1997 Ford Escort suspension problems

SUSPENSION

NOISE THAT COULD NOT BE LOCATED IN REAR. REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKE .

NHTSA complaint #10280907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

NOISE THAT COULD NOT BE LOCATED IN REAR. REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKE .

NHTSA complaint #10280907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

I TOOK MY ESCORT IN FOR AN INSPECTION AND THE REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN AGAIN THE FIRST TIME THEY BROKE THE DEALER REPLACED THEM AND SAID HE THOUGHT A RECALL WOULD BE ISSUED BECAUSE FORD NEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THEM NOW ONCE AGAIN THEY ARE BROKEN AND THERE IS STILL NO RECALL IF SOMEONE KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THEM WHY AREN'T THEY CORRECTING THE PROBLEM AND DO WE THE CONSUMERS HAVE TO KEEP SHELLING OUT OUR HARD EARNED MONEY FOR REPAIRS. THIS CAR IS A 1997 FORD ESCORT AND REAR SPRINGS WERE REPLACED TWICE JUST NOT FAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10241830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

1997FORD ESCORT WAGON. HAVING HAD THIS CAR FOR EIGHT YEARS, WHERE I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE REARS SPRING ONCE, I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF SCHEDULING TO REPLACE THE REAR SPRINGS A SECOND TIME TO THE AMOUNT OF $700.00. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND FROM MECHANICS AND FROM THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A 'COMMON PROBLEM" WITH FORD. SINCE THIS HAS HAPPEN A SECOND TIME, FOR ME I FEEL I SHOULD GET SOME FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM FORD FOR THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE SUSPENSION. THIS SUSPENSION PROBLEM SHOULD BE A RECALL FROM FORD.

NHTSA complaint #10233976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

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.

SUSPENSION

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.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS

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.

SUSPENSION:REAR

1997 FORD ESCORT FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO A LEAK IN THE RIGHT REAR SPRING COILS.*MR

NHTSA complaint #10132352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS

VEHICLE BEING SERVICED AND TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN IN THE SAME LOCATION. NO INDICATION FROM DRIVE OF VEHICLE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD BY TECHNICIAN THAT SPRING COULD COME INTO CONTACT WITH TIRE THUS CAUSING A BLOW-OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10122449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS

DT: A PROBLEM WITH SPRINGS. A BROKEN REAR SPRING; THEY FIXED IT, AND INSTALLED NEW SPRINGS. CONSUMER LATER FOUND OUT FROM OTHER PEOPLE THAT THEY WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. RECEIVED A RECALL ON THE FRONT SPRINGS; BUT HE WAS HAVING A REAR SPRING PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10121864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS

WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK THIS IS THE CONSUMER'S THIRD FORD ESCORT WITH BROKE REAR SPRINGS (1991, 1993 AND 1997).

NHTSA complaint #10108939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS

REAR SUSPENSION SPRING FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10100999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS

REPLACEMENT OF REAR SPRINGS ON 1997 FORD ESCORT.*MR THE CONSUMER WANTED AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY HER 2000 FORD TAURUS WAS RECALLED BUT NOT HER 1997 FOR ESCORT.

NHTSA complaint #10091683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING , THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIE ROD AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *JB CONSUMER FEELS THAT SHE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE'S REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE AT 16219 MILES. THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AT 16279 MILES AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED CAUSING NOISE. *BF

NHTSA complaint #10092438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

BOTH BACK REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. MY CAR HAS NEVER TOWED ANYTHING, AND THERE WAS NEVER ANY EXCESSIVE WEIGHT IN THE BACK SEAT. WHY WOULD THESE BREAK? THIS HAS WAY TO LITTLE MILEAGE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. FORD IS RECALLING TAURUS AND VOYAGERS....WHAT ABOUT ESCORT. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX] (NIGHT) OR [XXX] EXT [XXX] (DAYTIME). I WOULD HOPE THAT FORD WOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM AND START RECALLING THE FORD ESCORTS. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10071316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED, AS IS. HOWEVER, THE OWNER WAS TOLD THAT IF THERE WERE ANY SAFETY FEATURES THAT WERE EFFECTED, THE DEALERSHIP WOULD REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PAY FOR TOWING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THEIR LOT. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #10055790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

