46 of the
729 complaints about the 1997 Ford Escort are about the
braking system — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
73,000 miles.
THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS CAR. IT WAS NOT VERY DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT OF A BRAKE LINE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. THE LOCATION OF THE BRAKE LINE FAILURE IS WHERE THE LINE IS FASTENED TO THE BODY WHEN THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS DEFECT MAY EXIST ON MANY OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE, THAT IS WHY I AM REPORTING IT TO YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10538195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesRice Lake, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ESCORT. WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END BALL JOINTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, DRUMS, AND FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER HAVE BOTH BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, BUT SHE DOES NOT TRUST THAT THE SPEEDOMETER IS CURRENTLY WORKING PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 06-03/08. *LJ THE TIE ROD END, REAR SPRING, WINDSHIELD, UPPER BALL JOINT, ODOMETER KNOB, REAL PASSENGER SEAL WERE ALL REPLACED. UPDATED 05/30/08
NHTSA complaint #10226312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Bend, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1997 FORD ESCORT HAD REAR SPRINGS PROBLEMS. **CC BOTH REAR SPRINGS ON THE VEHICLE BROKE. THE BREAKS WERE IDENTICAL, THE LOWER COILS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND INDICATED THAT THEY SHOWED LACK OF INTEREST.
NHTSA complaint #10184785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesUkiah, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION AXLE SLIPPAGE AND DEFECTIVE BRAKE PROBLEMS. VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN ACCELERATING. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC.
NHTSA complaint #10074160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesGreensburg, PACrash
PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE
BRAKES FAILED. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC SAID THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DRIVELINE.
NHTSA complaint #10040773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Niagara Falls, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
I PURCHASED A NEW 1997 FORD ESCORT IN SEPTEMBER 1996. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WAS LOSING BRAKE FLUID. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE FITTING WAS MISSING SOME THREADS. DEALER FIXED PROBLEM. THIS PAST JANUARY I GOT A LETTER FROM FORD ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG MONITOR/SENSOR PROBLEM AND HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THAT PROBLEM CORRECTED. NOW THE CAR HAS A SLOW COOLANT LEAK. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING. THE CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 62,850 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED. IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $800.00 - $1000.00 TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. I FEEL THIS HEAD GASKET FAILURE IS PREMATURE AND FORD SHOULD PAY FOR IT. THIS WAS THE FIRST FORD VEHICLE I EVER PURCHASED AND IT WILL PROBABLY BE THE LAST. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THEY CANNOT PUT A $14,000 CAR TOGETHER CORRECTLY AND ASSURE ITS QUALITY TO LAST. I LOOKED AT SOME OF THE SERVICE BULLETINS AND PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE REGARDING THE 1997 FORD ESCORT AND THEY ARE DISTRESSING TO SAY THE LEAST. MY NEXT VEHICLE WILL BE A GM PRODUCT.
NHTSA complaint #10037367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norfolk, VAFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER REQUESTING RESTITUTION FOR A HOUSE FIRE THAT WAS CAUSED BY A VEHICLE FIRE.*MR *TS. PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BRAKES SQUEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10029630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Avon Park, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #10009502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE APPYING BRAKES VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. A BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON PANEL. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8015160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
WHILE APPYING BRAKES VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. A BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON PANEL. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8015160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Gatos, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
FORD BRAKE ENGINEERS DESIGNED TO BRAKE EFFORT PROPORTIONING THE MASTER CYLINDER TO ALLOCATE 85-90% OF THE BRAKING TO THE FRONT WHEELS AND ONLY 10 TO 15%TO THE REAR WHEELS. THIS PROPORTION IS INCORRECT AND RESULTS IN THE INABILITY TO STOP THE CAR UNDER EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATIONS. IT IS NOT POSSIBLY TO LOCKUP THE REAR WHEELS EVEN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THE FRONT WHEEL BREAK TRACTION ON SLIPERY SURFACES THE CAR LOOSES ITS ABILITY TO STOP IN A REASONABLE LENGTH. THIS MISS ALLOCATION OF BRAKING EFFORT RESULTED IN A NEAR REAR END ACCIDENT IN 1997 AND RESULTED RECENTLY IN TOTALLING THE VEHICLE THIS APRIL. THIS BRAKING SYSTEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO TO CORRECT THE EMBALANCE OF THE BRAKING ACTION. I TRIED TO BRING THIS DESIGN PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN 1995 BUT IT FELL ON DEAF EARS. THIS IS A REAL DANGEROUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED.
