53 of the
725 complaints about the 1995 Ford Escort are about the
electrical system — 7% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
82,000 miles.
WHEN ON HIGHWAY 55 MPH OR MORE TRANSMISSIONS ACTS LIKE IT GOES INTO NEUTRAL HAVE NO OVERDRIVE OR DRIVE THEN ALSO SLIPS IN AND OUT. ALSO HAVE LIKE POWER SURGES WHEN USING THE HEATER IN THE CAR THE ENGINE REVS UP AND DOWN LIKE YOU ARE STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL EVEN WHEN IN PARK HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THESE ISSUES YET. ALSO HAVE HAD THE REAR WIPER MOTOR AND STUFF REPLACED AND STILL DO NOT GET WASHER SOLVENT TO REAR WIPER THE BRAKE LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF BACK WINDOW DOES NOT WORK EITHER CAUSES STILL UNKNOWN IT IS A 1995 FORD ESCORT LX WAGON WITH ONLY 73000 MILES 1.9 L.
NHTSA complaint #10156484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fullerton, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT LX. SHE HAS HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH SOME OF THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WHEN SHE TOUCHED THE CAR IT WOULD SHOCK HER, ESPECIALLY WHILE TOUCHING THE MEDAL SIDE OF THE CAR, AND COULD HEAR THE SOUND OF IT SHOCK HER. ALSO, COULD SMELL SOME TYPE OF CHEMICAL IN THE VEHICLE, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD HER THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM IT COULD BE THE SPARK PLUGS, BALANCING OF THE CAR. SINCE SHE HAS HAD THE VEHICLE SHE COULD NOT USE THE ALARM SYSTEM BECAUSE IT WORE OUT THE BATTERY. THERE WAS VIBRATION IN THE CAR SOMETIMES IT WOULD NOT START. THESE PROBLEMS OCCURRED EVEN THE FIRST WEEK AFTER SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10127086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. SHE STATED THAT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. SHE PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, AND WHEN SHE DONE THIS IT EXPLODED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. EVERYTHING GOT JAMMED UP AFTER THIS, EVEN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER STATED THAT HE HAD A HARD TIME TOWING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO FORD DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THAT THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10127092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Altoona, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SEAT BELTS FAILED (CAME OFF TRACK) HEATER WIRING FAILED
NHTSA complaint #10124124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Finleyville, PWFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE STANDING IDLE FOR MORE THAN THREE HOURS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, WITH THE DASHBOARD AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT FULLY ENGULFED. ALTHOUGH EXACT CAUSE OF MALFUNCTION HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED, THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER HAVE JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10118543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Finleyville, PWFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE STANDING IDLE FOR MORE THAN THREE HOURS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, WITH THE DASHBOARD AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT FULLY ENGULFED. ALTHOUGH EXACT CAUSE OF MALFUNCTION HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED, THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER HAVE JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10118543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED 5 TIMES ON MY CAR. I'M A SINGLE MOM AND ON LIMITED INCOME AND HAVE HAD TO GO WITHOUT CAR MONTHS AT A TIME. I HAVE TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED FOR AROUND $150 EACH TIME PLUS TOWING. I HAVE NOT KEPT THE OLD PARTS BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW I NEEDED TO. ON THIS SAME CAR THE TIMING BELT HAS GONE OUT TWICE SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT, FOR THREE YEARS NOW. IS THIS DUE TO THE CAR OR IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WHEN REPAIRED?
NHTSA complaint #10116045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parks, AZFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH HEARD A PUFF, LOOKED DOWN, AND SAW A FLAM COMING OUT FROM UNDER VEHICLE. HE GOT OUT, AND STARTED TO PULL AS MUCH AS HE COULD OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN HIS FRIEND CAME ALONG, WHO WAS DRIVING A WATER TRUCK, AND THEY TOGETHER PUT THE FLAMES OUT. CONSUMER HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE HE WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER.
NHTSA complaint #10042493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesMilwaukee, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I CANNOT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE IN MY 1995 FORD ESCORT STATION WAGON. THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN EVEN THOUGH THE IGNITION IS TURNED TO OFF AND THE KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED. THERE HAVE BEEN 4 IGNITION SWITCHES INSTALLED IN THIS CAR, BUT THE LOCKSMITH DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH IS THE PROBLEM. HE BELIEVES THAT SOMETHING IS NOT WORKING IN THE COMPUTER THAT TELLS THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS CAR WAS TO REMOVE THE BATTERY CABLE AND THEN REMOVE THE SPARK PLUG, WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DO WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING.
NHTSA complaint #10000713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milford, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE KEY WAS PUT INTO THE IGNITION BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, THE IGNITION REMAINED LOCKED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #767133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Louis, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE PARKED VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. HAD TO CONTACT DEALER. PLEASE ADD VIN.