1997 FORD ESCORT SW REAR SPRING BREAKAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10054453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

TOOK CAR (1997 FORD ESCORT) TO SHOP FOR ROUTINE STATE INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED TO PASS INSPECTION. I WAS VERY SURPRISED SINCE THE CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN VERY CONSERVATIVELY. MECHANIC STATED THAT PREMATURE FAILURE OF REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCORTS. REQUEST GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO MAKE FORD CO. REIMBURSE CONSUMER EXPENSE CAUSED BY FAULTY COIL SPRINGS.

NHTSA complaint #10054463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS

1997 FORD ESCORT HAD BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKEN AT THE SAME PLACE. HAD THEM REPLACED BY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THEY SHOULD HAVE NEVER BROKEN. I WANT FORD TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS AND REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR. IF 1 SPRING WAS BROKEN THEN I COULD SEE IT BEING POSSIBLE, BUT BOTH AT THE SAME PLACE???? THEY WERE MANUFACTURED POORLY.

NHTSA complaint #10051214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

1997 FORD ESCORT REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN AFTER 60K MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10037349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS

IT WAS FOUND DURING AN INSPECTION THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. *AK *PH

NHTSA complaint #10034227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

WE HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE REAR END. TOOK TO THE MECHANIC AND THE REAR SPRINGS ARE COMPLETELY SHATTERED.

NHTSA complaint #10028953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

REAR SPRINGS ON MY ESCORT I BELIEVE TO BE CHEAPLY MADE. BOTH HAVE BUSTED. I HAVE FOUND THAT MY ESCORT IS NOT THE ONLY ONE. THERE ARE MANY OTHER ESCORTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10025385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

I HAD TAKEN MY 1997 FORD ESCORT IN FOR ITS ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION, WHERE MY REAR SPRINGS WERE REPLACED AT MY COST. THE MECHANIC WORKING ON MY CAR HAD FOUND THAT BOTH OF THE ORIGINAL FACTORY REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN DIRECTLY BELOW THEIR PLASTIC COVERING ABOUT ONE-FIFTH FROM THE TOP OF THE SPRING. HE HAD SAID THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL ESCORTS THAT HE HAD WORKED ON THAT HAD THE SAME BREAKAGE AT THE SAME SECTION OF EACH OF THE REAR SPRINGS. HE HAD ADVISED ME TO CHECK TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS POSTED ON THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ALSO TOLD TO BUY A NEW SET OF REAR TIRES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AS MY PRESENT ONES HAVE IRREGULAR WEAR. *JB I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS OR WILL BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10023711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

I BOUGHT A 1997 FORD ESCORT WAGON NEW AND LOVE IT AND HAS ONLY 30000 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY I HAD A PROBLEM WITH STEERING THE VEHICLE SO I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME I NEEDED NEW TIE ROD ENDS AND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. AS I DO NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE HARD AND DO NOT HAUL ANYTHING EXCEPT MY PUPPY AND GROCERIES, I HAD A HARD TIME BELIEVING THIS. SO I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER GARAGE AND ANOTHER MECHANIC TOLD ME THE SAME THING AND SHOWED IT TO ME. I AM NO LONGER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS UNSAFE AND THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE PLACED ON A RECALL LIST AND FIXED BY FORD FREE OF CHARGE. NEITHER ME OR MY HUSBAND HAVE EVER HAD THIS HAPPEN AND WE FEEL THAT DEFINITELY THIS HAS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE SO THAT I CAN KNOW WHICH DIRECTION TO PURSUE THIS MATTER, A.E., NEWSPAPERS, TV STATIONS, ETC. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10019069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS

REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE CRACKED - BOTH SIDES. VEHICLE ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. USED IN PRIMARILY IN CITY, RUNNING ERRANDS - FOR RETIRED COUPLE. ALSO: LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END IS WORN OUT AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAUSES A VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND ALSO RATTLES WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS (<1") AT LOW SPEEDS (<10 MPH).

