Ford Escort Complaints

3,936 consumer complaints on file.

#10408678June 23, 2011
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V218000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,404.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10395048April 6, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
1996 FORD ESCORT, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING WEST BOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. UNIT 1'S HOOD OPENED AND STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. UNIT 1 CONTINUED ON TO THE NEXT EMERGENCY PULL OFF TO FILE THE REPORT. BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0142-90)*JB UPDATED 04/22/11 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381440February 10, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO AGREED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED WHICH CAUSED THE LEAK. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT SPECIFIC FAILURE ( NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V144000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372042December 22, 2010
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AIR BAG CONTROL DIAGNOSTIC MODULE SHORTED OUT DUE TO RUPTURED HEATER CORE. WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT A LOCAL JUNK YARD. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ITEM. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371777December 20, 2010
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ESCORT. THE TIRE BRAND WAS BRIDGE STONE INSIGNIA SL, TIRE SIZE WAS P175/65R14. THE DOT WAS UNKNOWN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 67 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE TIRES WERE ON THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ON THE TIRES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 150,000. UPDATED 02/08/11*LJ UPDATE 02/14/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367910November 26, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GASOLINE BEGINS TO DRIP OUT OF FUEL TANK WHEN FUEL TANK IN HALF FILLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365161November 9, 2010
VISIBILITY
FORD ESCORT 2000 COUPE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON; I.E., MY WIFE GOT IN THE CAR AND BEFORE SHE EVEN STARTED THE ENGINE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE REAR WINDOW WITH DEFROSTER SHATTERED INTO A MILLION PIECES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10364409November 8, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HEATER BLOWER FAILED AND SPARKS WERE SHOOTING FROM THE WIRING HARNESS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT THE HARNESS BEFORE A FIRE IGNITED. THE CONTACT LOCATED A MANUFACTURERS RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE WIRING OF THE DEFROSTER SYSTEM, IN WHICH HE BELIEVED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON HIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360996October 18, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE IN 2003 AND WERE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT A REPAIR SHOP GETTING AN OIL CHANGE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 26,000. UPDATED 01/04/11*LJ UPDATED 01/10/11*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357495September 25, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR
I BOUGHT A USED 1999 FORD ESCORT STATIONS WAGON WITH ONLY 16K MILES ON IT. AT 30K MILES I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE FOR $585 TO REPLACE THE REAR COIL SPRINGS THAT ARE BROKEN, SAYING IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. NOTE I NEVER ASKED FOR MORE THAN A SIMPLE OIL CHANGE. IN READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS HERE FOR BROKEN SPRINGS I BELIEVE FORD HAS GOTTEN AWAY WITH A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT THAT EVEN ITS DEALERS ARE WELL AWARE OF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356146September 17, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED THE DAY PRIOR TO NOTICING THE FAILURE. THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WAS READING ONLY ONE HALF FULL WHEN THE TANK SHOULD HAVE BEEN READING FULL. THE CONTACT THEN DISCOVERED A LARGE PUDDLE OF GASOLINE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V145000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY) AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10354529September 8, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK AREA ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK CRACKED DUE TO THE HEAT SHIELD. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V144000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DEFECT. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351100August 21, 2010
SEAT BELTS, STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE TRAVELING ON A FREEWAY AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 65 MILES PER HOUR, I ENDED UP IN A SKID ON DRY PAVEMENT. I DON'T REMEMBER HOW I GOT INTO THE SKID DUE TO HEAD INJURIES RECEIVED IN THE RESULTING ACCIDENT. THE CAR SKIDDED SIDEWAYS FOR QUITE A WAYS AND DID NOT RESPOND NORMALLY TO ATTEMPTS TO STEER IT. PERHAPS THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING. THE CAR EVENTUALLY HIT THE RAISED CONCRETE RUMBLE STRIPS WHILE SKIDDING SIDEWAYS. THE CAR THEN FLIPPED OVER IN THE AIR AND TUMBLED DOWN THE MEDIAN, WITH THE FIRST IMPACT LIKELY TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE ROOF, KNOCKING OUT THE DRIVER. THE CAR CONTINUED TO TUMBLE DOWN THE MEDIAN UNTIL THE CAR VAULTED AND LANDED ON ITS TOP. I REMEMBER BEING UPSIDE DOWN IN THE AIR, BUT NOTHING ELSE UNTIL I CAME TO HANGING UPSIDE DOWN FROM MY SEAT BELT WITH BLURRED VISION. I HAD 2 LARGE LUMPS ON THE TOP OF THE HEAD, A BADLY SWOLLEN JAW AND GUMS, A SWOLLEN TONGUE (BITTEN ON BOTH SIDES), ONE NOSTRIL FILLED WITH BLOOD, THE BACK OF MY HEAD NECK AND SHOULDERS WERE SWOLLEN BY WHAT FELT LIKE ABOUT 1/4 TO 1/2 INCH THICK. I HAD BRUISES AROUND MY RIGHT ELBOW, ON MY RIGHT THIGH, AND LIKELY OTHER PLACES, AS WELL AS A COMPRESSION FRACTURE OF THE SECOND LUMBAR VERTEBRA FROM THE BOTTOM (L4?). SINCE I HAD DIFFICULTY BREATHING, THEY DID A TRACHEOTOMY ON ME WHILE WAITING FOR THE AMBULANCE. THEY PRIED OPEN THE REAR HATCH TO GET ME OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL 5 DAYS, OUT OF WORK 5 WEEKS, AND IN VARIOUS DEGREES OF PAIN FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR. THE ROOF FAILED TO PROTECT ME, THE INERTIA LOCK SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED TO PREVENT MY CHIN FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL AND ITS FAILURE TO WORK LIKELY RESULTED IN THE COMPRESSION FRACTURE WHICH THE DOCTOR SAID WAS PROBABLY FROM LUNGING FORWARD. THE ONLY THING THAT KEPT ME IN THE CAR WAS THE MANUAL ADJUSTED LAP BELT, WHICH IS NO LONGER INSTALLED IN FORDS. ALL BELTS ARE INERTIA LOCK, LIKE THE SHOULDER BELT OF THIS CAR WAS. THE VEHICLE HAD A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10350773August 20, 2010
