Ford Escort Complaints

3,936 consumer complaints on file.

#10086882August 15, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1989 FORD ESCORT HATCHBACK - A PASSENGER EXITING THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR SEAT STEPPED ON AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE CARPET WHICH CAUSED THE +12V AND GROUND WIRES TO SHORT TOGETHER. THIS CONNECTOR IS PART OF THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP HARNESS. THE CONNECTOR MELTED, THE WIRE HARNESS BURNED AND THE CARPET SINGED. THERE WAS SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10086733August 12, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
I WOULD LIKE TO REFERENCE ODI CASES # 8016196, 1451010 AND PARTICULARLY 881231 IN REFERENCE TO MY FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, MY POWER STEERING, AC AND ALTERNATOR WENT OUT WHEN THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE. THE BELT WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE WATER PUMP TENSIONER, WHICH LITERALLY SNAPPED AWAY FROM THE WATER PUMP HOUSING AND BROKE THE WATER PUMP HOUSING IN 3 PIECES. MY MECHANIC ALSO SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS - BUT HE FOUND IT VERY INTERESTING THAT FORD HAD THE WATER PUMP HOUSING IN STOCK IN THEIR PARTS DEPARTMENT. THE WATER PUMP, THE HOUSING, THE TENSIONER AND THE SERPENTINE BELT WERE ALL REPLACED AT THE CONSUMER'S COST.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10081622August 12, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
RECALL 97V144000 WAS RELATED TO A FUEL TANK CRACK. THE CONSUMER NOTICED A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK WHICH WAS CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.*AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS FAILURE SHOULD BE REPAIRED UNDER HTE RECALL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10081519August 12, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY WAS IMPAIRED, CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK *SC *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10086303August 6, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
FUEL STARTED LEAKING. CAR TAKEN TO GARAGE. GARAGE DETERIMINED THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK CRACKED NEAR A RETAINER FITTING AT THE FRONT OF THE TANK DIRECTLY UNDER THE CENTER OF THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE SAFETY RECALL STATUS. THIS PROBLEM IS NOTED BY FORD AS A SFETY RECALL BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE BY VIRTUE OF ITS VIN. I LIVE IN SOUTH TEXAS WITH ALL OF THE ASSOCIATED HIGH TEMPERATURES IDENTIFIED IN FORD'S RESEARCH AND SAFETY INVESTIGATIONS INTO THESE TANK FAILURES. DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE TANK AS A SAFETY RECALL. PLASE ADVISE WHAT I DO NEXT. CAR IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10087351August 6, 2004
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED.CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE OWNED A ANOTHER FORD ESCORT OF A DIFFERENT YEAR AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10086314August 6, 2004
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
BOTH FRONT SEAT RETRACTOR MOTORS/TRACKS HAVE FAILED, RESULTING IN FRONT SEAT BELTS INOPERABLE. BELTS STUCK IN PARTIAL RETRACTED MODE RESULTING IN SHOULDER BELTS NOT CORRECTLY POSITIONED TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER. ONE BELT IS POSITIONED IF USED WOULD COME ACROSS THE SEATED PERSON'S NECK. IF THIS WHERE A MANUAL SEATBELT SYSTEM THERE WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO MANUALLY LOCK THE SHOULDER BELT IN THE PROPER POSITION DUE TO THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM EMPLOYED IN THIS VEHICLE AND IT'S FAILURE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IT HAD 90158 ACTUAL MILES. THE USED CAR DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE RESOLVED WITH THE INSTALLATION OF "SALVAGE" PARTS SINCE THE EXPENSE OF REPAIRING THE SEAT BELTS BY "FORD" WOULD EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONFIRM THIS BY TALKING WITH THE REPAIR DEPARTMENTS AT SEVERAL FORD DEALERS IN THE AREA. TALKING WITH A NUMBER INDEPENDANT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS IN THE AREA THIS IS A "COMMON PROBLEM" WITH THESE VEHICLES, HOWEVER FORD WILL NOT HONOR REPAIR OF THIS "SAFETY" ISSUE. