44 of the
222 complaints about the 1992 Ford Escort are about the
electrical system — 20% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
102,239 miles.
MY PATIENT HAD GONE TO HIS DIALYSIS APPOINTMENT AND WHEN HE GOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND TURNED THE KEY IT WOULD NOT START. HE WAITED FOR A BIT AND TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT STARTED. AS HE WAS DRIVING HOME, THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. HE HAD SOME PEOPLE HELP PUSH IT AROUND THE CORNER AND CALLED ME TO GET IT TOWED TO HIS HOUSE. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE VEHICLE I TRIED IT AND IT SEEMED AS THOUGH IT HAD A DEAD BATTERY. I CALLED AAA TO COME GIVE ME A JUMP AND WAITED FOR AN HOUR. WHEN THEY AAA GOT THERE AND GOT OUT OF THEIR TRUCK, THEY GOT IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AND TURNED THE KEY AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP WITH NO JUMP. WE TOOK A LOOK AT THE IGNITION WHEN WE GOT HOME AND TURNED THE KEY AND IT WAS STICKING BUT IT TURNED ON. I WAS HAVING THE CAR BROUGHT INTO A SHOP TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND IT DIED AGAIN. WHEN TRIED TO RESTART THE PIN IN THE END OF THE IGNITION SNAPPED OFF AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED TO THE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION. OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 9 MONTHS THE IGNITION HAS STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR AT FIRST BUT AFTER IT WAS REPLACED FOUND OUT THAT IT WASN'T THAT. IT OVER CHARGES THE BATTERY AND HAS SERIOUS POWER SURGES AND THEN JUST DIES LIKE NOTHING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS AND NOW IT JUST WONT START AT ALL. I KNOW IT ISN'T THE BATTERY, STARTER OR ALTERNATOR. I BELIEVE IT TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE STARTED DOESN'T ENGAGE WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY BUT ALL THE POWER COMES ON.
NHTSA complaint #10154922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,239 milesRockbridge, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD STARTED SMOKING. THE DRIVER PULLED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED A GARAGE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10040363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Danville, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ELECTRICAL FAILURE; DRIVER'S SIDE LAP BELT; DASH LIGHTS(SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE HEAT TEMP & REVOLOTION GUAGE), RADIO LIGHTS, DRIVER'S DOOR BUZZER/ OVERHEAD LIGHT; A/C,/ HEATER FAN INTERMITTENT. IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, X2, BOTH BRAKE LIGHT BULBS REPLACED: COURTESY LIGHT IN TRUNK NEEDS REPLACED. HAS NEVER BEEN TO GARAGE, TO BE REPAIRED, FOR ANY ABOVE ELECTRICAL.EXCEPTION, IGNITION REPLACED BY GARAGE X1.
NHTSA complaint #10037446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Danville, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
ELECTRICAL FAILURE; DRIVER'S SIDE LAP BELT; DASH LIGHTS(SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE HEAT TEMP & REVOLOTION GUAGE), RADIO LIGHTS, DRIVER'S DOOR BUZZER/ OVERHEAD LIGHT; A/C,/ HEATER FAN INTERMITTENT. IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, X2, BOTH BRAKE LIGHT BULBS REPLACED: COURTESY LIGHT IN TRUNK NEEDS REPLACED. HAS NEVER BEEN TO GARAGE, TO BE REPAIRED, FOR ANY ABOVE ELECTRICAL.EXCEPTION, IGNITION REPLACED BY GARAGE X1.
NHTSA complaint #10037446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Danville, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL FAILURE; DRIVER'S SIDE LAP BELT; DASH LIGHTS(SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE HEAT TEMP & REVOLOTION GUAGE), RADIO LIGHTS, DRIVER'S DOOR BUZZER/ OVERHEAD LIGHT; A/C,/ HEATER FAN INTERMITTENT. IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, X2, BOTH BRAKE LIGHT BULBS REPLACED: COURTESY LIGHT IN TRUNK NEEDS REPLACED. HAS NEVER BEEN TO GARAGE, TO BE REPAIRED, FOR ANY ABOVE ELECTRICAL.EXCEPTION, IGNITION REPLACED BY GARAGE X1.
