122 of the
413 complaints about the 1991 Ford Escort are about the
electrical system — 30% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
128,375 miles.
AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS AND STILL BESIDE THE GAS PUMPS I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE CAR KEPT CRANKING BUT NOT STARTING. TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF AND CAR KEPT CRANKING. PULLED THE KEY OUT AND CAR KEPT CRANKING. PUT THE KEY BACK IN AND GOT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE WHILE CRANKING AND IT STOPPED. TURNED KEY AND VEHICLE STARTED (IN DRIVE MODE). VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP CRANKING IN PARK OR NEUTRAL MODES BUT WILL IN DRIVE MODE. WITH NO KEY VEHICLE TRIES TO START IN BOTH PARK AND NEUTRAL. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS SCARED WHEN IT KEPT CRANKING BESIDE THE GAS STATION TANKS THINKING I WAS GOING TO END UP BLOWING UP THE STATION.
NHTSA complaint #10525875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesMillsboro, DE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD ESCORT LX. THE CONTACT POURED BRAKE FLUID INTO THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE BLED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION, AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS SPEWING FORTH POWER STEERING FLUID. THE ALTERNATOR WAS LOPSIDED AND ITS SCREWS WERE MISSING. THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS REMOVED AND THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW THE REASON. WHEN SHE ARRIVED HOME AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO RESTART AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE WOULD SEND A TOW, BUT ONE NEVER ARRIVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
NHTSA complaint #10226363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Muskegon, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN YOU TURN IGNITION OFF RADIO CONTINUES TO PLAY FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES OR UNTIL YOU MANUALLY SHUT IT OFF, REPLACED IGNITION AND STILL HAS SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10112688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 136,000 milesMount Morris, PAFire
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?
NHTSA complaint #10082982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Cloud, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE TO TURN OFF ENGINE. SMOKE COMING INTO THE INSIDE OF VEHICLE FROM THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10066376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bristol, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE CONSUMER WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FELL ONTO THE FLOOR. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO COME TO A STOP. THE DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10051613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 132,000 milesSaint Joseph, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WIRING ASSEMBLY TO THE FUEL PUMP HAS BURNED UP 3X IN THE LAST MONTH. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS INCORRECT SPECIFIED 30AMP FUSE FOR FUEL PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #10024878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS STUCK IN ONE POSITION. POSSIBLY RELATED TO RECALL 93V057000.*JB
NHTSA complaint #10007387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clover, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #764170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Latham, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH IS FAULTY, CONSUMER FEELS A FULL RECALL IS NEEDED AND STATES THAT VEHICLE COULD STALL IN TRAFFIC. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomington, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #755533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Latham, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH IS FAULTY, CONSUMER FEELS A FULL RECALL IS NEEDED AND STATES THAT VEHICLE COULD STALL IN TRAFFIC. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterford, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH TO HOME NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING FROM DASH AREA. VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT A FIRE BROKE OUT FROM A WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DASH. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NO RECALL WAS FOUND ON THAT VEHICLE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #897017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stephens City, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ENGINE HAD BEEN CUT OFF ABOUT 15 MINUTES. SOMEONE TOLD CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS SMOKING. IGNITION AREA AND DASHBOARD WERE BURNING. CONSUMER HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT ALL OF THE DASH AREA AROUND THE IGNITION WAS DESTROYED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #894862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dearborn, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE WAS PARKED 2 WEEKS WHEN IT STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER HOOD. CONTACTED FIRE DEPARTMENT. FLAMES SEEN IN FRONT OF VEHICLE WERE EXTINGUISHED. FIRE DEPARTMENT GAVE INDICATION THAT ELECTRICAL WIRING CAUSED THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #887393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Edgerton, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #740709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winnetka, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CONSUMER HAS READ IN MEDIA THAT THIS MODEL HAS A PROBLEM WITH IGNITION MODULE, IT COULD CATCH FIRE AT ANYTIME.
NHTSA complaint #879349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Queens Village, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #738272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wooddstock, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHEN CONSUMER PUT KEY IN IGNITION SWITCH AND TURNED KEY, VEHICLE DID NOT TURN ON. WHEN SHE SHOVED KEY BACK AND TURNED OPPOSITE WAY. IT WILL TURN. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #878121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lousville, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER LOCKED UP. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE'S MAKE/MODEL. HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #863318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Doswell, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND CAUSED SHORT IN THE STARTER AND BURNING. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #551682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smyrna, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY RUNS AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. YH
NHTSA complaint #551494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION LOCK COMPLETELY DISENGAGED FROM STEERING COLUMN HOUSING (AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID # 93V057000), BUT LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT MY VEHICLE VIN SHOWS THAT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL. MY CAR'S IGNITION CYLINDER IS SO LOOSE THAT, SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK, I HAVE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE CAR (THE ENTIRE IGNITION CYLINDER ROTATES AS THE KEY IS TURNED), I OFTEN CANNOT REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY (THE IGNITION CYLINDER ROTATES, PREVENTING THE KEY FROM BEING DISENGAGED FROM THE CYLINDER), WHEN THE KEY IS FINALLY REMOVED, THE IGNITION CYLINDER IS STILL PARTIALLY ROTATED BECAUSE THE "KEY IN IGNITION'" WARNING NOISE OCCURS WHEN THE DRIVERS DOOR IS OPENED. NO LOSS OF CONTROL AT THIS TIME, BUT I FEEL THAT THIS IS ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY WITH THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM HAVING WITH THE IGNITION CYLINDER. ALSO, WHEN I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION CYLINDER, I CAN HEAR A METALLIC "CLICK" (FROM WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN HOUSING) AS THE IGNITION CYLINDER IS ROTATING ( THE LOOSE ROLL PINS?).
NHTSA complaint #720512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Doswell, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
BATTERY CABLE CORRODED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #551066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Doswell, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRES BURNED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE STARTER. NLM
NHTSA complaint #551066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Doswell, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #551066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lebanon, CTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
NONE
NHTSA complaint #715386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TWO Rivers, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHEN STARTING THE CAR UP THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH AND ALSO FROM UNDER THE HOOD. OWNER HAD TO REPLACE THE WIRNG HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD AND UNDER THE DASH. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. AK
NHTSA complaint #851379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seymoor, INFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
TAIL LIGHTS LOCATED IN THE REAR WINDOW SHORT CIRCUITED, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WITHIN THE WIRING, AND RESULTING IN A FIRE IN THE SOCKET. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS YET TO REPLACE PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #851079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tecumsch, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
INLINE FUSE FUSE TO GAS TANK IS BLOWING OUT DUE TO CONTACT WITH WITH FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT.
NHTSA complaint #850226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.