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ESCORT. AS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE BEEN DRIVEN 5 MPH IN A DRIVEWAY BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. SHE STATED THE DRIVER WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIONUS AND THE OTHER PASSENGER HAD A INJURY TO THE FACE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND A BRANCH HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,152. VWB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10348239August 9, 2010
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
MY WIFE & I HAVE A 1996 FORD ESCORT WAGON THAT WE PURCHASED USED IN 2008. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE IT HAD A SET OF 4 BRIDGESTONE INSIGNIA SL TIRES THAT STILL HAD REASONABLE TREAD DEPTH REMAINING, SO WE DECIDED TO CONTINUE TO USE THE TIRES UNTIL THE TREAD HAD WORN DOWN MORE AND NEEDED REPLACING. ON FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2010, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN PART OF THE REAR PASSENGER-SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE AND SHOT AGAINST THE SHEET METAL ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELL. IT RIPPED A LARGE HOLE IN THE VEHICLE'S SHEET METAL, SHOT MANY SMALL PIECES OF TIRE THROUGH THE HOLE INTO THE INTERIOR CARGO AREA IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL AT THE SAME TIME. THANKFULLY MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO HANDLE THE CAR DURING THIS CATASTROPHIC EVENT AND SUCCESSFULLY MANEUVER IT ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME SINCE IT WOULD NO LONGER START, AND WHEN IT ARRIVED I NOTICED THE LARGE HOLE THAT HAD BEEN MADE INSIDE THE WHEEL WELL BY THE TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE STILL HAD PRESSURE, BUT AT THAT TIME I SAW THAT ABOUT HALF OF THE TREAD WAS COMPLETELY MISSING. SINCE THE FORD ESCORT HAS ITS FUEL CUTOUT SWITCH INSTALLED AGAINST THE PASSENGER-SIDE WHEEL WELL, I CHECKED TO SEE IF THAT HAD TRIPPED AND IT HAD. ONCE IT WAS RESET THE CAR WAS ABLE TO START AND THE ENGINE RAN NORMALLY. AS A RESULT OF THIS CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURE MY WIFE WAS PLACED IN AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION, STRANDED ON THE ROAD, AND SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO OUR VEHICLE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING AS A FORMER AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER THAT TIRE FAILURES OF THIS KIND ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AND ANY TIRE THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO THIS FAILURE MUST NOT BE USED. I HAVE REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES WITH NEW TIRES OF A DIFFERENT BRAND AND AM WORKING ON HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS EVENT I HAD CHECKED THE PRESSURE IN ALL 4 TIRES AND HAD INFLATED THEM JUST UNDER THE MAXIMUM LISTED ON THE SIDE OF THE TIRE (44 PSI). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10345410July 26, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SITTING IDLE AT A TRAFFIC STOP WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH BY WEAVING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO PARK BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT THEN ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE PASSENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS VERY LITTLE BRAKE FLUID IN THE VEHICLE BUT ENOUGH THAT THE BRAKES SHOULD HAVE STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND EXHAUST/ GAS RECIRCULATION FLAW WERE DEFECTIVE AND POSSIBLY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 10/15/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED. UPDATED 10/21/10*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10329163May 6, 2010
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE APPEARED ON THE SCENE AND ONE OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS WAS REPORTED INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 132,000. UPDATED 10/19/10*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10322750March 29, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE A 2001 FORD ESCORT ZX2. IVE HAD IT A LITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW. THIS REOCCURRING PROBLEM IS GETTING VERY FRUSTRATING. WHEN I START MY CAR IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS GETTING READY TO DIE. IT JUST STRUGGLES AT VERY LOW RPM. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A WAY TO ADJUST THE IDLE BUT IS THERE A FIX? *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319837March 15, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE ACCELERATOR STUCK TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE IN FULL THROTTLE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. FORTUNATELY IT WAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND OUT OF GEAR WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. I HAD STOMPED ON THE GAS PEDAL BY MISTAKE. I SEARCHED THE FLOOR AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR ANYTHING THAT MAY HAVE PREVENTED THE ACCELERATOR FROM DISENGAGING AND FOUND NO APPARENT REASON FOR THE PHENOMENON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10318126March 9, 2010
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD ESCORT. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE SHE WAS REAR-ENDED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO HER HEAD AREA. SHE MENTIONED SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELTS AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH AND BELIEVED THE FAILURE OF THE SEATBELTS CONTRIBUTED TO HER INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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