NHTSA complaint #10037446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,000 milesAurora, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE A SHORT DISTANCE THERE WAS THE SMELL OF ELECTRICAL WIRE BURNING AND SOON AFTER, SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE DEFROSTER VENTS. VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND SMOKING QUIT. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS NOTED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD BURNT UP BEYOND REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10010123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesVisalia, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE TANK. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED A HOLE IN THE TANK. THE TANK HAD LEAKED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE V.I.N. WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RELATED RECALL 92V117000. TS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, A SUSPENSION BAR WAS NEEDED, AND WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED TO KEEP THE FUEL AT HALF FULL. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10001934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roseville, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE IT WILL CUT OFF. ONCE EXITING A RAMP VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY HAVE REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH 4 TIMES.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE HAD LOSS OF POWER IN THE MORNING THREE TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #8005688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomsburg, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FOR ABOUT A YEAR THIS CAR HAS QUIT RUNNING WHILE YOUR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE ENGINE JUST STOPS WITHOUT SPUTTERING OR ANYTHING. LIKE YOU SHUT IT OFF ,ONLY THE RADIO AND LIGHTS STAY ON (EXCEPT DASH LIGHTS) . SOMETIMES IT WILL START BACK UP WHILE YOUR STILL MOVING, BUT I USUALLY HAVE TO TURN THE KEY OFF AND ON UNTIL THE DASH LIGHTS COME BACK ON AND IT STARTS THEN. I HAD THIS CAR CHECKED ON A DIAGNOSTIC THING AND IT FOUND NOTHING WRONG. SOMETIMES IT WILL BE A MONTH WITHOUT DOING IT THEN IT DOES IT 10 TIMES IN A WEEK. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #734212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE PARKED UNDER DASH FIRE OCCURRED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS BEFORE SMOKE WAS NOTED BY A PASSER BY. EXPENSE OF REPAIR EXCEEDED THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #723952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER HAS NOT DETERMINED THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #847584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Johnstown, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
THE FUSE BLEW IN VEHICLE. EVERYTHING HAD SHUT DOWN. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST EVERY 2 WEEKS OR SO. BEEN TO DEALER AT LEAST 6 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR PROBLEM. THE FUSE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS NEVER CHECKED.
NHTSA complaint #843247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton TO, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED THREE TIMES DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH STICKING.
NHTSA complaint #524074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Alton, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
WIRING HARNESS INSULATION OBVIOUSLY CUT DURING ASSEMBLY. SHARP METAL EDGES ON INSIDE OF LIFTGATE AND "D" PILLAR WERE THE CULPRIT. BARE WIRES AND CUT WIRES WERE SHORTING TO CHASSIS GROUND. FIRE POTENTIAL WAS SERIOUS. INTERMITTANT 3RD BRAKE LIGHT, REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER AND HATCH LIGHT WERE NUISANCE PROBLEMS. OTHER COMPLAINANTS ON THIS SIGHT HAD 3RD BRAKE LIGHT MELT DOWN AND FIRE... THIS COULD BE A DEFINITE CAUSE IN THE WAGONS AND SHOULD BE LOOKED AT CLOSER IN THE SEDANS. ALSO, I WAS READING THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS CAR AND, THOUGH IT HAS BEEN FAIRLY RELIABLE FOR ME, I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE UNCONTROLLED THROTTLE ACCELLERATION OR STICKING ON 2 OCCASIONS. BOTH TIMES WERE DURING LONG TRIPS AND BOTH TIMES THE SYMPTOMS WOULD NOT DISAPPEAR UNTIL AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THERE IS SOMETHING TO THE OTHER'S COMPLAINTS. LASTLY, THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETURN. I ALSO NOTICED AN ALARMING NUMBER COMPLAINTS OF SEAT BELT FAILURES ON THIS VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT RETURN MECHANISM IS A FAULTY DESIGN. THE ASSEMBLY CAN SPREAD APART, ALLOWING THE RETURN SPRING TO LOOSE IT'S TENSION. THERE REALLY SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL OR INVESTIGATION ON THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES IN THIS VEHICLE. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #704542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesterfield, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
