE GAUGES THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THIS PINNED THE TECHNICIAN BETWEEN THE SEAT AND STEERING WHEEL. THE DEPLOYMENT CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. UPON INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM INDICATED IN THE RECALL. THERE WAS WATER ACCUMULATED IN THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR. *NM UPDATED 3/1/2006 - THE CONSUMER STILL HAS THE DEFECTIVE PARTS IN HER POSSESSION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10147184January 8, 2006
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
I TOOK MY 99 FORD ESCORT TO A AUTO REPAIR SHOP TO FIX ONE FRONT TIE ROD (ANOTHER FREQUENT PROBLEM ON ESCORT) AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT ONE OF THE SPINGS IN THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS BROKEN. I DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT WHEN DRIVING AND I DON'T KNOW FOR HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN BROKEN. THE MECHANIC ALSO SAID THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH ESCORT, AND ADVISED ME TO CHECK THE EXISTANCE OF A RECALL WITH A FORD DEALER. TO THIS DATE (JAN 2006) THERE IS NO RECALL. HE ALSO ADVISED ME TO KEEP THE RECEIPT OF THE REPAIR ($ 750 TO REPLACE THE SPRINGS AND STRUTS ON BOTH SIDES) IN CASE A RECALL WILL BE MADE IN THE FUTURE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144432December 5, 2005
AIR BAGS
I JUST WANT TO COMPLAIN THAT I FEEL FORD MOTOR CO. SHOULD OFFER A SUBSIDIE FOR OWNERS OF 1999 FORD ESCORT ZX 2 AUTOMOBILES FOR THE ADDITION OF DISENGAGMENT SWITCHES FOR THEIR FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEVICES. I AM AWARE THAT NEWER MODELS COME EQUIPPED WITH THIS FEATURE. I WAS ADVISED BY FORD MOTOR CO. THAT THEY ACTUALLY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO MAKE THIS ADDITION TO THEIR CARS FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICEPERSON THAT IN THE TEN YEARS "HE OR ANYONE WORKING THERE" HAD NEVER PERFORMED A "SWITCH ADDITION" I ASKED HIM IF IT WOULD BE EXPENSIVE AND HE SAID PROBABLY YES AND THAT HE WOULD CALL FORD AND SEE EXACTLY WHAT COULD BE DONE. HE SAID HE WOULD CALL ME BACK. HE HAS NEVER CALLED BACK. I HAVE THREE KIDS AND THERE IS ONLY TWO SEATBELTS IN THE BACK. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO LET MY ELEVEN YEAR OLD RIDE IN THE FRONT, BUT I AM AFRAID OF THE AIRBAG. NOW THAT IT IS STANDARD(SWITCHES) ON THE 2001 AND NEWER CARS I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE SOME COST SHARED BY FORD MOTOR CO. IN PERFORMING THIS UPGRADE. I FEEL IT SHOULD BE A "RECALL" FOR THIS ADDITION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144374December 3, 2005
TIRES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING CAR, HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT, AND CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. SHE TRIED SHIFTING GEARS, USING BRAKES, AND PULLING PARKING BRAKE TO NO AVAIL. SHE CRASHED INTO PARKED CARS AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 200 YARDS UPHILL. WITNESSES SAY SHE WAS GOING ABOUT 30 TO 40 MPH. AFTER THE BLOWOUT, WHICH HAPPENED AS SHE WAS LEAVING A STOP. CAR WILL NOT BE REPAIRED, WILL BE JUNKED. IT IS TOO DANGEROUS FOR ANYONE TO DRIVE. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143357November 21, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 92V117000 CONCERNING FUEL PUMP SENDING ASSEMBLY. THIS CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. *AK UPDATD 01/25/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143393November 21, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GASOLINE LEAKS FROM TOP OF GAS TANK WHEN FILLED. THERE IS A RECALL (NHTSA# 92V-117, FORD # 92S54 ) I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY HAD NO RECORD OF RECALL, AND TOLD ME IT WAS TO OLD TO CHECK. I THEN CALLED FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT, AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL HAD BEEN CLOSED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143102November 18, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR OVER TWO HOURS. HE SMELLED SMOKE AND CHECKED IN THE GARAGE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD IN FRONT OF THE STEERING COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE AND THE CONTACT'S HOUSE. THE PRELIMINARY REPORT INDICATED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. REPORTS WERE TAKEN BY THE POLICE, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143063November 17, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 92V117000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142847November 16, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
I WAS INVOLVED IN A VERY MINOR ACCIDENT WITH ONLY PAINT DAMAGE TO MY FRONT BUMPER. THE OTHER VEHICLE ALSO HAD ONLY PAINT DAMAGE. I WAS STOPPED AND THE OTHER VEHICLE SCRAPED MINE AT A SPEED OF MAYBE 25 MPH. MY AIRBAGS DEPOYED AND CAUSED MORE DAMAGE THAN THE ACCIDENT ITSELF. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142692November 15, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE VEHICLE HAS A LOUD ROAR WHEN IDLING. THE VEHICLE ALSO ACCELERATES RAPIDLY ON ITS OWN. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE. THE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED A NEW SPEED CONTROL AND AN IDLE CONTROL MODULE. THIS WAS REPLACED TWICE BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK DID NOT DETECT ANY CODES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER REPAIRS AT THIS TIME. *JB UPDATED 12/27/2005 - THIS PROBLEM SEEMED WORSE IN COLD WEATHER. IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO IDLE DOWN THE CONSUMER HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF THEN TURN IT BACK ON. THE PROBLEM WOULD SOMETIMES RESURFACE A FEW MINUTES LATER, A FEW WEEKS LATER OR A FEW MONTHS LATER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141777November 4, 2005