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THIS IS ALSO A COMMON PROBLEM. I HAVE OBSERVED THAT YOUR SITE HAS AN NUMBER OF THE SAME OR SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF NHTSA CONSIDERS THIS A "PASSENGER SAFETY ISSUE" REQUIRING A RECALL, OR DOES DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY HAVE TO OCCUR BEFORE AN ACTION IS TAKEN? SEVERAL COMMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE ON LINE THAT BECAUSE HIS IS A "PASSENGER SAFETY ISSUE" INVOLVING A "REQUIRED SAFETY COMPONENT" THAT FORD IS OBLIGATED TO REPAIR THE SEAT BELT WHTHER OR NOT UNDER WARRENTY WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE VEHICLE OWNER AS LONG AS THE ITEM WAS NOT DAMAGED IN AN ACCIDENT OR SUBJECTED TO IMPROPER USE OR REPAIR. THIS VEHICLE ACCORDING TO CARFAX HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE WAS UNDER 100000 MILES, THE LIMIT OF FORD'S GENERAL WARRANTY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10086260August 5, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
GAS TANK LEAKS. I NOTIFIED FORD. THEY SAID SORRY, BUT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO FIX IT. IN FACT I NOTIFIED THEM TWICE. I PUT AN INCIDENT DATE IN BELOW BECAUSE IT WAS REQUIRED BUT I REALLY DON'T REMEMBER WHEN THIS LEAK STARTED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10086166August 4, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN SOUNDS AT ALL HOURS. UNPLUGGED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10086072August 3, 2004
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
WHEN I TOOK MY CAR (1999 FORD ESCORT STATIONWAGON VIN.#[XXX]) IN FOR ITS OIL CHANGE & INSPECTION. IT FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE A REAR COIL SPRING WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED IN HALF. THE CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD, BUT ONLY HAD 8,953 MILES ON IT. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN AND ONLY DRIVE THE CAR ON A LIMITED BASIS, USUALLY FOR SHOPPING OR TO A DOCTOR'S OFFICE. I WAS TOLD THE THE SPRING WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY AND WAS CHARGED A TOTAL OF $412.99 (PLUS TAX) FOR THIS REPAIR. I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT FORD DIRECTLY TO SEE IF ANYTHING COULD BE DONE TO COMPENSATE ME. MY SON CALLED FORD'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS # AND WAS TOLD TO SEE THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER, WHO WOULD THEN SUBMIT THE CLAIM FOR ME. AFTER 2 SEPERATE VISITS TO THE DEALER, MY SON WAS TOLD: 1) THE MANAGER HAD GONE HOME EARLY THAT DAY & THAT ONLY THE MANAGER COULD DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM. ON THE NEXT DAY 2) THE MANAGER WAS IN A MEETING (FRIDAY AFTERNOON @ 4:00 PM) & COULD NOT BE DISTURBED. MY SON RETURNED HOME & CALLED FORDS CUSTOMER RELATIONS #. HE WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER HAD CALLED AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY COMPENSTAION. AS FOR THE BROKEN COIL SPRING, MY SON HAD TOLD ME TO REQUEST THE BROKEN PARTS AND I DO HAVE THEM. WHEN THE SPRING BROKE, I DO NOT NO BECAUSE THE RIDE OF THE CAR WAS ALWAYS THE SAME AS WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. NOW WITH THE NEW SPRINGS, THE REAR OF THE CAR RIDES HIGHER.*AK UPDATED 07/26/2012 *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
#10086113August 3, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WIRING HARNESS BREAK IN WAGON HATCH CAUSING ALL ELEC. COMPONENTS TO MALFUNCTION, LSO ENGINE UNABLE TO SHUT OFF(WITH KEY REMOVED FROM IGNITION). *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10086117August 3, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER RECALL REPAIRS BY FORD (NOTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION OF NOTICE AND REPAIR ARE IN OUR POSSESSION) RESULTING IN BURNS TO PASSENGER ON FOREARMS (DUE TO INFLATION OF BAG), BROKEN WINDSHIELD AND DASH IS MESSED UP. NO ACCIDENT OCURRED OR OBJECT HIT. CAR WAS MOVING AT 15 MPH (MAX) AT DEPLOYMENT. FORD DECLARES "NO" RESPONSIBILITY DUE TO EXCESS MILEAGE (84,440). I DIDN'T REALIZE THERE IS A "MILEAGE LIMITATION" ON SAFETY!