12 of the
413 complaints about the 1991 Ford Escort are about the
steering — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
101,000 miles.
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.
Metamora, IL
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
STEERING WHEEL UNEXPECTEDLY LOCKS UP DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE WHILE IDLING OR TRAVELING 40 MPH AROUND A LONG CURVE. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM, AND WAS NOT SHOWING THIS VEHICLE BEING INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 93V057000 (IGNITION: ANTI-THEFT). PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.
NHTSA complaint #8001632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHILE EXITING OFF A RAMP AT 35MPH THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING NOISE, AND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE TURNED INWARD AND LOCKED UP. DEALER SAID THE VEHICLE NEEDED PINS AND BOLTS FOR THE ROD.
NHTSA complaint #851592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
PINS THAT HOLD THE TIE ROD IN PLACE WERE NOT LOCATED ON THIS VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWY AT 35-40 MPH THE BOLT DISENGAGED, CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK UP, AND LOSS OF STEERING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #851609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Islip, NY
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
THE DRAPER PULLEY BROKE AND SNAPPED, CAUSING POWER STEERING BELT TO BRAKE, RESULTING IN NO POWER STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #843787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, WI
STEERING:LINKAGES
THEIR ARE THREE BRAKE LIGHTS. FROM WITHIN THE CENTER LIGHT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT BECAUSE BRAKE LIGHT MELTED THE PLASTIC. ALSO, DEALER REPLACED BOTH STEERING TIE RODS.
NHTSA complaint #842010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Akron, OH
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD BROKE DUE TO WEAR.
NHTSA complaint #516856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Akron, OH
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #517113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Akron, OH
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATED WHEN DRIVING AT 30 TO 35 MPH THE RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD END BROKE WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A RAPID STOP.
NHTSA complaint #811764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pocatello, ID
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
INNER TIE ROD FAILED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #511702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pamona, NYCrash
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY DUE TO OUTER TIE ROD FAILING, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/CRASH. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF COMPLETE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #985357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Hiawath, NJ
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
SCREW AT BASE OF STEERING COLUMN CAME LOOSE. CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. PLEASE DESCRIBE OTHER PROBLEMS. TT
NHTSA complaint #972252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.