Ford Escort Complaints

3,936 consumer complaints on file.

#8017096August 23, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING AT 25MPH ON FLAT SURFACE AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE SHUT OFF. CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8017125August 23, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER'S WIFE WASD DRIVING AND SUDDENLLY SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM UNDER THE DASH, AND VEHICLE SHUT OFF. CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL A TOW TRUCK AFTER SHE COULD NOT RESTART VEHICLE. IT WASTOWED TO A FORD DEALER, WHO AFTER LOOKING AT VEHICLE TOLD THEM THAT WIRING HARNESS HAD SHORT OUT. THEY HAD ANOTHER WIRING HARNESS PUT ON BY SAME MECHANIC, AND TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE. IT IMMEDIATELY BURNED OUT.CONSUMER FELT THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#766022August 22, 2002
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
SPRING IN CALIPER WAS BROKEN, CAUSING PIN TO BEND AND BREAK. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#766054August 22, 2002
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I HIT A GUARDRAIL GOING 55 MPH AND THEN PROCEEDED TO BE THROWN DOWN A HILL INTO A FIELD AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS CURIOUS AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED--THANKS. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#766070August 22, 2002
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, AIR BAGS
IN AUGUST 2001THE AIR CONDITIONER STARTED MAKING A NOISE AND THEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND CHIME STARTED. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE BRANDON FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY FIXED THE AIR CONDITIONER. BUT THEY SAID IT WOULD BE AT LEAST $1000 TO JUST LOOK AT THE AIR BAG. WE DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO WASTE ON AIR BAGS. I WAS EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT AT THE TIME AND WE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF THE AIR BAGS WOULD DEPLOY. THEY SAID THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. NOW I READ AN ARTICLE STATING THAT THE AIR BAGS IN THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE HAVE DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. SO, MY HUSBAND, MY UNBORN CHILD AND MYSELF WERE AT RISK AND WE WERE UNDER THE IMPRESSION EVERYTHING WAS FINE. A YEAR LATER THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPS WORKING AND MY HUSBAND LOOKED UNDER THE DASH TO SEE IF HE COULD FIGURE OUT WHY IT STOPPED WORKING. HE FOUND THE WIRES CONNECTING TO THE AIR CONDITIONER WERE ALL MELTED. THIS COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE AND AGAIN MY HUSBAND, MY SON AND MYSELF WERE AT RISK BECAUSE THE REAL PROBLEM WAS NEVER REALLY FIXED. I READ IN THE ARTICLE THAT FIRES ALSO HAD OCCURRED FOR NO REASON. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW WE WILL BE PROTECTED FROM THESE FAILURES THAT HAVE OCCURRED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8016830August 21, 2002
TIRES
RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS LOSING AIR. HAD TIRE CHECKED. THERE WERE CRACKS ALL OVER IT. ALSO, OTHER 3 TIRES HAD CRACKS. SIZE P185/65R14, ORGINAL TIRES. *AK MS P185/65R14 85S, E4027261, AP7J5K7U949, UNIROYAL TIGER PAW. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#567157August 20, 2002
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A VERY FINE MIST COMING FROM THE VENT AND THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN BLOWER MOTOR WAS ON, THE DEALER REPLACED MOTOR ASSEMBLY FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8016484August 16, 2002
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
BOTH REAR SEATBELT RETRACTORS NO LONGER WORK, PARTS WERE REPLACED IN JULY 1997.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#765731August 16, 2002
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
