37 of the
480 complaints about the 1993 Ford Escort are about the
engine — 8% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
27,000 miles.
IN 1992 I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 1993 ESCORT GT SPARTANBURG, SC. THE 1ST PART OF THE YEAR EVERYTHING WAS FINE. AFTER, THE CAR WAS IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP TO DATE FOR HESITATION, FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEMS, ODD NOISES AND OTHER THINGS. I FILED FOR LEMON LAW IN 1993-94 IN TEXAS. WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REPLACE THE MOTOR, COULD TAKE UP TO A MONTH BEFORE I GOT THE CAR BACK. WHEN ASKED IF THEY WOULD SUPPLY A LOANER CAR I WAS TOLD NO. WITHOUT FINANCES TO RENT A CAR TO GET TO & FROM WORK (50 MLS DAILY) I COULD NOT ACCEPT THE OFFER AT THAT TIME WITHOUT THEM PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION. OVER THE YEARS, IT'S BEEN 1 PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. SINCE 1994, I REPLACED 3 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, NUMEROUS DIAGNOSTIC MACHINES TO FIND WHY IT WOULD STALL IN IDLE AND NO ACCELERATION AFTER CAR WARMED UP& OTHER THINGS. IN 1995, THE FUEL TANK DEVELOPED A CRACK AT SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN & THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED AT TOP OF TANK RESULTING IN FUMES & GAS LEAKING WHEN FILLED. THREE FORD DEALERSHIPS SAID ONLY 1992 FORD ESCORTS WERE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO EVEN THOUGH IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1992. THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT, DRIVER SIDE QUIT WORKING. WE REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE BUT STILL WON'T WORK. SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WIRING. TWO FORD DEALERSHIPS CAN'T FIX NOR TWO AUTO ELECTRICIANS. I CONTACTED FORD AGAIN UNDER LEMON LAW, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A ONE TIME OFFER. SINCE I REFUSED THE FIRST OFFER, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. RECOMMENDED I SELL THE CAR AND BUY ANOTHER ONE. I CAN NOT POSSIBLY PUT THESE PROBLEMS ON SOMEONE ELSE? THIS WAS TOTALLY UNETHICAL. I"VE BEEN LOYAL TO FORD SINCE IN MY TEENS. THIS IS MY 2ND FORD ESCORT & MY FIRST/ONLY NEW VEHICLE I EVER OWNED. I STILL HAVE THE CAR & WOULD REALLY LIKE FORD TO DO RIGHT BY ME IN THIS SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #10186626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesStatesville, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
IN 1992 I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 1993 ESCORT GT SPARTANBURG, SC. THE 1ST PART OF THE YEAR EVERYTHING WAS FINE. AFTER, THE CAR WAS IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP TO DATE FOR HESITATION, FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEMS, ODD NOISES AND OTHER THINGS. I FILED FOR LEMON LAW IN 1993-94 IN TEXAS. WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REPLACE THE MOTOR, COULD TAKE UP TO A MONTH BEFORE I GOT THE CAR BACK. WHEN ASKED IF THEY WOULD SUPPLY A LOANER CAR I WAS TOLD NO. WITHOUT FINANCES TO RENT A CAR TO GET TO & FROM WORK (50 MLS DAILY) I COULD NOT ACCEPT THE OFFER AT THAT TIME WITHOUT THEM PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION. OVER THE YEARS, IT'S BEEN 1 PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. SINCE 1994, I REPLACED 3 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, NUMEROUS DIAGNOSTIC MACHINES TO FIND WHY IT WOULD STALL IN IDLE AND NO ACCELERATION AFTER CAR WARMED UP& OTHER THINGS. IN 1995, THE FUEL TANK DEVELOPED A CRACK AT SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN & THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED AT TOP OF TANK RESULTING IN FUMES & GAS LEAKING WHEN FILLED. THREE FORD DEALERSHIPS SAID ONLY 1992 FORD ESCORTS WERE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO EVEN THOUGH IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1992. THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT, DRIVER SIDE QUIT WORKING. WE REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE BUT STILL WON'T WORK. SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WIRING. TWO FORD DEALERSHIPS CAN'T FIX NOR TWO AUTO ELECTRICIANS. I CONTACTED FORD AGAIN UNDER LEMON LAW, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A ONE TIME OFFER. SINCE I REFUSED THE FIRST OFFER, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. RECOMMENDED I SELL THE CAR AND BUY ANOTHER ONE. I CAN NOT POSSIBLY PUT THESE PROBLEMS ON SOMEONE ELSE? THIS WAS TOTALLY UNETHICAL. I"VE BEEN LOYAL TO FORD SINCE IN MY TEENS. THIS IS MY 2ND FORD ESCORT & MY FIRST/ONLY NEW VEHICLE I EVER OWNED. I STILL HAVE THE CAR & WOULD REALLY LIKE FORD TO DO RIGHT BY ME IN THIS SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #10186626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesNewton Falls, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
DT: PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AT A USED LOT. AFTER 90 DAYS THE TRANSMISSION PUMP WENT OUT. BOUGHT IT WITH 48,000 MILES. WENT TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANIC SHOPS, AND THEY SAID IT HAD TOO MUCH WEAR FOR THAT AMOUNT OF MILEAGE. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAME OFF, THE SHOCKS WERE BAD, THE TIRES WERE AL DEFECTIVE, AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE DEALER FROM WHO THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WAS OUT BUSINESS.
