FaultScore

1994 Ford Escort engine problems

37 of the 351 complaints about the 1994 Ford Escort are about the engine — 11% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 142,708 miles.

C

37

Complaints

0

Crashes

4

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Gasoline 16 43.2%
Engine 9 24.3%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys 3 8.1%
FAN 3 8.1%
Cooling System 2 5.4%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 2 5.4%
Emission Control 1 2.7%
Catalytic Convertor 1 2.7%

Engine & Cooling across every Ford Escort year

1986 11 2.0%
1987 14 2.6%
1988 28 5.1%
1989 30 5.5%
1990 12 2.2%
1991 17 3.1%
1992 16 2.9%
1993 37 6.8%
1994 37 6.8%
1995 62 11.4%
1996 36 6.6%
1997 75 13.8%
1998 57 10.5%
1999 64 11.8%
2000 24 4.4%
2001 13 2.4%
2002 11 2.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Unknown, DC Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1994 FORD ESCORT CUSTOMER WANTS INFO ABOUT ENGINE CATCHING FIRE**CC

NHTSA complaint #10185822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 142,708 miles Pontiac, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE FAILURE. THE HEAD ON THE 1.9 LITRE ENGINES HAVE A BUILT IN FLAW. THE INTAKE VALVE ON NUMBER 4 CYLINDER FAILS. THE VALVE SEAT BREAKS APART CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE PISTON AND ALSO THE HEAD. 4 VEHICLES FOUND TO HAVE THIS DEFECT WHILE WE WERE LOOKING FOR A USED REPLACEMENT HEAD.

NHTSA complaint #10116483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gibsonia, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS SERPENTINE BELT HAS POPPED OUT OFF PULLEY WHILE DRIVING. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES DUE TO HARMONIC BALANCER AND THE RUBBER INSULATED PULLEY ON THE ENGINE HAD FAILED TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #8008588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Peru, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MAIN CRANK SHAFT PULLEY PULLED AWAY FROM RUIBBER, RESULTING IN VIBRATION DAMPER AND CAUSING THE MAIN BELT TO FALL OFF WHILD DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT. STEERING CONTROL BECAME STIFF AND BATTERY CHARGING LIGHT CAME ON. THERE HAS BEEN FIFTEEN FAILURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT.

NHTSA complaint #9004902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Citrus Hgts, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE IT MADE A NOISE AND STALLED OUT. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS NOT PULLING LIKE IT SHOULD. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED INTAKE VALVE SEAT COVER BROKE.

NHTSA complaint #891409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rockland, ME

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT IS HANGING FROM CEILING OF CAR, BELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY.*AK ENGINE FAILED AND REPLACED. CONSUMER CONCERN THE ODOMETER READING WILL NOT MATCH.

NHTSA complaint #874751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Bernardino, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SINCE THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROMBLEMS WITH MY VECHILE,

NHTSA complaint #734840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norfolk, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

MY OWNERS MAINTENANCE SCHEDUAL CALLS FOR THE TIMING BELT OF THE 1.8L ENGINE(ONLY)TO BE CHANGED AT 60K, WERE THE 1.9L ENGINE TIMEING BELT IS NOT LISTED. MADE MYSELF A REAL PAIN TO HAVE IT CHANGED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE CHANGED IN MY VIEHICLE. NOW THAT THE BELT HAS BROKEN, I AM TOLD THAT IT IS MAY OWN STUPID FAULT. I LIKE TO DO THE PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE ON THE CARS. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS; WHERE DO I GO WRONG? I KNOW THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHANGED, BUT WHY PUT IT IN THE OWNERS MANUAL NOT TO?

NHTSA complaint #729567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Medford, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAS ALWAYS READ HIGH SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR. IN AN ATTEMPT TO COOL DOWN THE ENGINE WHILE I'M IN TRAFFIC, I HAVE TO TURN ON THE DEFROSTER. TO KICK IN THE ENGINE FAN.

NHTSA complaint #725783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Medford, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAS ALWAYS READ HIGH SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR. IN AN ATTEMPT TO COOL DOWN THE ENGINE WHILE I'M IN TRAFFIC, I HAVE TO TURN ON THE DEFROSTER. TO KICK IN THE ENGINE FAN.