I WAS STOPPING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I SLOWED DOWN AND WAS COASTING TO THE LIGHT. WHEN I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKE IT MADE A LOUD NOISE AND DIDNT STOP. I PUT MY LEFT FOOT ON TOP OF MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PRESSED DOWN AS HARD AS I COULD. IT STILL WOULDNT STOP. I FINALLY MANAGED TO GET IT INTO PARK. IT STOPPED THE CAR INCHES AWAY FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER THE LIGHT CHANGED, I SAT THERE NOT ABLE TO MOVE. FINALLY I HAD TO. I MOVED A LITTLE TESTED THE BRAKES AND THEY WORKED. I WENT TO THE NEXT LIGHT TURNED OFF AND WENT SHOPPING TO CALM DOWN BEFORE TRYING TO DRIVE HOME. I WAS GOING TO TAKE THE CAR IN ON MON 8/12/2002 TO HAVE IT CHECKED. I WENT TO MY DRS OFFICE FIRST. I DIDNT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS. I HAD BRAKED THE CAR TO SLOW IT DOWN. WHEN I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKE THAT SOUND STARTED AGAIN THE CAR ROARED AND GOT FASTER. I WAS TRYING TO PUSH IT INTO GEAR, BUT IT HIT BEFORE I COULD DO IT. I REVERSED IT GOT OFF THE WALL. THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. THE AIR BAG DIDNT OPEN UP THE FRONT IS BADLY DAMAGED THE DEALER COULD GIVE AN ESTIMATE AT LEAST 2000 BUT IT WILL BE MORE. THEY COULDNT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THAT IS SCARY, THEY ARE GOING TO FIX THE BODY BUT IT WILL BE LIKE A DEATH TRAP NOT KNOWING WHEN THE BRAKES MIGHT FAIL. I WAS IN THAT CAR BOTH TIMES. I WAS NOT IN A HURRY; EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL THAT NOISE STARTED. I WAS NOT GOING FAST BOTH TIMES THAT IT HAPPENED THE CAR WAS COASTING I HAD BRAKED TO SLOW DOWN. THEN THAT LOUD SOUND AND THE CAR JUST TOOK OVER REFUSING TO STOP. I WAS THERE AND I SCARED ME BADLY. I WAS THERE AND I SCARED ME BADLY. HAS THIS HAPPENED TO SOME ONE ELSE???*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8016406August 15, 2002
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
PLASTIC MOLDED FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FUEL AROUND MOUNTING BRACKET. OWNER NOTICED A PUDDLE UNDERNEATH VEHICLE AND SAW THAT GAS GAUGE SHOWED A 1/4 LESS THAN WHAT IT WAS BEFORE. *AK CONSUMER NOTICED RECALLS 97V145 AND 97V144, HOWEVER HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8016358August 14, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN CONSUMER STARTED UP VEHICLE. THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE AREA, AND VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8016196August 13, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE, LOST CONTROL OF STEERING. CONTACTED DEALER. A PART OF THE PULLEY BROKE, CAUSING OTHER COMPONENTS TO FALL OFF,, TIMMING BELT, ETC.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#765610August 13, 2002
AIR BAGS
97 ESCORT WAS ACTUALLY PURCHASED FOR MY DAUGHTER IN 1998, WITH ABOUT 38000 MILES ON IT. MY SON BOUGHT IT FROM HER IN DEC. 01 AFTER HE WRECKED HIS RANGER. HE TOLD ME THAT HIS AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH HAD COME ON AND WOULDN'T GO OFF. I AM IN SALES AT A FORD DEALERSHIP AND ASKED A COUPLE OF SERVICE ADVISORS AND MECHANICS ABOUT THE LIGHT AND THEY SAID THAT 99% OF THE TIME IT WAS USUALLY JUST A CLOCK SPRING. FIGURING NO BIG DEAL, I TOLD MY SON TO KEEP DRIVING THE CAR (THIS WAS ABOUT MAY,02). LATER HE TOLD ME THAT HE KEPT SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING PERIODICALLY; I COULD SMELL IT BUT THOUGHT THE ODOR WAS ALMOST NEGLIGIBLE. NEXT THING I KNOW, HE TOLD ME THE UNDER SIDE OF THE DASH, BEHIND THE RADIO AND ON PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE (INSIDE THE CAR) HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND HE USED THE KITCHEN FIRE EXTENGUISHER TO PUT IT OUT. I TOLD HIM TO ALSO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. I HAVE BEEN SELLING FORDS FOR 11 YEARS AND DID SOME DIGGING. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ARTICLE NO. 98-15-20 (SUPERCEDES ARTICLE NO. 98-14-3) WHICH ADDRESSES THIS PROBLEM AND TELLS THE SERVICE DEPT. TO REPLACE THE MODULE AND INSTALL A WATERSHIELD TO KEEP THIS FROM RECURRING. THIS IS ELIGIBLE UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY COVERAGE AND SAFETY RESTRAINT WARRANTY COVERAGE. SINCE MY CAR HAS ABOUT 98000 MILES ON AND WAS STILL RUNNING FINE BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, AM I OUT OF LUCK AT GETTING THIS CAR RUNNING AGAIN. PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE FROM A MECHANIC WAS ABOUT $1100 IN PARTS AND WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH IN LABOR. WOULD APPRECIATE HEARING YOUR CURRENT CASE STATUS WITH FORD MOTOR CO. ON THIS. THANKS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#566933August 9, 2002
