1999 Ford Escort engine problems

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING , THE CAR LOST POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN, AFTER COMING TO A STOP, WE TRIED TO START THE CAR UP AGAIN IT BSOUNDED LIKE IT WANTED TO TURN OVER BUT DIDN'T AFTER A FEW TRIES IT STOPPED MAKING ANY NOISE. A MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINE BLEW AND THAT IT WAS A ON GOING PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR AND MAKE OF CAR. THE ENGINE WAS PUT IN THE CAR WHEN WE BOUGHT IT, IT WAS ADVERTISED AS NEW SO THE PREVIOUS OWNER MUST HAVE HAD THISHAPPEN TO THEM AND KNOWINGLY SOLD US THEIR PROBLEM. PLEASE WE NEED HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10992090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

SINCE 2001, I HAVE HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT FORD AND SEARS REPAIR SHOP TO ADDRESS MY COMPLAINTS THAT WHEN MY CAR IS STATIONARY IT HAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. I WAS TOLD BY MANY FORD SHOPS THAT IT WAS NOTHING THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE MOTOR MOUNTS. IT WAS REPLACED THE MOUNTS AND IT LAST LONG AND STILL THE VIBRATION CONTINUED. RECENTLY, I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP REGARDING THAT SAME COMPLAINT AND THEY FOUND IT IS AN "ENGINEER DEFECT: ENGINE-IDLE VIBRATION". CAN THIS BE REPAIRED BY FORD AND AT NO COST TO ME?

NHTSA complaint #10947015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS DEFECTIVE. IN ADDITION, THE MOTOR FAILED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,083.

NHTSA complaint #10443205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

COMPANY STATES THEY DO A COMPREHENSIVE INSPECTION, SELL HIGH QUALITY USED VEHICLES, MEET CUSTOMERS PERSONAL NEEDS, AND BACK THEIR PRODUCT. NO INSPECTION WAS DONE, ONLY COSMETIC REPAIRS TO SELL THE CAR. NO INSPECTION REPORT CAN BE PRODUCED EXCEPT THE REPAIRS BEFORE CAR WAS PUT ON LOT. THIS VEHICLE IS FAR FROM THE HIGH QUALITY. WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE BACK IN THE SHOP 14 TIMES IN 14 MONTHS. IT DID NOT MEET THE 4 PERSONAL NEEDS WE REQUESTED. EVERYTHING WITH THOSE NEEDS HAS GONE COMPLETELY WRONG! WE DID NOT WANT A FORD; WE GOT A FORD, IT IS NOT RELIABLE. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THE AC AT THE SHOP 7 TIMES, NOW RENDERING THE CAR DISABLED. IT IS NOT RELIABLE, KEEPS BREAKING DOWN. IT DOES NOT GET GOOD MILEAGE; CAR GETS 21 MPG WHEN IT SHOULD GET ABOUT 35-38 ACCORDING TO MFG. WARRANTY WAS BURNED BY MILES GOING BACK AND FORTH TO SHOP FOR CONSTANT REPAIRS. 700 MILES FOR THE SAME ISSUE- THE AC. SERVICE ISSUES ARE THAT THEY HAVE NOT FOUND THE ROUTE OF THE PROBLEM AND WE KEEP HAVING TO GO BACK TO GET THE SAME THING FIXED. OWNER IS UNCOOPERATIVE, WONT LISTEN, ALWAYS COMES BACK WITH RESPONSES AND REPLIES THAT GO IN CIRCLES. HE WILL NOT LISTEN. WE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR A DIFFERENT CAR SINCE TWO WEEKS AFTER WE BOUGHT THIS CAR; WHEN WE FOUND OUT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO BE PUT ON THE ROAD. WITHIN TWO WEEKS IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS, BROKEN TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, BAD FUEL PUMP, WORN BRAKE PADS TO METAL. WHICH WERE WORN IN TWO WEEKS AFTER THEY WERE CHANGED BECAUSE OF A WARPED ROTOR. WE HAD TOLD THEM THERE WAS A SHAKE IN THE CAR WHEN WE DID A TEST DRIVE. THEY SAID IT WOULD HAPPEN TO A FORD. WE DID NOT WANT A FORD! WE WERE DESPERATE BECAUSE OUR CAR WAS DISABLED, OLD AND READY FOR THE JUNKYARD. WE WERE BROKE AND COULD NOT COME UP WITH A DOWN PAYMENT. THIS WAS THE ONLY PLACE THAT ADVERTISED NO DOWN PAYMENT. WE DID NOT NEED TO REPAIR CREDIT AS MOST PEOPLE WHO GO HERE. WE WERE APPROVED EVERYWHERE, JUST HAD NO DOWN PAYMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10284836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OK, SO I JUST BOUGHT MY 1999 FORD ESCORT ZX2 ON DECEMBER 1, 2008 AT 82,000 MILES. 2 MONTHS LATER I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY ALTERNATOR IN FEBRUARY 2009. IN MAY 2009 MY ENGINE BLEW, APPARENTLY THE #1 ROD SEPARATED AND WENT THROUGH THE OIL PAN. I REPLACED THE ENGINE SINCE I STILL HAVE A LOAN ON THE CAR. IT IS NOW JULY 2009 AND MY TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. I ONLY HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR LESS THAN 8 MONTHS AND REPAIR COSTS ARE MORE THAN WHAT I PAID FOR THIS. UNFORTUNATELY I CAN'T GET RID OF IT BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR A BETTER CAR AND NOW I AM IN THIS ENDLESS CYCLE OF REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10277102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