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082982July 30, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING A 1991 FORD ESCORT IN DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH WHEN SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD BEHIND THE SPEEDOMETER SECTION. SHE PULLED OVER AND EXITED THE CAR AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE SMOKE CEASED AND A POLICE OFFICER STOPPED BY TO ASSIST. HE REMAINED TO DIRECT TRAFFIC UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK CAME TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO MY HOUSE. THE VEHICLE HAS LIABILITY INSURANCE ONLY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE SMOKE FOR A FEW DAYS. I NEEDED MORE INFORMATION IN HOW TO GET BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. UPON OPENING THE DASHBOARD, I FOUND THE WIRING BUNDLE LEADING TO THE DASHBOARD METERING WAS MELTED INTO A BUNDLE AND THE WIRES WERE NOT DISTINGUISHABLE IN COLOR ANY MORE. THE MELTED SECTION OF WIRING WAS FURTHER FOUND IN LEADING INTO THE LARGER BUNDLE GOING DEEPER INTO THE DASHBOARD AND INTO THE ENGINE WELL. I CONTACTED FORD CONCERNING THIS AND WAS REFERED BY THEM TO MY INSURANCE AGENT. THE CONSUMER SAFETY COMMISSION SENT ME IN YOUR DIRECTION. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO BESIDES TRASH THE CAR?*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10080111July 30, 2004
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS
THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE FOUND BROKEN (BOTH), THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE WHEN TURNING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND AS A RESULT, THE FRONT TIRE WAS PUNCTURED. THERE WAS A SAG IN THE FRONT END. THE DATE OF THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS 04/01/2002. *AK *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082968July 29, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I'VE HAD MY FORD ESCORT ZX2 FOR A YEAR NOW. I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A DEALERSHIP. RECENTLY I'VE NOTICED A MAJOR DECLINE IN PERFORMANCE. IT IDLES LOW, THE HORSEPOWER IS GONE, AND WHEN SITTING FOR PERIODS OF TIME IT HAS PROBLEMS STARTING. LAST WEEKEND I HAD A FORD CERTIFIED MECHANIC PERFORM A COMPUTER AND MECHANICAL DIAGNOSTIC ON IT TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. SO, HE CHECKED SERVICE BULLETINS FOR IT AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A BULLETIN ON ITS VARIABLE CAM TIMING DTC. HE FELT THAT THIS WAS WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083616July 27, 2004
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. DRIVER'S SEAT BELTSNAPPED IN HALF, AND CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10082347July 21, 2004
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TOOK VEHICLE FOR SAFETY INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD ONE BACK SPRING HAD CRACKED AND OTHER HAD MOVED OFF MOUNTING WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO FURTHER MOVE AND PUNCTURE TIRE. FORD CORP. SAID NO RECALL ISSUED BUT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER DID NOT HAVE PARTS, WERE ON BACK ORDER, DIDN'T KNOW WHEN AVAILABLE. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082350July 21, 2004
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
DEFECTIVE VEHICLE BACK SPRINGS. BOTH BACK SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND I PAID TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. FORD KNEW THEY WERE DEFECTIVE SINCE THEY HAD RE-DESIGNED THE SPRINGS. THE NEW SPRINGS WERE PUT ON AND NOW THE WHOLE VEHICLE BOUNCES ON THE ROAD. HANDLING IS BAD AND IF I HAVE TO TRAVEL ON A BUMPY ROAD I HAVE TO TAKE A DRAMININE. I HAVE PAID TO HAVE INSTALLED 6 NEW SPRINGS AND 8 STRUTS BUT I STILL GET SEASICK DRIVING MY CAR. IT IS SO BUMPY MY NECK HURTS RIDING IN MY CAR. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10081053July 14, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
SMOKE FROM DASHBOARD AND CANNOT GET CAR OUT OF PARK.ARE THERE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEMS?*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10080972July 13, 2004
AIR BAGS
MY CLIENT, AKRUARIA WRIGHT WAS DRIVING HER 1997 FORD ESCORT LX SEDAN SOUTH ON GA HWY 300, WHEN BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. AS NOTED IN THE POLICE REPORT, THERE WAS NO CONTACT OR IMPACT WITH ANY OBJECT OR VEHICLE. THE ROAD THAT SHE WAS ON IS A MAJOR ROAD; IT IS PAVED AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. UPON DEPLOYING, THE AIRBAGS FORCED THE DASH UP AND BUSTED THE WINDSHIELD. THE AIRBAGS, AS THEY DEPLOYED, MADE CONTACT WITH MS. WRIGHT'S FACE, ARMS, HANDS, AND CHEST. ON HER FACE, ARMS , AND HANDS SHE SUFFERED MINOR BURNS FROM THE CONTACT. SHE ALSO HAS SUFFERED CERVICAL AND THORACIC STRAIN FROM THE CONTACT. AT THIS TIME, THE CAR IS STILL WAITING TO BE REPAIRED. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN DEARBORN, MI, BUT AS OF NOW I HAVE NOT HAD A RESPONSE.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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