Ford Escort Complaints (1997)

543 consumer complaints on file.

#11530867July 7, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The rubber fuel filler neck hose that connects the metal fuel filler neck to the gas tank failed for the first time in 2013. During fueling, a large pool of gasoline leaked onto the pavement under the vehicle, presenting an environmental and fire hazard. The filler neck hose was replaced with a Ford OEM hose purchased from a local Ford dealer in Sacramento, CA. The replacement hose failed in a similar manner the original hose in less than two years time - thus requiring replacement in 2015. A genuine Ford OEM replacement was obtained from a dealer in the Sacramento area and installed. This hose failed in less than 2 years time, in 2017. Again a replacement hose was obtained from a Sacramento area Ford dealer ind installed. This hose then failed in 2019 and was replaced with another Ford dealer-obtained part... which failed in 2021 and was replaced with another Ford dealer-obtained part. The hose has failed again in less than 2 years time. It is apparent that the replacement parts that Ford has been selling through their dealers are made of a material that is not suitable for the application. Since the original part lasted 16 years, it should be possible to make a replacement part last a similar period of time. The vehicle has been a 'one family' ownership since purchased new in 1997, so the service history is well known by the present owners. The (lack of quality) of this part presents a safety and environmental hazard. Similar quality issues have been reported by other owners of the same vehicle. It is likely that other vehicle models are experiencing similar issues if the supplier of this part is also supplying other similar parts. See Ford Escort Owners Association online forum (with search feature) to read about other's experiences with these parts - here's a few: https://www.feoa.net/threads/gas-filler-neck-hose-cracking.112610/post-1076796 https://www.feoa.net/threads/fuel-hose-tank-to-filler-neck-how-long-should-it-last.105585/post-995753
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11171999January 24, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FLASHING AIR BAG READINESS LIGHT IN A "51" PATTERN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10904225September 6, 2016
AIR BAGS
SAFETY HORN STICKS AND REMAINS IN ON POSITION CREATING A DRIVING SAFETY RISK. DEALER EXPLAINS THAT THE HORN SWITCH IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIR BAG. BASED ON ALL INTERNET COMPLAINTS AND AIR BAG PROBLEMS, MIGHT BE TIME TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE FORD'S COMMITMENT TO SAFETY AND AIRBAG PERFORMANCE. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/ESCORT/1997/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/COMMUNICATIONS-HORN_ASSEMBLY.SHTML
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10822374January 26, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES AND FUSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10592090May 17, 2014
AIR BAGS
MY MOTHER AND I WERE DRIVING TO MY GRANDPARENTS HOUSE WHEN SHE HIT A BABY DEER GOING ABOUT 35 MPH. I WAS 12 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME AND SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED HITTING ME IN RIGHT SIDE OF THE FACE. MY TEETH WENT INTO MY LIP, AND I HAD BURN MARKS FROM THE AIRBAG ON MY CHEEKBONES, AND CHIN, ALSO MY RIGHT EYE WAS SWOLLEN SHUT THE NEXT DAY. I WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE THE POLICE OFFICER INFORMED MY MOTHER THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. HE SAID THE AIRBAGS WERE SO SENSITIVE THAT HE COULD HAVE KICKED THE BUMPER AND THEY WOULD HAVE WENT OFF. MY MOTHER ONLY RECEIVED A BROKEN FINGER FROM WHERE HER HANDS WERE RESTING ON THE STEERING WHEEL. *JS
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10567436March 5, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I TURNED RIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT AND SLOWLY TURNED RIGHT AGAIN INTO A PARKING SPACE. WHILE I WAS BRAKING, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND HIT A BUILDING. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10554623December 3, 2013
ENGINE
VALVE SEAT NO. 4 FELL OUT OF HEAD AND WAS DESTROYED, DAMAGING NO. 4 AND NO. 3 PISTON, AND THE HEAD ITSELF. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE TOTAL FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE PARKED RATHER THAN ON THE INTERSTATE, AT WHICH TIME POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WOULD HAVE FAILED. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN MODE OF FAILURE FOR THIS ENGINE BUT, APPARENTLY, FORD AND NHTSA TOOK NO STEPS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE ENGINE WAS DISCONTINUED IN 2005. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10538195August 31, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS CAR. IT WAS NOT VERY DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT OF A BRAKE LINE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. THE LOCATION OF THE BRAKE LINE FAILURE IS WHERE THE LINE IS FASTENED TO THE BODY WHEN THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS DEFECT MAY EXIST ON MANY OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE, THAT IS WHY I AM REPORTING IT TO YOU. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467606July 25, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT APPEARED ON THE SCENE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V323000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE) AND PLANNED ON CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456933April 30, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIGOROUSLY AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