EXCESSIVE ENGINE VIBRATION BRAKES FRONT EXHAUST PIPE AND FUMES GET INTO CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10257216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE DROPPED TWO VALVE SEATS. AS A RESULT, TWO CYLINDER HEADS FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS IF IT WERE NOT RECEIVING ANY POWER AND THEN SHUT OFF. THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL DROVE POORLY. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A DISTURBING, CHOPPING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. SHE PURCHASED A REBUILT ENGINE AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION SENSORS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN SIX MONTHS LATER. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A NEW ENGINE, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE UNDER A LIFETIME WARRANTY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 142,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10238875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN A MONTH OF HER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN AUGUST OF 2007. A DAY OR TWO LATER, THE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE RADIO AND CLOCK IN THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON AND OFF AND MADE A STRANGE NOISE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE DIAGNOSTIC. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,964 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150. UPDATED 5/19/08 *CN THE GEAR LIGHT WENT OUT. THE MARKER LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED

NHTSA complaint #10225715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I PURCHASED MY SE IN NOVEMBER OF 2006 WITH LESS THAN 83K MILES ON IT. THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING IT, ONE OF THE HEAD GASKETS CRACKED. I HAD THE HEAD REPAIRED, AND LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER THAT THE HEAD CRACKED AGAIN. I HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED. I HAVE NOW HAD NEW HEADS, NEW ENGINE, NEW FUEL PUMP AND A NEW ALTERNATOR INSTALLED AND NOW AM HAVING A NEW PROBLEM. WHEN I PULLED OUT FROM A STOP, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE ENGINE IS NOW EMITTING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN STOPPED, AND I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS IS ALL IN ADDITION TO THE VIOLENT SHAKING, FAULTY FRONT HEADLIGHT, TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDS FLUSHED AND LOUD ENGINE NOISE. I HAVE SPENT MORE ON REPAIRS THAN I PAID FOR THE VEHICLE, AND NOW HAVE TO PUT MORE MONEY IN TO IT, AND IT STILL HAS LESS THAN 94K MILES ON IT. THIS IS MY FIRST FORD, AND WILL BE MY LAST.

