127 of the 5,050 complaints filed about the Ford Escort are about the lighting — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1991.
127
Complaints
3%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
7
Fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I have a very bad gas leak and have Always smelt fuel since I have owned the car, the front suspension is also affected and my rear lights are faulty
NHTSA complaint #11467234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE FIRST DEFECT IS ABOUT THE SHIFTING GEARS LIGHT. I CAN NOT SEE THE SHIFTING GEARS AT NIGHT UNLESS I TURN THE CAR'S LIGHT ON OR SOMETIMES I USE A LIGHT APP TO SEE THEM. THIS IS BECAUSE THE SHIFTING GEARS DON'T SHOW UP ON THE SCREEN AND ALSO THERE'S NO LED LIGHTS FOR THE SHIFTING GEARS THE OTHER PROBLEM I WANT TO REPORT IS THAT THESE CARS HAVE ALWAYS HAD LOUD NOISES AND I AM SUSPECTING THERE'S TRANSMISSION/ENGINE DEFECTS. NOW I AM LEFT WITH A DISABLED VEHICLE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION JUST DECIDED TO BREAK ON ME, I DROVE IT PERFECTLY FINE THE DAY BEFORE IT BROKE DOWN. THE NEXT DAY, AS I WAS USING THE CAR, I TURNED IT ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME REALLY HARD AND THE CAR WAS MOVING SUPER SLOWLY SO I DECIDED TO PARK IT RIGHT BACK. AFTER I TOLD A MECHANIC EXPERT ABOUT IT, HE TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE. I DON'T HAVE NO MONEY TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT COST A LOT OF MONEY. FORD SHOULD REALLY TAKE A LOOK AT THIS VEHICLE AND FIX THE MANY DEFECTS THEY CAME UP WITH
NHTSA complaint #10781190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT SEVERAL TIMES AND WOULD RECUR SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS OR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
NHTSA complaint #10475002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE HEADLAMP COVERS ARE AWFUL AND DANGEROUS. THEY ARE SO CLOUDY THEY MAKE VISIBILITY ALMOST NIL IN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES (ESP FOGGY NIGHTS). I FEEL THE MATERIAL THEY ARE MADE OF IS SUB PAR, CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10214684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE BOTH VERY OBSCURED BY DETERIORATED MATERIAL..THIS LOWERS THE LIGHT TRANSMISSION SUBSTANTIALLY CAUSING A VERY UNSAFE NIGHT DRIVING CONDITION.. THERE IS NO MECHANICAL DAMAGE TO THE LENSES ONLY DETERIORATION.
NHTSA complaint #10211193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLIGHT SWITCH WENT OUT -- NO HEADLIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS. NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO FAILING.
NHTSA complaint #10172627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHT COVER CLOUDED FROM AGE. DRIVERS CAN'T SEE WELL AT NIGHT. I'VE NOTICED THAT ALL ESCORTS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO NOTICED A RECALL ON REPLACEMENT LIGHTING THAT LEADS TO SUGGEST THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT COVERS. WHY ISN'T MANUFACTURE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS? ESPECIALLY SAFETY PARTS. PREVIOUS OWNER HIT SOMETHING SLIGHTLY. I BELIEVE THIS IS DUE TO LACK OF ADEQUATE LIGHTING.
NHTSA complaint #10172397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLAMP LENS IS TURNING CLOUDY WITH AGE, REDUCING AMOUNT OF LIGHT ON ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10165289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
THE HEAD LIGHT LENSES ON THE FRONT OF MY 96 FORD ESCORT FROM THE HEAT OF THE BULBS BEING EVENTUALLY START TO MELT I BELIEVE THIS IS A PROBLEM OF POOR QUALITY ON FORDS PART.
NHTSA complaint #10157505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
WHEN ON HIGHWAY 55 MPH OR MORE TRANSMISSIONS ACTS LIKE IT GOES INTO NEUTRAL HAVE NO OVERDRIVE OR DRIVE THEN ALSO SLIPS IN AND OUT. ALSO HAVE LIKE POWER SURGES WHEN USING THE HEATER IN THE CAR THE ENGINE REVS UP AND DOWN LIKE YOU ARE STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL EVEN WHEN IN PARK HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THESE ISSUES YET. ALSO HAVE HAD THE REAR WIPER MOTOR AND STUFF REPLACED AND STILL DO NOT GET WASHER SOLVENT TO REAR WIPER THE BRAKE LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF BACK WINDOW DOES NOT WORK EITHER CAUSES STILL UNKNOWN IT IS A 1995 FORD ESCORT LX WAGON WITH ONLY 73000 MILES 1.9 L.