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
#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
#10306773February 5, 2010
STRUCTURE
1997 FORD ESCORT LX WAGON COMPONENT: STRUCTURE:HATCHBACK HYDRAULIC CYLINDER:TRUNK CYLINDER MANUFACTURER: FORD MOTOR COMPANY THE CLIPS THAT HOLD THE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER TO THE FRAME HAVE COME OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE LIFTGATE ASSIST. HOW THIS WAS DETERMINED WAS I OPENED THE HATCHBACK AND LEANED IN AND THE HYDRAULIC ARM CAME OFF AND THE HATCHBACK FELL ON ME. BOTH SCARY AND PAINFUL I CONTACTED FORD ATTEMPTING TO OBTAIN REPLACEMENT CLIPS, BUT THEY ARE REQUIRING ME TO PURCHASE AN ENTIRE ASSEMBLY. I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH THEIR RESPONSE, BECAUSE 1) THIS MIGHT POTENTIALLY CAUSE INJURY TO OTHER OWNERS OF THE FORD ESCORT LX WAGON, 2) IT ONLY NEEDS THE CLIPS I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO PURCHASE UNNECESSARY COMPONENTS FOR MONETARY AND ENVIRONMENTAL REASONS, 3) THIS IS PART OF THE FRAME AND SHOULD NEVER BECOME A HAZARD TO PEOPLE. GAS CYLINDER BRACKET ON THE RIGHT HAND BODYSIDE OUTER PANEL WAS INCORRECTLY WELDED. THE GAS CYLINDER BRACKET MAY NOT PROPERLY SUPPORT THE LIFTGATE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10280907August 18, 2009
SUSPENSION, SUSPENSION:REAR
NOISE THAT COULD NOT BE LOCATED IN REAR. REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKE . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259840February 24, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1997 FORD ESCORT RUBBER FILL PIPE DETERIORATES SPILLING GASOLINE ON GROUND WHEN REFILLING FUEL TANK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241830September 11, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR, EQUIPMENT
I TOOK MY ESCORT IN FOR AN INSPECTION AND THE REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN AGAIN THE FIRST TIME THEY BROKE THE DEALER REPLACED THEM AND SAID HE THOUGHT A RECALL WOULD BE ISSUED BECAUSE FORD NEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THEM NOW ONCE AGAIN THEY ARE BROKEN AND THERE IS STILL NO RECALL IF SOMEONE KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THEM WHY AREN'T THEY CORRECTING THE PROBLEM AND DO WE THE CONSUMERS HAVE TO KEEP SHELLING OUT OUR HARD EARNED MONEY FOR REPAIRS. THIS CAR IS A 1997 FORD ESCORT AND REAR SPRINGS WERE REPLACED TWICE JUST NOT FAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233976July 11, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
1997FORD ESCORT WAGON. HAVING HAD THIS CAR FOR EIGHT YEARS, WHERE I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE REARS SPRING ONCE, I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF SCHEDULING TO REPLACE THE REAR SPRINGS A SECOND TIME TO THE AMOUNT OF $700.00. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND FROM MECHANICS AND FROM THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A 'COMMON PROBLEM" WITH FORD. SINCE THIS HAS HAPPEN A SECOND TIME, FOR ME I FEEL I SHOULD GET SOME FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM FORD FOR THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE SUSPENSION. THIS SUSPENSION PROBLEM SHOULD BE A RECALL FROM FORD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232425June 26, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUALLY COMES ON , EVEN AFTER NUMEROUS TIMES OF TAKING IT TO THE AUTO SHOP TO BE HOOKED TO THE COMPUTER TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG AND AFTER HAVING IT FIXED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10226312April 30, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS, SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, SUSPENSION, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ESCORT. WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END BALL JOINTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, DRUMS, AND FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER HAVE BOTH BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, BUT SHE DOES NOT TRUST THAT THE SPEEDOMETER IS CURRENTLY WORKING PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 06-03/08. *LJ THE TIE ROD END, REAR SPRING, WINDSHIELD, UPPER BALL JOINT, ODOMETER KNOB, REAL PASSENGER SEAL WERE ALL REPLACED. UPDATED 05/30/08
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219689February 29, 2008
TIRES:SIDEWALL, TIRES, EQUIPMENT
PURCHASED (4) COOPER TIRES(185/65R14 TRENDER SETTER; D.O.T. UT75C2H1602 ON 8-12-2002. A SIDEWALL DEFECT(2X1" BUBBLE) WAS NOTICED AND MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ON 1/2006. TIRE(SAME TYPE) WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S COST. ANOTHER TIRE SIDEWALL DEFECT(2X1" BUBBLE) WAS NOTICED ON 1/2008 IN THE SAME LOCATION AS THE FIRST. THIS TIRE WAS RETURNED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR EVALUATION. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED IT WAS NOT DEFECTIVE, BUT CAUSED BY CUSTOMER. THIS CAUSED CUSTOMER TO LOOSE CONFIDENCE IN THE QUALITY OF THE MANUFACURER'S TIRES FOR FEAR OF A SIDEWALL BLOW OUT. ALL TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND AT OWNER'S COST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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