70 of the
5,050 complaints filed about the Ford Escort
are about the equipment —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
1999 FORD ESCORT,HAD A WRECK AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED OUT BY INSURANCE ADJUSTER,THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND EVEN THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER STATED WOW THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T EVEN DEPLOY. ME AND MY GIRLFRIEND WERE INJURED AND WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK SINCE OCTOBER 2011 AND HAVE OVER 100,000 DOLLARS ALONE IN MEDICAL BILLS AND STILL HAVE TO HAVE SURGERY. AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE WORKED LIKE THEY WERE INSTALLED TO DO. I CALLED AND SPOKE WITH SOMEONE AT YOUR LOCATION AND SHE SAID THAT THERE WASN'T A RECALL YET,BUT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING. I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FILL OUT THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY OR WORK WHEN WE HAD A ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE CAR WAS TOTALED OUT AND WE WERE IN A 1999 FORD ESCORT.
NHTSA complaint #10458854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT A DEFECT INVESTIGATION BE DONE ON THE CRASH DATA REPORT. *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN HIS 1987 FORD ESCORT WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A 2006 CADILLAC ESCALADE THAT HIT THE CONSUMER WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. A CRASH STUDY WAS PERFORMED ON THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CADILLAC WHEN IT HIT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 20 MPH FASTER THAN HE WAS DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW WHY DIDN'T THE CADILLAC'S SDM NOT REGISTER AND RECORD THE FRONTAL CRASH IMPACT WITH THE ESCORT AS A DEPLOYMENT EVENT. *JB UPDATED 07/16/09.*JB UPDATED 08/04/09 *BF FORENSIC WITNESS REPORT RECEIVED. UPDATED 08/10/09.
NHTSA complaint #10274512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
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.
PURCHASED (4) COOPER TIRES(185/65R14 TRENDER SETTER; D.O.T. UT75C2H1602 ON 8-12-2002. A SIDEWALL DEFECT(2X1" BUBBLE) WAS NOTICED AND MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ON 1/2006. TIRE(SAME TYPE) WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S COST. ANOTHER TIRE SIDEWALL DEFECT(2X1" BUBBLE) WAS NOTICED ON 1/2008 IN THE SAME LOCATION AS THE FIRST. THIS TIRE WAS RETURNED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR EVALUATION. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED IT WAS NOT DEFECTIVE, BUT CAUSED BY CUSTOMER. THIS CAUSED CUSTOMER TO LOOSE CONFIDENCE IN THE QUALITY OF THE MANUFACURER'S TIRES FOR FEAR OF A SIDEWALL BLOW OUT. ALL TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND AT OWNER'S COST.
NHTSA complaint #10219689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED, AND SOON AFTER CONSUMER HEARD SOMETHING HIT THE GROUND. VEHICLE WAS GUIDED TO THE SHOULDER, AND CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER BRACKETS BROKE. THIS IN TURN, CAUSED THE AC COMPRESSOR TO FALL AND RIP A HOLE INTO THE OIL PAN.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10081871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 1997 FORD ESCORT THAT IS AT DRBN TOTAL AUTOMOTIVE, 23420 VAN BORN RD.,DBN HTS, MI 48125 FOR A PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE ISSUE. REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK (VERY MINOR AT THIS POINT, A LITTLE SPOT ON TRANS) WAS FOUND BY BELLE TIRE (DRBN, MI). DRBN TOTAL REPLACED FRONT PUMP SEAL & REAR MAIN SEAL FOR $486.85 ON 6/5/04. I RETURNED 6/14/04 (STILL LEAKING, BUT NOW ON THE GROUND). THEY KEPT FOR 9 DAYS, CHANGED THE SEAL & PUT A COVER ON THE CRANK. WHEN I PICKED UP, I GOT 5 MINUTES AWAY & THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS POURING OUT OF MY CAR & SMOKING. I HAD CAR TOWED IN 6/24/04 & IT IS STILL THERE. THEY ARE NOW PUTTING A SEAL SAVER ON THE MAIN SEAL. THE MANAGER OF THE STORE ADVISED ME THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO & THEY TALKED TO THE DEALER OF THE CAR. THE DEALER CLAIMS THEY HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH AN ESCORT BEFORE. DRBN TOTAL SAYS THEY WILL GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK IF THEY CAN'T FIX IT. I DISAGREE WITH THAT BECAUSE I CAME IN THERE WITH MONEY & A CAR THAT WAS RUNNING WITH A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF WITHOUT KEEPING MY CAR FOR 3 GOING ON 4 WEEKS (OFF AND ON) & DESTROYING MY TRANSMISSION. I AM HANDICAPPED & WORK & I WAS RECOMMENDED THIS STORE BY A USMA AUTOMOTIVE MEMBER & I PRIDE MYSELF IN KEEPING UP MY MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR. NOW I'M STUCK, PLEASE HELP!