NHTSA complaint #10156484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES ON THE HEADLIGHTS OF MY 1995 FORD ESCORT LX HAVE BECOME CLOUDY, YELLOWED AND OPAQUE. THIS CUTS DOWN NOTICEABLY ON THE ABILITY OF THE HEADLIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AT NIGHT, TRULY A SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10135888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DT: CONTACT STATES THE HEADLIGHT SOCKET WENT OUT ON 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONSUMER TELLING THAT IF SHE DID NOT HAVE THE SOCKET REPLACED IT WILL CAUSE A FIRE. BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE WARRANTY SAYID THAT ELECTRONIC PARTS WERW NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10129289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
DT: 1991, FORD, ESCORT HATCHBACK. CONSUMER'S WIFE CAME HOME YESTERDAY, AND SAID SHE SMELLED SMOKE. CONSUMER CHECKED VEHICLE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIRD BRAKE LIGHT LOCATED AT TOP OF REAR WINDOW SMOKED WHEN BRAKE WAS PRESSED. CONSUMER TOOK LIGHT APART, AND FOUND SAME PART AT A JUNK YARD. CONSUMER REPLACED HEAT SHIELD AND HALOGEN BULB WITH ONE FROM JUNK YARD. CONSUMER CALLED FORD AND GAVE FORD INFORMATION ABOUT THE INCIDENT. FORD TOLD CONSUMER THERE WERE NO RECALLS, BUT THEY WERE GOING TO TURN IT IN TO ENGINEERING. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT A LOWER WATT, COOLER BULB WOULD KEEP LIGHT FROM CAUSING FIRE.*AK BULB HOUSING HAD HOLE MELTED THROUGH IT. REPLACED HOUSING WITH GOOD HEAT SHIELD (ORIGINAL HEAT SHIELD HAD BURNED OFF CAUSING THE PROBLEM).
NHTSA complaint #10125284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
DT: HEADLIGHTS ARE FOGGING UP DUE TO MOISTURE. CALLER IS CONCERNED THAT THEY WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION IF THEY GET ANY WORSE. DEALER SAID HEADLIGHTS NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND THAT WAS ALL THEY COULD DO. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CALLED YET.*AK THE 2 HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED. CONSUMER THOUGHT WHEN THE RIGHT DIRECTIONAL MALFUNCTIONED , IT WAS DUE TO THE MOSITURE TOO.
NHTSA complaint #10124445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DT: HEADLIGHTS ARE FOGGING UP DUE TO MOISTURE. CALLER IS CONCERNED THAT THEY WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION IF THEY GET ANY WORSE. DEALER SAID HEADLIGHTS NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND THAT WAS ALL THEY COULD DO. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CALLED YET.*AK THE 2 HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED. CONSUMER THOUGHT WHEN THE RIGHT DIRECTIONAL MALFUNCTIONED , IT WAS DUE TO THE MOSITURE TOO.
NHTSA complaint #10124445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
BOTH REAR BRAKE STOP LAMPS FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN STOPPING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE SWITCH UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS THE PROBLEM RECURRED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE MAY BECOME INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE'S PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10117038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
BOTH REAR BRAKE STOP LAMPS FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN STOPPING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE SWITCH UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS THE PROBLEM RECURRED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE MAY BECOME INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE'S PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10117038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
OUR 2001 ESCORT ZX2 HAS HAD MANY ISSUES. MOST RECENT WAS THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT CATCHING FIRE. NOW THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH CONTROLS HEADLIGHTS AND BRIGHTEST AND TURN SIGNALS HAD A SHORT. CAR CAN NOT BE DROVE AT NIGHT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. ALSO A WHILE BACK THERE WAS A BURNED WIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #10098236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT WILL NOT ENGAGE. INTERIOR LIGHT WILL NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10071153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.