MULTIPLE ELETRICAL FAILURES IN INSTRUMENTATION AND PANEL CONTROLS. ABRUPT FAILURE OF DASH LIGHTS THAT ILLUMINATE SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER CRUCIAL INSTRUMENTATION. ALSO, MULTIPLE FAILURES OF ELECTRICALLY POWERED PASSIVE RESTRAINTS, CONFINING FRONT PASSENGERS IN SEATS WITH INABILITY TO DISABLE RESTRAINT (SHOULDER BELT). MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL FAILURES OF OTHER DASH INSTRUMENTATION/CONTROLS TO INCLUDE HEATING/COOLING/FAN/RADIO AND SIGNALS. IN REGARD TO SECOND COMPONENT, INABILITY TO PROPERLY INSTALL INDEPENDENT CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER) SEAT, EVEN WITH MANUFACTURER-SUPPLIED "LOCKING CLIP" AS BELTS CANNOT BE PROPERLY B SECURED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
NHTSA complaint #702954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesterfield, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
MULTIPLE ELETRICAL FAILURES IN INSTRUMENTATION AND PANEL CONTROLS. ABRUPT FAILURE OF DASH LIGHTS THAT ILLUMINATE SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER CRUCIAL INSTRUMENTATION. ALSO, MULTIPLE FAILURES OF ELECTRICALLY POWERED PASSIVE RESTRAINTS, CONFINING FRONT PASSENGERS IN SEATS WITH INABILITY TO DISABLE RESTRAINT (SHOULDER BELT). MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL FAILURES OF OTHER DASH INSTRUMENTATION/CONTROLS TO INCLUDE HEATING/COOLING/FAN/RADIO AND SIGNALS. IN REGARD TO SECOND COMPONENT, INABILITY TO PROPERLY INSTALL INDEPENDENT CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER) SEAT, EVEN WITH MANUFACTURER-SUPPLIED "LOCKING CLIP" AS BELTS CANNOT BE PROPERLY B SECURED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
NHTSA complaint #702954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Catlett, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING IGINITON SWITCH WAS VERY HOT. WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT INTO THE STORE THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE IGINITON SWITCH BEING HOT AND BURNED THE STARTER.
NHTSA complaint #831643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton Twp., MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION HAS FAILED FOUR TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #525255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburg, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED RESULTING IN FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #537377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tacoma, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL/NOT START AS PER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO YEAR OF MODEL 95S28.
NHTSA complaint #780122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton Twp., MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP, FORCING TO LEAVE THE DEYS LOCKED IN THE CAR..
NHTSA complaint #524074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Amesbury, MAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED WITH SMOKE. PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING AND THE WIRING HARNESS HOUSING WAS BURNING. THE DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #818834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chino Hills, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
ECC COMPUTER PLACED DIRECTLY UNDER THE HEATER CORE WITHOUT BEING WATERPROOFED, THIS RESULTED IN ECC SHORTING OUT WHEN HEATER CORE DEVELOPED A LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #516403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DES Plaine, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #506463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DES Plaine, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #506463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamburg, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY ALLOWED STARTER MOTOR TO ENGAGE WHENEVER THE CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED.
NHTSA complaint #514551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Camden, DEFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
RECALL 96V071000, ABOUT ONE WEEK AFTER HAVING RECALL WORK PERFORMED, DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE BELIEVED TO BE ELECTRICAL.
NHTSA complaint #809257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Osceola, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL SHORT, IGNITION SWITCH OVERHEATED, CAUSING THE SWITCH CONNECTOR TO BURN, ALSO WIRING BURNED. *AK DEALER FOUND BURNT WIRE LOOM AND BURNT STARTER SOLENOID, DEALER REPLACED STARTER AND REPAIRED WIRE LOOM, CONSUMER FEELS RECALL 95S28 SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE HIS VEHICLE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #804765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corbin, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN BATTERY. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE SWITCH SHORTED CAUSING IT TO MELT LIKE THE ONES IN RECALL. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #802244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corbin, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN BATTERY. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE SWITCH SHORTED CAUSING IT TO MELT LIKE THE ONES IN RECALL. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #802244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.