NHTSA complaint #10078993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DUE TO A POOR DESIGN AIR CONDITIONER HOSE WAS IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH THE VEHICLE'S RADIATOR. THIS CAUSED A HOLE IN THE AIR CONDITIONER HOSE, WHICH CASED FREON TO ESCAPE, AND POSSIBLY CAUSE HARM TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE BUT WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10079631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR CONDITIONER BEGAN BLOWING HOT AIR JUNE 2002 TOOK IN FOR REPAIR AND RICART FORD CLAIMED IT WAS THE MODULE. THE PART WAS NOT COVERED ON THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN AND IT WAS OVER $500 TO REPAIR. DECLINED REPAIRS. THE FOLLOWING SPRING AIR CONDITIONER BEGAN WORKING ON ITS OWN APRIL 2003. JULY 2003 THE AIR CONDITIONER BEGAN BLOWING HOT AIR AND WOULD BLOW OUT COLD AIR IF IN THE SHADE OR TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS COOL. AT THIS TIME THE AIR CONDITIONER IS NOT FUNCTIONING.
NHTSA complaint #10047327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHENEVER THE GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE REVVED, BUT DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONSUMER HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW. ONE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER. *AK THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED AND SHIFTED HARSHLY, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE WITH THE BRAKING AT ALL TIMES, THE PLASTIC MOLDING INTERIOR OF THE DRIVER MIRROR WAS LOOSE, THERE WAS A SLOW START WHEN COLD OR DAMP WEATHER IS PRESENT,THE VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE ROUGH IDLE AT THE STOP POSITION, THE CD PLAYER HAD BEEN LOOKED AT THREE TIMES, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS LOOKED AT THREE TIMES AND REMAINED INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10048159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL FAILURE; DRIVER'S SIDE LAP BELT; DASH LIGHTS(SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE HEAT TEMP & REVOLOTION GUAGE), RADIO LIGHTS, DRIVER'S DOOR BUZZER/ OVERHEAD LIGHT; A/C,/ HEATER FAN INTERMITTENT. IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, X2, BOTH BRAKE LIGHT BULBS REPLACED: COURTESY LIGHT IN TRUNK NEEDS REPLACED. HAS NEVER BEEN TO GARAGE, TO BE REPAIRED, FOR ANY ABOVE ELECTRICAL.EXCEPTION, IGNITION REPLACED BY GARAGE X1.
NHTSA complaint #10037446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LTR FM AGNES VANANTWERP (FL) MR THE CONSUMER SEEKED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR OF LEAKAGE IN THE EVAPORATOR WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE AIR BAG MONITOR DOT 2003-2332. SINCE THEN, THERE WAS CONDENSATION IN THE A/C WHEN IN USE AND CAUSED THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO FILL WITH WATER. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10019735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I READ THAT THAT NHTSA CONDUCTED A STUDY ON TIE ROD END FAILURE IN FORD CARS AT SOME POINT. I HAVE JUST HAD TWO SETS OF TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED ON MY FORD ESCORT (98 MODEL YEAR) WITHIN A SPAN OF A YEAR AND A HALF. IF YOU ARE STILL COLLECTING DATA FOR THIS ISSUE, I RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT MY CASE.
NHTSA complaint #10008182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE AT AN IDLE PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND VEHICLE ENGINE RIVED UP. STEPPED ON GAS PEDAL VEHICLE IDLED FASTER. SHUT VEHICLE OFFAND RESTARTED IT. HAD VEHICLE SERVICE. THIS IS AS RESULT OF THE ENGINE COMPUTER CHIP SENDING WRONG INFORMATION. MR
NHTSA complaint #8020682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN AUGUST 2001THE AIR CONDITIONER STARTED MAKING A NOISE AND THEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND CHIME STARTED. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE BRANDON FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY FIXED THE AIR CONDITIONER. BUT THEY SAID IT WOULD BE AT LEAST $1000 TO JUST LOOK AT THE AIR BAG. WE DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO WASTE ON AIR BAGS. I WAS EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT AT THE TIME AND WE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF THE AIR BAGS WOULD DEPLOY. THEY SAID THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. NOW I READ AN ARTICLE STATING THAT THE AIR BAGS IN THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE HAVE DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. SO, MY HUSBAND, MY UNBORN CHILD AND MYSELF WERE AT RISK AND WE WERE UNDER THE IMPRESSION EVERYTHING WAS FINE. A YEAR LATER THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPS WORKING AND MY HUSBAND LOOKED UNDER THE DASH TO SEE IF HE COULD FIGURE OUT WHY IT STOPPED WORKING. HE FOUND THE WIRES CONNECTING TO THE AIR CONDITIONER WERE ALL MELTED. THIS COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE AND AGAIN MY HUSBAND, MY SON AND MYSELF WERE AT RISK BECAUSE THE REAL PROBLEM WAS NEVER REALLY FIXED. I READ IN THE ARTICLE THAT FIRES ALSO HAD OCCURRED FOR NO REASON. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW WE WILL BE PROTECTED FROM THESE FAILURES THAT HAVE OCCURRED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
NHTSA complaint #766070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITHOUT WARNING IGNITION STARTED TO CRANK, CAUSING IGNITION SWITCH TO MELT.*AK DEALER FOUND FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED MALFUNCTION TO BURN WIRE ON STARTER SOLENOID OFF CAUSING CAR TO TURNOVER BY ITSELF. BRAKE CALIPERS, ALTERNATOR, TWO AIR CONDITIONER POWER HOSES, MASTER CYLINDER, STARTER AND TIRES (TIRE INFORMATION UNKNOWN) HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8013315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.