NHTSA complaint #10225453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I OWN A 1999 FORD ESCORT SE. IT HAS LESS THAN 32,000 ORIGINAL MILES. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD VIBRATING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS I HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC, NOT THE DEALERSHIP. ON INVESTIGATION, HE DISCOVERED THAT MY 4TH PISTON IS CRACKED. WHEN HE CALLED JASPER ENGINES FOR THE PRICE ON A REPLACEMENT ENGINE, THEY TOLD HIM THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED SERVICE BULLETINS THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM IN THE 1999 ESCORT ENGINES. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD ABOUT HELPING IN THE COST OF REPLACING THE ENGINE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE CAR IS MORE THAN 5 YRS OLD THEY WILL NOT HELP. IF THEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM, THE SHOULD HAVE TO REPAIR IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER STEPS TO TAKE AND WISH TO KEEP THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10155266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I OWN A 1999 FORD ESCORT SE, 4 DOOR. ABOUT A WEEK AGO I TOOK IT INTO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD ALL FOUR MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BAD. A COUNTER PERSON LOOKED UP VEHICLE NOTICES AND (I THINK) FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN ON MOTOR MOUNTS FOR 2001-2003 ESCORTS. MY QUESTION IS, HOW CAN ALL FOUR MOTOR MOUNTS GO BAD AT ONE TIME UNLESS IT IS SHODDY EQUIPMENT TO BEGIN WITH. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ALL FOUR GOING BAD. IN ALL THE VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED I DO NOT THINK I HAVE EVER HAD ANY MOTOR MOUNT REPLACED. HAVE ANY OTHER SIMILAR PROBLEMS LIKE THIS BEEN REPORTED?

NHTSA complaint #10151211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I PURCHASED A 1999 FORD ESCORT FROM CARMAX IN MAY OF 2001. ABOUT 2-3 WKS LATER I CONSTANTLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHT GOING OUT. I GOT TICKETED BY THE POLICE SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE I WAS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEMS. THEN ONE DAY DRIVING FROM WORK MY ENGINE DIED. WITHOUT ANY WARNING AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO CARMAX AND THEY THEN TOOK IT TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP. WHENEVER I PUT THE AC ON THERE IS A RUMBLING COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. FRANKLY THE CAR IS A LEMON AND I HAD NO IDEA BECAUSE THERE WAS NO REPORTS ON THE CAR AND I REMEMBERED ASKING THE SALES REP. IF THERE WAS ANYTHING ABOUT THE CAR THAT I NEEDED TO KNOW AND I WAS TOLD NO. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO BECAUSE I AM SPENDING MONEY ON THIS CAR FOR MANUFACTURER PROBLEMS. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10131740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ON 12-11-04 WHILE RETURNING HOME FROM WORK, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE CAR STALLED. AT FIRST I THOUGH IT WAS THE TIMING BELT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL SHOP WHO SAID THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD BEEN STRETCHED AND HAD ACTUALLY SKIPPED GEARS. THEY REPLACED THE TIMING BELT AND UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THEY HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THEY REMOVED THE SPARK PLUGS TO FIND THAT THE #4 PLUG HAD BEEN BROKEN DUE TO AN IMPACT FROM THE ENGINE. AFTER CONTACTING THE SPARK PLUG MANUFACTUER, THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD 2.0 ENGINES MANUFACTURERED BETWEEN 1991 AND 2000. FORD USED A POWDERED METAL VALVE SEAL INSTEAD OF A STAINLESS STEEL ONE WHICH OVER TIME BREAKS APART AND FALLS INTO THE ENGINE DAMAGING THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10114168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

IN 1999 WE PURCHASED A FORD ESCORT. WITHIN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, THAT SOMETIMES A NEW CAR WOULD DO THAT JUST BY GOING OVER A BUMP. WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS THE CAR DEVELOPED SOME REALLY WEIRD PROBLEMS. DIAGNOSTICS WERE DONE, PARTS CHANGED AND MONEY PAID. NO CHANGE. THE CAR WILL STALL AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR A WHILE, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER. NOW IT STALLS CONSTANTLY. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO FIVE DIFFERENT MECHANICS PLUS THE FORD DEALERSHIP AGAIN, AND NO ONE CAN TELL US WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. DIAGNOSTICS ARE CONSTANTLY BEING DONE. PARTS CHANGED "JUST TO SEE" AND MORE AND MORE MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED EXCEPT IT IS GETTING WORSE. MY DAUGHTER IS NOW EXPECTING HER FIRST CHILD AND THE CAR IS HERS. WE ARE AFRAID TO LET HER DRIVE IT ANYMORE BECAUSE OF ITS INSTABILITY. FORD KEEPS TELLING US TO BRING IT BACK TO THEM AND THEY'LL DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM...THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO YET AND NOW THEY WON'T EVEN RESPOND ANYMORE. SO FORD IS ULTIMATELY THE PROBLEM...ALONG WITH THEIR CAR. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. WE CAN'T SELL THE CAR THIS WAY. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER ONE WITHOUT SELLING THIS ONE FIRST. DO WE HAVE ANY RECOURSE AT THIS POINT?