NHTSA complaint #762033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holden, LACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING 20MPH THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. BRAKE SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #8004407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado Springs, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
USUALLY AFTER GETTING THE BRAKES SERVICED BRAKES WILL MAKE A REAL LOUSD NOISE WHNE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #899054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKE PADS WERE WEARING OUT QUICKER THEN NORMALLY. THERE WERE ALSO CLIPS THAT HAVE BROKEN BECAUSE CONSUMER HAS HAD ROTORS CHANGED, AND PADS CHANGED SOON AFTER VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT. HAS CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #893121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Evansville, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE SHOES AND ROTORS 4 -5 TIMES. DEALER SAID IT WAS DUE TO DISC BRAKE CALIPERS CAUSING ROTORS TO WARP. PLEASE ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #889956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockymount, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSES FURTHER DOWN THAN ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH CAUSES ONE FOOT TO HIT BOTH PEDALS.
NHTSA complaint #877162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beacon, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS
TWO BROKEN REAR SPRING AND A RIGHT SIDE OUTER TIE ROD END, IN ADDITION TO FRONT BRAKE PADS, POSSIBLE SPRINGS WERE OF POOR QUALITY
NHTSA complaint #9001506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kissimmee, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
WITHIN 4 MTHS HAD PROBLEM W/ TRANSMISSION, TOOK 4 MINS FOR DEALER TO SAY THERES NOTHING WRONG, WHEN I GOT MY NEW TIRES FOR PEPBOYS I HAD TO FIX MY BRAKES, TRANSMISSION,SUSPENSION, EVEN GOT SPEED TICKETS FOR NO REASON,I KEEP MY CAR IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND I STILL HAVE MY ENGINE LIGHT ON AND I HAVE ABOUT 70% OF THE SAME PROBLEMS OTHERS HAVE IN THE NHTSACMPLT SECTION. I THINK THE ESCORT SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR SO MANY UNSAFE PROBLEMS.( DOT NUMBER: UJ956KLP12 TIRE SIZE: P19570R14 )
NHTSA complaint #729526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marlboroug, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE SYSTEM EXPERIENCES CONTINUED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. MJS
NHTSA complaint #548403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bakersfield, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #609523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Providence, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED VEHICLE MAKES A POPPING NOISE. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED VARIOUS PARTS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #844895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sterling Heights, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED IT HAS TO BE PUMPED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE BRAKES RESPOND. ALSO, THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. IT CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #844045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grover CIT, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE SHOE PIN FAILED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #606933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beckley, WVCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A LIGHT CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND THEY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO REAR END VEHICLE IN FRONT. CONSUMER HAD JUST HAD THE ROTORS TURNED AND FRONT BRAKES REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #836626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beckley, WVCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A LIGHT CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND THEY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO REAR END VEHICLE IN FRONT. CONSUMER HAD JUST HAD THE ROTORS TURNED AND FRONT BRAKES REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #836626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN BRAKING AND TURNING A CORNER. DEALER CONTACTED AND RAN OASIS, FOUND NO REPAIR FOR THE VEHICLE AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #829423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES; WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN A SUDDEN STOP, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #824869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Costa Mesa, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES A POPPING/GRINDING SOUND OCCURS, AN VEHICLE TAKES A LONGER TIME TO STOP. OWNER'S DAUGHTER WAS IN VEHICLE CRASH DUE TO LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. *AK`
NHTSA complaint #833797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albert LEA, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE OWNERS FOOT HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND RAN INTO A TREE. OWNER SAYS THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. *AK
NHTSA complaint #832177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakewood, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE CAR THAT I HAD PURCHASED HAS NOT LIVED UP TO IT'S EXPECTATIONS SINCE I PURCHASED IT. SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR, I PURCHASED IT IN SEPT. OF 1998, THE BRAKES HAVE COMPLETELY GONE OUT, THE EMERGENCY LIGHT COMES ON CONSTANTLY EVEN THOUGHT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS NOT ON. WHEN PURCHASING THE CAR, I HAD EXPLAINED TO THE CAR DEALER THE I, BEING OF ONLY 19 YRS OF AGE AND THIS BEING MY FIRST BIG PURCHASE I COULD NOT AFFORD TO BUY A CAR THEN END UP HAVING TO PUT TONS OF MONEY INTO IT. I AM VERY UPSET AT THE FACT THAT I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ONLY A SHORT WHILE, THE WARRANTY HAS PASSED (HOW CONVEINIENT) AND I REFUSE TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR A FAULTY SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #700916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.