NHTSA complaint #8004933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murtle Beach, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHEN PUTTING KEY INSIDE OF IGNITION SWITCH KEY GOES ALL THE WAY AROUND THE CYLINDER. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #6900588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hubert, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SLOWLY DIED FIRST THE RADIO SHUT OFF THEN THE WIPERS STOPPED, LIGHTS SHUT OFF THEN THE CAR STOPPED COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED ON ABOUT 8 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHILE I HAD MY 2 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND HAD OVER $1,200 PUT INTO IT IN THE LAST YEAR AND THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED. THE MECHANIC AT FORD TOLD ME IF I WANTED THE CAR TO BE SAFE I'D BE BETTER OFF GETTING A NEW CAR. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THE CAR HAD BEEN WRECKED BEFORE I PURCHASED IT BUT I WAS NEVER TOLD THAT BY THE DEARLERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY WITHOUT RUNNING AND THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION AND THE FOUR WAYS WILL START FLASHING AS WELL AS IT HAPPENS AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. FORD TOLD ME THE LAST TIME IT WAS THERE TO BE FIXED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS COLLAPSED BUT WHEN I HAD ANOTHER MECHANIC GO TO CHANGE THE STEERING COLUMN HE FOUND THAT IT WASN'T COLLAPSED AND THAT FORD HAD LEFT OUT 5 BOLTS THAT HELD IT IN AND IT WAS ONLY IN THERE WITH 2 BOLTS WHICH WERE NOT TIGHTENED AND COULD BE TURNED BY HAND WHICH WAS CAUSING THE COLUMN TO ABLE TO BE PULLED OUT TOWARDS THE DRIVER BY ABOUT 3 INCHES AND THEN PUSHED BACK INTO PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #754372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WE PLEASE SEND ME TWO SIGNATURE CARDS FOR BOTH VEHICLES JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR ARE DAUGHTER ON 7/01/01 WHAT WAS FUNNY IS THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD WHEN WE GOT IT THEN 9 DAY'S LATER THE RAIDIATOR SATRTED TO LEAK THE SAME PLACE MY 92 TAURUS WAS LEAKING FROM THE DRIVE SIDE SEAL OF THE RAIDIATOR SO I CALLED FORD AND I WANTED TO KNOW WHY THERE MAKING PARTS THAT ARE FAILING IN NOT ONE CAR MADE BUT TWO DIFFERENT CAR'S AND I ALSO WAS TOLD BUT VARIOUS MECHANICS THAT FORD KNOWS OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH BOTH THE TAURUS AND ESCORT BUT WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM WHY WOULD TWO DIFFERENT CARS FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS FORD KNOWS THE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE AROUND THE US HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE 3 MAIN THINGS TRANSMISSION RAIDAITOR AND EGNITION SWITCHS SO WHY ARE YOU NOT LOOKING IN TO THIS CONSUMER FRAUD I'LL BE GLAD TO FILE A CIVIL SUIT AGAINST FORD IF NEED BE AS THEY ARE SCREWING THE PUBLIC.
NHTSA complaint #748700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT Hood, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45PH ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE . VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT ENGINE BLEW A ROD/THERE WAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AND IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #879785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT Hood, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45PH ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE . VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT ENGINE BLEW A ROD/THERE WAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AND IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #879785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Turlock, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WENT TO START VEHICLE AND IT TURNED OVER ONCE. BUT, KEY WAS PUT IN OFF POSITION AND VEHICLE STARTED, BUT STARTER CONTINUED TO ROTATE. BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED TO TURN VEHICLE OFF. CONSUMER DID SEE SMOKE.
