36 of the
729 complaints about the 1997 Ford Escort are about the
glass, mirrors and wipers — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
100,000 miles.
F
36
Complaints
0
Crashes
12
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Heater Core
2466.7%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
513.9%
Windshield
25.6%
Glass, Side/Rear
25.6%
Windshield Wiper/Washer
12.8%
Power Window Devices AND Controls
12.8%
Motor
12.8%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Ford Escort year
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.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE, NHTSA # 02V323000, CONCERNING THE AIR BAG SENSOR. HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE WINDOWS FOGGING UP AND OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. WHILE INSIDE LOOKING AT THE GAUGES THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THIS PINNED THE TECHNICIAN BETWEEN THE SEAT AND STEERING WHEEL. THE DEPLOYMENT CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. UPON INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM INDICATED IN THE RECALL. THERE WAS WATER ACCUMULATED IN THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR. *NM UPDATED 3/1/2006 - THE CONSUMER STILL HAS THE DEFECTIVE PARTS IN HER POSSESSION.
NHTSA complaint #10147714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEATER CORE RUPTURED, WHICH CAUSED WATER TO GET INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK UPODATED11/29/05.
NHTSA complaint #10141777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS PERTAINING TO A 1997 FORD ESCORT, VIN [XXX] 1. MY HEATER CORE DEVELOPED A LEAK 2. I HAD THE HEATER CORE REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP--IN THE SERVICE TICKET THEY NOTED "AIR BAG LIGHT WILL BE ON. COOLANT DAMAGED AIR BAG MONITOR WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED" (PRIOR TO THIS, THE AIR BAG MONITOR APPEARED TO BE WORKING--I.E. THE DASH LIGHT SHOWED NORMAL OPERATION.) SINCE THEY HAD ALREADY PUT THE DASH BACK ON AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $800 TO TAKE IT BACK OFF AND REPLACE THE MONITOR, I WAITED UNTIL I HAD BOTH THE MONEY AND TIME. 3. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (02S44): THIS WAS TO HAVE A SHIELD PLACED OVER THE AIR BAG MONITOR TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS. 4. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FACT THAT THE DAMAGE HAD ALREADY OCCURRED BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL ONLY COVERED PUTTING IN A SHIELD AND NOT THE REPAIR OF THE DAMAGE. 5. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ASKING THEM TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE RECALL AT NO COST TO ME BUT I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WILL ONLY INSTALL A SHIELD TO PREVENT FUTURE DAMAGE. (THAT SEEMS TO ME LIKE CLOSING THE BARN DOOR AFTER THE ANIMALS HAVE LEFT). *NM UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10130599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AND STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN AIR BAG DEPLOYED. VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE, AND THE HEATER COIL WENT OUT. THERE WAS ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE AIR BAG BUSTED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP THE CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #10099427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 02544 CONCERNING HEATER CORE FAILURE. HEATER CORE FLUID DRIPPED ON THE AIR BAG MODULE, CAUSING A SHORT. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ONCE, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10061290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEATER CORE LEAKED ONTO THE AIRBAG MONITOR WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE AND SHORT CIRCUITED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10033955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,239 milesPahrump, NV
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
CONSUMER HAD RECALL 02V323000 REMEDIED IN 03/03. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE CONSUMER WAS VERY CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY. *AK THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON FOR TWO DAYS. THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS IT HAD COME BACK ON. *SCC THE POWER WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10022776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE IN 1999 THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED FOUR DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES. THE FIRST FAILURE IN 04/01 RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE AIRBAG MODULE DUE TO LEAKAGE FROM THE HEATER CORE. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE WAS IN 10/02. NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroe, LA
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
THE REAR WINDOW ON MY 1997 FORD ESCORT SHATTERED WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER THE CARPORT. THE WINDOW EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30 P.M. CDT. THERE WAS NO PRIOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE WINDOW. THERE WAS NO VANDALISM INVOLVED, MONROE POLICE DEPT. WAS CALLED AND THEY FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF A CRIMINAL ACT. ON OBSERVING THE WINDOW, THE OFFICERS COMMENTED THAT THE WINDOW SHATTERED FROM THE INSIDE. THERE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A STRUCTURAL DEFECT IN THE WINDOW. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10014488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON THE 1997 FORD ESCORT THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE IS INSTALLED DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE HEATER CORE. ON MY CAR THE HEATER CORE DEVELOPED A LEAK AND ANTIFREEZE FLOWED OVER THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE AND THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSOCIATED WITH IT. THIS RESULTED IN BURNT INSULATION ON THE WIRING FOR THE AIRBAG CONTROL AND BLOWING THE ASSOCIATED FUSE. IT CAME VERY CLOSE TO CAUSING A FIRE. THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THAT YOU DO NOT GET INDICATIONS OF AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK UNTIL IT IS TO LATE AND THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS NO LONGER USABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10008070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE HEATER CORE SPRUNG A LEAK. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITHIN 15 MONTHS. I CAUGHT THE PROBLEM BEFORE ANY DAMAGE OCCURED. THE FIRST TIME THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE AIR BAG AND PCM MODULES WERE DAMAGED BY THE HEATER CORE LEAK. THERE ALSO WAS A FIRE FROM THE PCM AND AIR BAG MODULE. THIS DAMAGE COST $1500. THE DEALER WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 3 MONTHS. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY CARS THAT ARE EXPIERENCING THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10003060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Paul, MN
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A VERY FINE MIST COMING FROM THE VENT AND THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN BLOWER MOTOR WAS ON, THE DEALER REPLACED MOTOR ASSEMBLY FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER.