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
WHILE IN MOTION, CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT ALSO DID NOT HOLD. CONSUMER SUFFERED CHEST INJURIES TO THE RIB CAGE. CONSUEMR WISHES TO HAVE AIRBAGS OPENED AND INSPECTED AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. *JG
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#8015847August 8, 2002
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON.THEN, AIR BAG DEPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8015874August 8, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS, STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHILE DRIVING HIT THE HORN AND IT STUCK. HAD TO UNPLUG FUSE TO CUT HORN OFF. DEALER CONTACTED. TARGO SWITCH INSIDE STEERING WHEEL PAD BROKE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8015645August 6, 2002
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT 10MPH ON FLAT SURFACE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AKTHERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE FROM THE BELTS. *JG
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#765275August 6, 2002
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
OUR FAMILY CAR'S FUEL TANK LEAKS GASOLINE AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO REPAIR IT JUST BECAUSE THE STATE WHERE WE PURCHASED IT(WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNER) AND REGISTERED IT IN DOESN'T HAPPEN TO BE INCLUDED IN FORD'S SELECTIVE GEOGRAPHIC RECALL, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE MANUFACTURING LOCATION(HERMOSILLO, MEXICO) AND DATE OF ASSEMBLY IS THE SAME AS THE 64,600 1995 FORD ESCORTS UNDER THEIR GEOGRAPHIC RECALL. GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE TANK ONTO A HOT EXHAUST PIPE IS A HUGE SAFETY DISASTER JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN, BUT APPARENTLY A LIFE IN IOWA IS NOT WORTH AS MUCH AS A LIFE IN ARKANSAS, A STATE COVERED BY THE GEOGRAPHIC RECALL. ONE ALLEGED JUSTIFICATION FOR GEOGRAPHIC RECALLS IS IT IS SUPPOSED TO ADDRESS REGIONS WHERE PROBLEMS ARE MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR AND IN THE CASE OF THE LEAKING FUEL TANKS, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE THE HOTTEST AREAS. PROBLEM IS, THIS KIND OF THINKING IGNORES THE REALITY OF TODAY'S MOBILE SOCIETY. OUR VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM WILLEY FORD IN AMES, IA, BUT WE HAVE DRIVEN IT TO FLORIDA, ALABAMA, MISSISSIPPI, ARKANSAS, LOUISIANA, OKLAHOMA AND MICHIGAN, WHICH ARE ALL COVERED BY FORD'S SELECTIVE GEOGRAPHIC RECALL. YET CONSISTENCY IS LACKING BECAUSE ONE OF THE HOTTEST PARTS OF THE COUNTRY APPARENTLY ARE NOT COVERED BY THE GEOGRAPHIC RECALL, DEATH VALLEY, CA, WHILE MUCH MORE TEMPERATE REGIONS, SUCH AS MICHIGAN, ARE. AND METEOROLOGISTS MAY CONFIRM THAT THE IOWA SUMMER HEAT INDICES CAN OFTEN SURPASS MANY SOUTHERN STATES. IT IS WITHOUT QUESTION TOTALLY UNFAIR THAT TWO GEOGRAPHIC RECALLS EXIST (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 97V14400 & 97V145000) THAT CLEARLY PLACE IOWANS' LIVES AT RISK JUST TO SAVE A HUGE AUTOMAKER SOME MONEY. FURTHER, THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC & MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT REQUIRES RECALLS FOR SAFETY DEFECTS AND TREATS ALL VEHICLES EQUALLY REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY ARE SOLD OR REGISTERED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ALERT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8015484August 5, 2002
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, CAUSING WINDSHIELD TO BLOWOUT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#765157August 3, 2002
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE, AIR BAGS
HEATER CORE LEAKED ONTO AIR BAG SENSOR AND MODULE CAUSING AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. HAD TO REPLACE HEATER CORE,AIR BAG SENSOR AND MODULE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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