NHTSA complaint #876969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, INFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER HAS REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH 3 TIMES WITHIN 5 YEARS. VEHICLE HAS CAUGHT ON FIRE ONCE FROM IGNITION, THE DAY AFTER THE STARTER HAD BEEN REPLACED. STARTER, STARTER SOLENOID, IGNITION SWITCH(WHICH HAD MELTED TO THE SWITCH), AND O2 SENSOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN TRYING TO START VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE BEING COLD, IT WOULD CRANK SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NEVER START UNTIL TURNING KEY OFF AND BACK ON. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE LIGHT BECOMING ILLUMINATED, DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER THE ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES ON OCCASIONALLY. PCV VALVE WAS ALSO REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #874918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, INFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER HAS REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH 3 TIMES WITHIN 5 YEARS. VEHICLE HAS CAUGHT ON FIRE ONCE FROM IGNITION, THE DAY AFTER THE STARTER HAD BEEN REPLACED. STARTER, STARTER SOLENOID, IGNITION SWITCH(WHICH HAD MELTED TO THE SWITCH), AND O2 SENSOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN TRYING TO START VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE BEING COLD, IT WOULD CRANK SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NEVER START UNTIL TURNING KEY OFF AND BACK ON. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE LIGHT BECOMING ILLUMINATED, DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER THE ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES ON OCCASIONALLY. PCV VALVE WAS ALSO REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #874918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Rapids, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPING VEHICLE STALLED. TOOK TO DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED SPARK PLUG AND GASKET. BUT VEHICLE VEHICLE STILL NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #874696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Rapids, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPING VEHICLE STALLED. TOOK TO DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED SPARK PLUG AND GASKET. BUT VEHICLE VEHICLE STILL NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #874696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN !995, AND FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM. DURING THE PERIOD OF 6/3/97 THRU 6/17/97 ALONE, THE PROBLEM OCCURED 5 TIMES. BERGE FORD HAS REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM EACH AND EVERY YEAR THAT I HAVE OWNED IT. I AM NOT COMPLETELY SURE WHAT CAUSES THIS PROBLEM BUT THE SAME COMPONENTS ARE INVOLVED EACH TIME. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE RELAYS TO BURN OUT INITIALLY, OR THE WIREING HARNESS TO SUFFER DAMAGE AND THESE FAILURES CAUSE THE COOLING FAN TO EITHER BECOME INOPERATIVE OR BURN OUT AS WELL. I HAVE SERVICE RECORDS (SO FAR) FOR 15 SUCH REPAIRS SINCE 1995. THEY CONTINUE TO THIS DAY. THIS YEAR I HAVE ONCE AGAIN HAD TWO FAILURES, AND THE ONE THAT CAUSES ME TO CONTACT YOU HAPPENED ON 8/17/2000. THIS ONE WAS NOT A COMPLETE FAILURE BUT WAS AN INTERMITENT COOLING PROBLEM AND I WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE DEALER SO I DROVE IN. THEY ACCEPTED THE VEHICLE AS USUAL, AND MY ADVISOR AGREED TO COVER THE REPAIR AT NO CHARGE AND PROVIDE ME A RENTAL CAR AS THEY HAVE DONE COUNTLESS TIMES IN THE PAST.. ONLY THIS TIME MY SERVICE ADVISOR MENTIONED THAT FORD HAD A "NEW" BOSCH RELAY AND WIRE SYSTEM WHICH HE CLAIMED WOULD SOLVE MY PROBLEM. OF COURSE I WAS INTERESTED, ALL I EVER WANTED WAS FOR THEM TO KEEP THEIR ORIGINAL PROMISE OF "REPAIRING IT RIGHT THIS TIME". THE DIFFERENCE ON THIS OCCASION WAS THAT NOW THAT THEY HAD THE "RIGHT" PARTS TO REPAIR THE CAR ONCE AND FOR ALL, AND THESE PARTS WOULD COST ME OVER $400.00 I TRULY FEEL THAT THIS IS COMPLETELY UNFAIR AS THE COST OF REPAIR HAS BEEN COVERED FOR THE MOST PART FOR OVER SIX YEARS WITH PARTS WHICH CONTINUE TO FAIL OVER AND OVER. AND NOW THAT THEY HAVE THE CORRECT PARTS, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO COVER THEM. I HOPE THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO ASSIST ME AND OTHERS WHO MAY HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IF NOT, CAN YOU GIVE ME ANY ADVISE AS TO WHAT MY RIGHTS ARE IN THIS MATTER. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #729247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palos Hills, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE PULLEY: CRANKSHAFT FELL OFF, AND THERE WERE SPARKS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #843957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Halifax NS Canada B3T1P1, ME
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ELECTRICAL HARNESS AT REAR LIFT GATE FAILED, WIRES CRACKED AND ARCING TOGETHER. REAR BRAKE LIGHT WOULD STAY ILLUMINATED WHEN PARKED OR MOVING WITHOUT BRAKE PEDAL INTERACTION. POSSIBLE SAFETY HAZARD AS REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT WHEN BRAKES ACTUALLY APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #707759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesquite, TXFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ON 05/19/99, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD AS WELL AS THE SEATBELTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING AT ALL.THERE WERE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS TO WARN OF A PROBLEM OTHER THAN A POSSIBLE FUSE BURN OUT. LESS THAN 24 HOURS LATER, THE VEHICLE BURNED.THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A 2 CAR GARAGE.THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BURNED ALONG WITH THE GARAGE IN WHICH IT WAS HOUSED.THE VEHICLE PARKED NEXT TO IT HAD SEVERE SMOKE DAMAGE.ALL OCCUPANTS OF THE HOME WERE ASLEEP AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #706732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lyndonville, VT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CONTINUED AND IIGNORED SAFETY ISSUE BY FORD...PLEASE FIX AND NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #706596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #543697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELY, NV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #543372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walkertown, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
DUE TO DEFECTIVE COMUTER COMMAND CENTER, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO GO, AND THEN IT WOULD STALL AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #833248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BOX Elder, SD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
GROUNDED SENSOR WIRE AT IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #605795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.