NHTSA complaint #10133008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesSaint George, UT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS. THE BELT WILL TIGHTEN INADVERTENTLY, FEELING AS IF CONSUMER WAS BEING CHOKED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIRS WILL COST $400.00. *AK....ALSO, FRONT FENDER AND MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE ABOVE THE FENDER IS PEELING PAINT, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND GOES OFF WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES AT STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT OR WHENEVER CONSUMER APPLIES THE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10103195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesUnknown, DC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE'S RPMS STAY HIGH AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED. *MR THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE PEDAL WASN'T STICKY NOR WAS THE THROTTLE CABLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RARELY ILLUMINATED. THIS PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING DURING COLD WEATHER (BELOW 0 DEGREES). THE RPMS REVVED HIGH AND CONTINUED TO RISE WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE "SOLVED" THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW MINUTES OR UNTIL THE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THE AIR INTAKE VALVE WAS CLEANED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10054041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ypsilanti, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE PROBLEMS USUALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE REFUSE TO SPEED UP, THE RPM INDICATOR WILL TURN, THE ENGINE WILL RUN, BUT THE FORWARD MOTION JUST DIES. FIXED BY PULLING OVER AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE. FEELS LIKE A DESIGN PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #9005426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cary, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
WHILE TRAVELING HEARD NOISE FROM UNDER VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND TECHNICIAN STATED THAT CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK HEAT SHIELDS ARE COMING LOOSE AND ARE RATTLING, TSB 98-20-10 HAS BEEN ISSUED, HOWEVER MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #894435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, KY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
PLEASE REFER TO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS 95185, 95153 AND 95132. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE MODE ON MY CAR. AS NOTED AND CLEARLY STATED IN THE TSB'S, THIS IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. FORD REFUSES TO PROVIDE A FREE FIX AND OR RECALL TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION FOR OUT OF WARRANTY CARS. I COULD ALSO MAKE A CASE THAT THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD IN THAT A PERSON EXPERIENCING THIS FAILURE WOULD LIKELY THINK THAT THEY WERE HAVING AN ENGINE FAILURE CAUSING THEM TO DIVE OF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY. IMAGINE BEING IN TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL FO A SUDDEN SEEING YOUR TEMP GAUGE MAX TO THE HIGH SIDE AND STAY THERE! FORD REPAIR UTILIZING THE "REPAIR" KIT FOR THIS PROBLEM IS OVER $350.NO SAFETYD EFECT MENTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #743570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE STALLS AND MY MECHANIC IS NOT ABLE TO FIND OUT WHY
NHTSA complaint #734114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Jeff STA, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY AT ANY SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #872873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allenton, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SMELLED OF GAS, UPON GETTING OUT OF THE CAR NOTICE GAS POURING FROM THE CAR, SEAT DONT LOCK PROPERLY, HEAD GASKET REPLACED
NHTSA complaint #9000921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING BELT FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #552036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #552036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING BELT FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #552036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #552036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mooseheart, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #721024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rehoboth, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO A BROKEN ROD WHICH DAMAGED OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #841664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wellsville, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
IDLES HIGH AFTER GOING SHORT DISTANCES AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BYPASS VALVE AND THE THROTTLE .
NHTSA complaint #837830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuquerqu, NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE DAMAGED DUE TO RECESSED VALVE AND THE VALVE SEAT CAME APART.
NHTSA complaint #515136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Florence, AL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE HEAD GASKET THAT BURNT OUT THE ENGINE PISTONS AND PUSH RODS BLEW OUT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #830737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Loui, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CAR STALLS.
NHTSA complaint #521052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burton, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE THE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE PULLEY ON THE CRANKSHAFT THAT DRIVES THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS PUSHED OUT TOWARD THE FRAME OF THE CAR, CAUSING THE BELT TO COME OFF. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED BY A MECHANIC. MECHANIC STATED TO CONSUMER THAT PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER.
NHTSA complaint #826376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Providence, RI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THE RUBBER MOUNT THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE CRANKSHAFT: PULLEY SLIPPED, CAUSING THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO CRACK, CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO TWIST UP, RESULTING IN A BROKEN TIMING BELT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #826278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Highland, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY & NOTICED STEERING WAS HARD. PULLED OVER. ANOTHER MOTORIST LIFTED HOOD & NOTICED THAT A BELT WAS BROKEN. CALLED A TOW TRUCK & VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC CHECKED UNDERHOOD & NOTICED POWER STEERING SHAFT HAD SNAPPED. ALSO, THE BOLTS HOLDING THE PULLEY FOR SERPENTINE BELT HAD BROKEN COMPLETELY.
NHTSA complaint #823415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Little Falls, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
RELEASED FOOT BRAKE, ENGINE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO SURGE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD INTO THE CROSSWALK, REPLACE TP SENSOR, FLUSHED INJECTOR, CLEAN THROTTLE BODY UNITS, RECCOMENT TUNE UP FILTER OIL LK AND OUTER TIE ROD ENDS AND ALIGNMENT, DECLINED.
NHTSA complaint #522848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blue Sprin, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PULLEY SEPARATES, BREAKS POWER STEERING BELT AND RUBS AGAINST THE FRAME AND CAUSES SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #527551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millsboro, DE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
PRESSURE FEEDBACK EGR SENSOR AND EGR VACUUM RECULATOR MISSING, NEVER INSTALLED ON VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #527451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Perry, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE SHUTS OFF.
NHTSA complaint #523690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Youngstown, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WATER PUMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #519354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Schenectad, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET FAILED DUE TO OVER TORQUED BOLT.
NHTSA complaint #517307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.