NHTSA complaint #725783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rockville Park, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED CONTINUED ENGINE PROBLEMS AND FAILURES, REQUIRES COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #550967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

River Edge, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE CANNOT ACCELERATE WITHOUT EXPERIENCING SURGES OR WITHDRAWALS IN POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED VEHICLE THREE TIMES, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA complaint #857417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seffner, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

GET A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE ONLY WHEN PRESSING THE GAS, CAN BE ACCELERATING OR STAYING AT A NORMAL SPEED. KNOCKING STOPS WHEN I RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL.

NHTSA complaint #718454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Atlanta, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

RADIATOR FAN IS DEFECTIVE. FAN SHROUD'S SHARP EDGES IS CUTTING INTO THE RADIATOR ,LEAKS START, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGES THE HEADS. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP.AK

NHTSA complaint #851663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richmond, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

MOTOR FAILED. MJS

NHTSA complaint #549489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richmond, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

MOTOR FAILED. MJS

NHTSA complaint #549489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittsfield, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TIMING BELT FAILED. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD NO RESPONSE WHEN ACCELERATOR PRESSED.

NHTSA complaint #714035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittsfield, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

TIMING BELT FAILED. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD NO RESPONSE WHEN ACCELERATOR PRESSED.

NHTSA complaint #714035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Irvington, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #708747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bartonsville, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING CAR LOST ALL POWER AND STALLED, WOULD NOT RESTART. CAR WAS TOWED TO GARAGE. WAS INFORMED BY THEM THE CAMSHAFT BROKE IN TWO PROBABLY DUE TO "BAD PART" THIS TOOK OUT THE HEAD WHEN IT BROKE AND BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED. I STILL HAVE THE BROKEN CAMSHAFT . HEAD WAS A EXCHANGE FOR THE REBUILT ONE.

NHTSA complaint #706484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbus, OH Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #836685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greenville, SC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE CUTS OFF WHILE RUNNING.

NHTSA complaint #781297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

S. Chittenden, VT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

PULLEY LOCKED UP CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOOSE CONTROL RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #544691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dillon, SC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES. CURRENTLY THE ENGINE MAKES A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. DEALER WON'T TRY TO FIX, THEY JUST KEEP REPLACING IT.

NHTSA complaint #823673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Blue Springs, MO Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

FIRE STARTED INSIDE THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #808747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alexandria, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS CRACKED; ALSO, CAMSHAFT FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL/TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF FITH GEAR.

NHTSA complaint #512175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cape Coral, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

HARMONIC BALANCE RSEPARATED FROM V-BELT DRIVE GEAR WHILE IDLING IN MASSIVE TRAFFIC DUE TO RUBBER DETERIORATING FROM THE HEAT, SEPARATING THE PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #802336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cape Coral, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

HARMONIC BALANCE RSEPARATED FROM V-BELT DRIVE GEAR WHILE IDLING IN MASSIVE TRAFFIC DUE TO RUBBER DETERIORATING FROM THE HEAT, SEPARATING THE PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #802336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Madison, WI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

AIR BAG ALARM INTERMITTENTLY BLINKS AN "A CODE 53" WHICH MEANS CRASH SENSOR HAS FAILED.*AK CONSUMER STATES ON COLD DAYS THE AIR BAG WILL INTERMITTENLY SOUND AN ALARM OR 53 MEANING A CRASH SENSOR IS FAILING, CONSUMER TOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS DUE TO THE IINTERMITTENT NATURE OF THE FAILURE, THE SENSOR WILL BLINK UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND THIS ONLY HAPPENS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE NOSIE, AND THE ENGINE BELTS WERE READJUSTED,ALSO CONSUMER STATES SHE HAD A SQUEAKY FAN AND ALSO LEFT PASSENGER SPEAKER WAS NOT WORKING.

NHTSA complaint #803062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Madison, WI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

AIR BAG ALARM INTERMITTENTLY BLINKS AN "A CODE 53" WHICH MEANS CRASH SENSOR HAS FAILED.*AK CONSUMER STATES ON COLD DAYS THE AIR BAG WILL INTERMITTENLY SOUND AN ALARM OR 53 MEANING A CRASH SENSOR IS FAILING, CONSUMER TOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS DUE TO THE IINTERMITTENT NATURE OF THE FAILURE, THE SENSOR WILL BLINK UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND THIS ONLY HAPPENS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE NOSIE, AND THE ENGINE BELTS WERE READJUSTED,ALSO CONSUMER STATES SHE HAD A SQUEAKY FAN AND ALSO LEFT PASSENGER SPEAKER WAS NOT WORKING.

NHTSA complaint #803062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1994 Ford Escort problems

← Full 1994 Ford Escort report