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEATER CORE RUPTURED, WHICH CAUSED WATER TO GET INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK UPODATED11/29/05. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142172November 3, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1997 FORD ESCORT PCV NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AFTER BEING INSTALLED A YEAR AGO. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141071October 25, 2005
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CONSUMER LETTER REGARDING REPLACEMENT TIMING BELT. *TS THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW DOES THE TIMING BELT NEED TO BE REPLACED PERIODICALLY AND IF SO AT WHAT INTERVALS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE GUIDE FOR THE 1.8L STATED THE TIMING BELT SHOULD BE REPLACED EVERY 60,000 MILES, HOWEVER IT DIDN'T MENTION HOW OFTEN THE 1.9L SHOULD BE REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137979October 20, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. WHEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IT CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO BE SEVERALLY BURNED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY COMPLETELY. THIS OCCURRED ON AUGUST 3, 2004. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT A POST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. SHE NO LONGER HAS THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT HELP THE CONSUMER. *AK *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10139879October 17, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ESCORT. WHILE HE DRIVING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING THERE WERE FUEL FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES FOR THE FUMES TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. WHILE IDLING THE FUEL FUMES WERE WORSE UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE FUMES BECOME SO BAD AT TIMES THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER AND LET THE VEHICLE AIR OUT. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS THE PERCH VALVE INSIDE THE GAS TANK THAT RELEASED THE FUMES. THE FUEL PUMP WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAS NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139650October 14, 2005
SEAT BELTS
THREE SEAT BELTS OF 5 IN MY 1996 FORD ESCORT DO NOT WORK. THE SPRINGS OF THE SHOULDER HARNESS OF THE TWO REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT WORK. THE ESCORT WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT FORD REFUSED TO FIX WITHOUT SUBSTANTIAL COST FOR THE PARTS BECAUSE SEAT BELTS WERE NO LONGER COVERED. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS MOTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, CAUSING THE SHOULDER HARNESS TO NOT BE IN A SAFE POSITION. NO INJURIES AT THIS POINT. IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT PASSENGERS AND DRIVER WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED BY SEAT BELTS. INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS APPROXIMATE DATE REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139189October 10, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
I OWN A 1995 FORD ESCORT LX [XXX] WHICH HAS A LEAKING FUEL TANK. I CHECKED YOUR (NHTSA) WEB SITE AND FOUND "TWO RECALLS" FOR THIS PROBLEM. I WHEN TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS,(A.C. COLLINS FORD, PASADENA TEXAS) AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ISSUED FOR MY CAR BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER. BUT THE VIN NUMBER CLEARLY STATES THE ENGINE SIZE 1.9 L, ASSEMBLY PLANT: WAYNE IND. AND IT WAS SOLD AND STILL IS REGISTERED AND USED IN PASADENA /HOUSTON TEXAS. WHICH IS THE SAME INFORMATION AS SHOWN IN THE NHTSA'S RECALL NOTICE. NOTE: THE MILEAGE AND PURCHASE DATES ARE ESTIMATES DUE TO THE CAR BEING AT THE DEALER AT THIS MOMENT. *JB UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138999October 7, 2005
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS, SUSPENSION:REAR, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
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. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139036October 7, 2005
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A BROKEN REAR SPRING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. DEALER FOUND IT BROKEN WHILE DOING A SAFETY INSPECTION. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE SPRING WAS BROKEN. MANUFACTURER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD IT FIXED BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE. CONTACT BELIEVED IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 -*NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Ford Escort