NHTSA complaint #10112146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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

DRIVING IN THE RAIN, RUNNING THROUGH PUDDLES CAUSES MY SERPENTINE BELT TO COME OFF. HAD A MECHANIC PUT THE BELT BACK ON. NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BELT OR THE TENSION. APPARENTLY JUST GETTING THE BELT WET IS ENOUGH TO HAVE IT WALK OFF THE BOTTOM PULLEY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I OF COURSE LOSE MY POWER STEERING AND IT RUNS MY BATTERY DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10105844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

1999 FORD ESCORT, 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, STATION WAGON: OIL LEAKED THROUGH THE CAMSHAFT BOLTS INTO THE MANUAL CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, CAUSING IT TO GUM UP AND EVENTUALLY FAIL TO DISENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION. SYMPTOMS INCLUDED THE CAR LURCHING FORWARD WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE WITH THE CLUTCH FULLY DEPRESSED, AND A THUMPING SOUND WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED WHILE DRIVING. THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE BY KAYSER FORD IN MADISON WI; UNCLEAR WHAT WAS DONE WITH THE OLD PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #10104329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED.

NHTSA complaint #10081418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I HAD TO PUT AN ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR LAST YEAR. NOW MY AC DOESN'T WORK AND I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AND PUT A NEW ALTERNATOR IN IT TOO. I HAVE HAD ISSUE AFTER ISSUE WITH MY ZX2.

NHTSA complaint #10074726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

BLOWN OR CRACKED HEAD GASKET PVC HOSE HOLE 62,000 RIDING ON FREEWAY NO INDICATION LIGHTS CAR LOST POWER

NHTSA complaint #10069569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MY 1999 FORD ESCORT EXCESSIVELY STALLS, IDLES LOW AND ACTS LIKE IT IS CHOKING WHEN I HAVE COME TO A STOP OR I AM STARTING THE CAR. THE CAR STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT STOP LIGHTS. IT SEEMS LIKE WHEN THESE CARS REACH A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE THEY SHUTDOWN. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY HAD ME CHANGE THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR, THROTTLE BODY, REPLACE ENGINE MOUNTS, REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION TWICE AND THE CAR STILL STALLS AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO GO BAD. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON OTHER CONSUMERS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE TYPE AND HAVE NOTICED THAT THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE TYPE AND CONSUMERS NEED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MONEY SPENT ON REPAIRS. PLEASE HAVE THIS INVESTIGATED BECAUSE THE CARS ARE UNUSABLE AND DANGEROUS. THIS SUDDEN STALLS WHEN DRIVING CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10054879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

NHTSA#10003194/612956/606433/6092008/615400/615476/615381 ENGINE VIBRATION FELT THRU STEERING WHEEL WHILE IN GEAR

NHTSA complaint #10051322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER FELT VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT.

NHTSA complaint #10052053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL AND A FUEL INJECTION CLEANER, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH, AND VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT TO NO AVAIL.