NHTSA complaint #10018833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS

THE REAR SUSPENSION IN MY CAR IS ALL OUT OF WHACK. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE REAR SPRINGS. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS LIKE WITH REAR SUSPENSION IN THESE CARS. I DRIVE AN ESCORT WAGON. I DON'T GO OFF ROADING SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE REAR SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. SEEMS LIKE THIS COULD BE AN ISSUE OF A FAULTY PART OR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. WHEN I HAVE PEOPLE IN THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR THE HANDLING IS AWFUL AND I HAVE TO GO REALLY SLOW OVER ANY SORT OF BUMP BECAUSE THE CAR WILL BOTTOM OUT! JUST THOUGHT OTHERS MAY BE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10018804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

BOTH REAR SPRINGS FOUND BROKEN AT STATE INSPECTION. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND IT IS THE FIRST THING THAT THE INSPECTORS LOOK AT BECAUSE OF THIS. EVIDENTLY VERY WELL KNOWN IN THE TRADE. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT. EVIDENTLY THIS OCCURRED "QUITE AWHILE AGO". I NOW HAVE TO SPEND $250.00 TO FIX IT. IF THIS IS THAT COMMON WHY HAS FORD EVIDENTLY CHOSEN TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM? *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10013727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS

BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE WIRING RECALL AND I TOLD THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS SPARK KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE WHEN IT FIRST STARTS AND UNDER HARD ACCELERATION. WHEN I DRIVE INTO MY PARENTS DRIVE WAY MY PARENTS TELL ME THAT THEY KNOW I AM THERE BECAUSE OF THE RADIO INTERFERENCE ON THE TV SCREEN. I KNOW A LOT ABOUT ELECTRICITY AND I KNOW THAT THIS IS CAUSED BY NOISE AND OR SHORTS, BAD CONNECTIONS WHAT HAVE YOU. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THE CAR HAS RESISTOR PLUGS. WE HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE COMPUTER ONCE AND NOW THIS RECALL THING! WE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR SPRINGS. WHEN ITS REALLY COLD OUT AND GO TO START THE CAR THE STARTER DOES NOT DISENGAGE AND GRINDS ON THE FLY WHEEL. IT TAKES FOREVER FOR IT TO WARM UP AND IT DOES NOT RARELY EVER WARM UP WHEN ITS IDLING YOU HAVE TO DRIVE IT TO GET ANY HEAT. BUT OVERALL ITS ONLY LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED ONCE. THAT'S BETTER THAN OUR LAST VEHICLE!! BUT NOW I WONDER IF THIS CAR IS A TICKING TIME BOMB WAITING TO HAPPEN. FORD MAY NOT BE MY NEXT CHOICE OF VEHICLE IN THE FUTURE THAT IS IF IT DOESN'T KILL ME FIRST!

NHTSA complaint #10010095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS

I TOOK MY CAR INTO MY DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE STATE INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS VERY SHOCKED SINCE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN USED TO HAUL ANYTHING MORE THAN GROCERIES. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY CHECK FOR IT. I REPORTED THIS TO FORD MOTORS AND WAS FOR THE MOST PART TOLD "SORRY BUT NOT OUR PROBLEM". IT APPEARS FROM THE VARIOUS DEALERS AND FORD MOTORS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT THEY PLAN TO DO NOTHING ABOUT UNLESS FORCED TO BY PEOPLE BEING KILLED OR INJURED. IF THEY CANNOT OWN UP TO POOR WORKMANSHIP, THEN I WILL BE BUYING MY VEHICLES ELSEWHERE.

NHTSA complaint #10007992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.