NHTSA complaint #567157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Paul, MN
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A FINE MIST COMING OUT OF RIGHT CLIMATE VENT, DEVELOPING FILM ON OUTSIDE OF WINDSHIELD, POSSIBLE HEATER CORE, A/C LEAK OR A/C CONDENSTATION. ALSO GETTING A NOISE WHEN BLOWER MOTOR IS RUNNING. HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR, AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER RESISTOR, AND BLOWER MOTOR WIRING HARNESS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM DISODORIZED.
NHTSA complaint #567461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEATER CORE IS LEAKING CAUSING FLUID TO GET INTO AIR BAG SENSOR AND AS A RESULT THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES OFF/ON, THE ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER, SOME ELECTRICAL WIRE WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THE CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE.*AK *NLM
NHTSA complaint #8018817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THERE'S A LEAK FROM THE HEATER CORE TO THE AIR-BAG MONITOR (AND OTHER PLACES) WHICH HAS CAUSED THE AIR-BAG WARNING LIGHT TO LIGHT UP, AND COOLANT TO BE EMITTED THROUGH THE REAR-PASSENGER AIR VENT ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR. THERE ARE MANY PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS ABOUT THE SAME THING, YET NO RECALL, SO HOPEFULLY ADDING MY COMPLAINT WILL HELP. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG MONITOR AND THE HEATER CORE, BUT SOMEBODY COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT BECAUSE THIS LEAK COULD CAUSE (AND HAS CAUSED WITH OTHERS) FIRE AND/OR UNEXPECTED AIR-BAG DEPLOYMENT RESULTING IN CRASH AND/OR OTHER PROBLEMS. FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS ITEM AND HAVE IT FIXED!!!
NHTSA complaint #766707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FIRE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, FIRE MAY HAVE STARTED IN IGNITION SWITCH, CONSUMER FEELS THE FIRE MAY HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO A PRIOR COLLISION, HEATER CORE LEAKING INTO THE ECS MODULE, CAUSING A SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS, CLAIM 40-2188-822. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #6900497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER LEFT VEHICLE AT REPAIR SHOP TO DETERMINE WHY A LIGHT IN THE DASH WAS ILLUMINATING, DEALER STATED THAT THE HEATER CORE HAD A HOLE IN IT, CONSUMER SAW THAT VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE DASH AND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS BURNED, CLAIM 24-5124-338. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #6900500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRE, IT APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED AT THE IGNITION SWITCH, CONSUMER SUSPECTS THE FIRE WAS DUE TO A PRIOR COLLISION, HOWEVER AN INSPECTOR STATED THE HEATER CORE WAS LEAKING INTO THE ECS MODULE, THIS CAUSED A SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS, THUS CAUSING THE FIRE, CLAIM 40-2188-822. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #6900798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER HAD LEFT VEHICLE AT REPAIR SHOP FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO BE CHECKED AND TO FIND OUT WHY A LIGHT IN THE DASH HAD ILLUMINATED, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEATER CORE HAD A HOLE IN IT, WHEN DEMANDING HER VEHICLE BACK, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASH AND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS BURNED, NOBODY CONTACTED HER TO LET HER KNOW ABOUT THE FIRE, CLAIM 24-5124-338. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #6900801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRE, IT APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED AT THE IGNITION SWITCH, CONSUMER SUSPECTS THE FIRE WAS DUE TO A PRIOR COLLISION, HOWEVER AN INSPECTOR STATED THE HEATER CORE WAS LEAKING INTO THE ECS MODULE, THIS CAUSED A SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS, THUS CAUSING THE FIRE, CLAIM 40-2188-822. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #6900798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER HAD LEFT VEHICLE AT REPAIR SHOP FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO BE CHECKED AND TO FIND OUT WHY A LIGHT IN THE DASH HAD ILLUMINATED, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEATER CORE HAD A HOLE IN IT, WHEN DEMANDING HER VEHICLE BACK, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASH AND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS BURNED, NOBODY CONTACTED HER TO LET HER KNOW ABOUT THE FIRE, CLAIM 24-5124-338. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #6900801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER HAD LEFT VEHICLE AT REPAIR SHOP FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO BE CHECKED AND TO FIND OUT WHY A LIGHT IN THE DASH HAD ILLUMINATED, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEATER CORE HAD A HOLE IN IT, WHEN DEMANDING HER VEHICLE BACK, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASH AND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS BURNED, NOBODY CONTACTED HER TO LET HER KNOW ABOUT THE FIRE, CLAIM 24-5124-338. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #6900801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE WAS GOING 65MPH AND SLOWING DOWN TO 30MPH WHILE STILL ACCELERATING. HEATER CORE WAS LEAKING ONTO COMPUTER FOR AIRBAG MODULE. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED.*AKTHE LEAKING HEATER CORE CAUSED ALOT OF DAMAGE TO THE AIRBAG, SPARK PLUGS, IGNITION CABLE, AND OXYGEN SENSORS. CONSUMER PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR DAMAGED PARTS. HEATER CORE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #8008606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FIRE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, FIRE MAY HAVE STARTED IN IGNITION SWITCH, CONSUMER FEELS THE FIRE MAY HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO A PRIOR COLLISION, HEATER CORE LEAKING INTO THE ECS MODULE, CAUSING A SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS, CLAIM 40-2188-822. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #6900497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER LEFT VEHICLE AT REPAIR SHOP TO DETERMINE WHY A LIGHT IN THE DASH WAS ILLUMINATING, DEALER STATED THAT THE HEATER CORE HAD A HOLE IN IT, CONSUMER SAW THAT VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE DASH AND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS BURNED, CLAIM 24-5124-338. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #6900500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blaines, TN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY WHICH CAUSES WIRES TO BLOW A FUSE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO.
NHTSA complaint #887217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.