NHTSA complaint #10048762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WE ARE HAVING A VIBRATION PROBLEM WITH OUR FORD ESCORT. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE WITH THE DESCRIPTION "IT'S IDLING ROUGH". THE SERVICE CENTER CAME BACK TO ME WITH A "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN" FROM FORD OUTLINING A PROCEDURE TO LIMIT VIBRATION. APPARENTLY, THE VIBRATION STEMS FROM INADEQUATE/IMPROPER ENGINE MOUNTS IN THIS MODEL ESCORT. THE SERVICE OUTLINED REQUIRES CHANGING THE TYPE OF PARTS USED IN MOUNTING THE ENGINE, AND THE TSB CONTAINS INSTRUCTIONS FOR MODIFICATIONS TO BE DONE BY THE REPAIR CENTER PRIOR TO INSTALLATION. FORD IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THIS SITUATION, AS THE TSB ALSO STATES THIS AFFECTS ESCORTS FROM 1997-2002, ESCORT ZX2 FROM 1998-2003, AND THE TRACER FROM 1997-1999. WE WERE TOLD THE REPAIR BILL TO FIX THIS WOULD BE $380.00! I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS DEFECT FIXED. I CONTACTED FORD, AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD "SORRY , WE'RE NOT GOING TO FIX THIS, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY." THE PROBLEM CAME TO MY ATTENTION BECAUSE EVERYTHIUNG IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT NOT SCREWED DOWN RATTLES LIKE A ONE-MAN-BAND. THIS HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE LAST YEAR, AND HAS BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO PROBLEMS IN THE ENGINE TUNING. THANKS TO A WELL-INFORMED SERVICE TECHNICIAN, I NOW KNOW THE REAL CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT LEFT UNCHECKED, THE VIBRATIONS COULD CAUSE MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE ON THE CAR, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME ACTION TAKEN TO SEE THAT FORD CORRECTS THIS DEFECTIVE PART ON MY CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10045430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE VEHICLE WAS VERY NOISY WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN THE ENGINE, HOWEVER IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. *AK PLASTIC WAS USED INSTEAD OF METAL. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10040524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA complaint #10038636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER STATES CONECTING ROD TO THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE, CAUSSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10029970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY CAR AT 12,000 MILES, IT HAS SHAKEN AND VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. WHEN I RUN MY DEFROST OR A/C THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE AND MY CAR STALLS OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 30,000 MILES AND REPLACED EVERYTHING THE DEALERSHIP INSTRUCTED. ON JULY, 18, 2003 I MADE MY FINAL ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALER AND AGAIN SPECIFIED THE PROBLEM AND SHOWED THEM EXACTLY WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING. I PICKED IT UP LATER THAT AFTERNOON THEY HAD REPLACED THE VALVE AGAIN THAT I HAD JUST REPLACED IN JANUARY 2003. I TURNED ON MY CAR AND RAN THE A/C AND I SAW NO IMPROVEMENT. SO I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH A MANAGER WHO TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT MY CAR SHOULDN'T STALL ANYMORE BUT THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THEY CAN DO TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. BASICALLY, WE PURCHASED A $13,000 DOLLAR CAR THAT NEVER RAN RIGHT AND CAN NOT BE REMEDIED. NO ONE HAS A SOLUTION AND I'M EXPECTED TO BE SATISFIED WITH A CAR THAT SHAKES NON-STOP. IF FORD KNOWS THIS IS OCCURING THEY NEED TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS BEFORE THEY PURCHASE THE VEHICLE, INSTEAD OF LETTING THEM DRIVE AWAY IN A CAR THAT CAN NEVER BE FIXED. I HAVE LOST ALL RESPECT FOR FORD AND WILL NEVER PURCHASE A VEHICLE FROM THEM AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10028614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

AT APPROX. 30000 MILES THE CAR HAD THE FIRST INCIDENT OF NOT STARTING (AUG. 2001). TOOK IT TO AUTO SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS MIGHT BE A ONE-TIME INCIDENT. ABOUT 1/2 YEAR LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. HAD IT TOWED TO AUTO SHOP, THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME TO CALL THEM IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN LATE 2002 AND I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER AUTO SHOP. THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE REASON EITHER - EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE AND AFTER A WHILE IT STARTED AGAIN AND WAS RUNNING NORMALLY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN LATE JANUARY 2003 AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LATTER AUTO SHOP. THEY REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND TOLD ME EVERYTHING SHOULD BE FINE. LATE FEBRUARY 2003 THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CAR IS AT THE AUTO SHOP - THEY ARE TRYING TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. ON AND OFF IT WILL START. ALL CHECK DATES - EVERY 5000 MILES - HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED AND THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF AT ALL TIMES. NOW, I AM AFRAID OF DRIVING IT - BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, THAT AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE I HAVE TO FACE THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10008247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.