83 of the
5,050 complaints filed about the Ford Escort
are about the other systems —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1997.
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.
> FROM: GALLY > COMMENTS: > GREETINGS, > > PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT WE RECENTLY PURCHASED THE ABOVE SUBJECT VEHICLE, AND NOW WE ARE EXPERIENCING A FUEL LEAK FROM THE PLASTIC GAS TANK. THE LEAK COMES FROM THE SAME LOCATION THAT THE NHTSA RECALLS (REFERENCED ABOVE) OCCUR. > > I HAVE SPOKEN ON THE PHONE BOTH WITH FORD CORPORATE AND THE LOCAL DEALER ( HELLER FORD, ESCONDIDO, CA. ) AND HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, NOR WOULD THERE BE ANY ASSISTANCE IN HAVING THE REPAIR MADE AT THE MANUFACTURER OR DEALER EXPENSE. > > IN MY RESEARCH OF THE VEHICLE AND RECALLS SPECIFIC TO THE 1995 ESCORT MODEL, I CAME ACROSS VARIOUS DOCUMENTS ONLINE WHICH LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT ANY VEHICLE OF SIMILAR MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR WHICH HAD SIMILAR DEFECTS AS THE VEHICLES SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL MENTIONED ABOVE, SHOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE MANUFACTURER OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVE (THE DEALER) AND REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WOULD THEN BE RECOVERED BY THE DEALER FROM THE MANUFACTURER. PLEASE REFER TO FORD RECALL SERVICE BULLETIN 97S79 PAGE TWO. > > AN ADDED NOTE. CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS THE SOLE SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION FOR MY GIRLFRIENDS DAUGHTER AND HER 1 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER. THEIR SAFETY IS OUR PRIMARY CONCERN, AS WELL AS THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. > > PLEASE ENSURE A TIMELY RESPONSE TO THIS ISSUE. WE WISH TO HAVE THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY AND HOPE TO DISCOVER THAT FORD STANDS BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS, THEIR REPUTATION, AND EXISTING AND FUTURE CUSTOMERS. > > PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AT THIS ADDRESS OR CALL ME DIRECTLY.> ?
NHTSA complaint #10226422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER LETTER REGARDING REPLACEMENT TIMING BELT. *TS THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW DOES THE TIMING BELT NEED TO BE REPLACED PERIODICALLY AND IF SO AT WHAT INTERVALS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE GUIDE FOR THE 1.8L STATED THE TIMING BELT SHOULD BE REPLACED EVERY 60,000 MILES, HOWEVER IT DIDN'T MENTION HOW OFTEN THE 1.9L SHOULD BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10141071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ATOMATIC SEATBELT IS NOT RUNNING IN IT'S TRACK CONTINUOUSLY. IT HAS DECIDED TO WORK WHEN AND IF IT FEELS LIKE IT. THE PAINT STARTED PEELING ON THE TOP OF THE TRUNK IN 1998 OR 99 APPROXIMATELY, I HAVE NEVER HAD THE MONEY TO GET THE PAINT FIXED. I DID HOWEVER GET THE SIDE PAINTED WHEN I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN 1993. THAT PAINT HAS BUBBLED. I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT IT COST ME, I THINK JUST MY INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE AT THAT TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10068870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON APRIL 11, 1995 I PURCHASED A NEW 1995 FORD LX, 1.9L SEFI , VIN# [XXX]. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS AND SETTLING INTO IT, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM WHAT TO ME SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE AREA ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE STEERING COLUMN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TEST DRIVEN AND I WAS SIMPLY TOLD THAT IT WAS PROBABLY JUST NEW ENGINE NOISE AND IT WOULD STOP. AS TIME WENT ON THE CLICKING CONTINUED. I CALLED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES THEN I JUST GAVE UP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING OKAY AND HAD CAUSED NO CONCERN. ON SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 (CLICKING NOISE STILL THERE) I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR OTHER PROBLEMS. AS INVOICE STATES, NOISE MAY BE COMING FROM ENGINE AREA. ON MAY 22, 2002 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT JUST STOPPED!!!!! REFERENCING NORTH CENTRAL FORD INVOICE NO. [XXX] (WHICH IS ATTACHED) YOU CAN SEE THE WORK THAT WAS PERFORMED. IN REFERENCE THE ABOVE-MENTIONED INVOICE, YOU WILL NOTICE THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED, ONE OF THE PHONE CALLS I RECEIVED WAS TO EXPLAIN THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD SNAPPED. PLEASE NOTICE THAT YOU WILL FIND NOWHERE MENTIONED THAT VALVES OR ANYTHING ELSE WAS CHECKED. BY THE TIME ALL OF THIS TOOK PLACE, THE CLICKING NOISE HAD BECOME MORE APPARENT AND THEY WERE MADE AWARE THAT IT WAS STILL THERE. NOW FOR THE GRAND FINALE, ON APRIL 29, 2003 I DROVE THE CAR TO A NEARBY STORE AND WHEN I CAME BACK OUT THE CLICKING NOISE TURNED INTO A NOISE AS IF THE ENGINE WERE GOING TO EXPLODE. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND IT WAS TAKEN TO NORTH CENTRAL FORD. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE MECHANIC THOUGHT PUSH ROD HAD GONE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MORE THAN ONE MECHANIC (ASE CERTIFIED) WHO CLEARLY BELIEVES THAT THE VALVES SHOULD HAVE BEEN AT LEAST CHECKED WHEN THAT BELT BROKE. THIS [XXX] VEHICLE WAS MY PRIDE AND JOY IT WAS PAMPERED. THE MILEAGE ON IT WAS A MERE 74,639. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10070263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRIES TO ACCELERATE AND PUSH THROUGH STOPLIGHTS WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. ACCELERATES WITH OUT ME AND EVEN TRYING TO BRAKE WON'T STOP. STOP AND PUT IT IN PARK AND IT REVS THE ENGING TO VERY HIGH RPM'S.
NHTSA complaint #10070426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, AS YOU ARE DRIVING THE BACK OF THE SEAT WILL DROP DOWN. I HAD TAKEN IT IN TO THE SERVICE CENTER AND MADE COMMENT OF THIS TO WHICH I WAS TOLD I HAVE NEVER HEARD ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE. WHAT I HAVE FOUND OUT OVER THE YEARS AND MILES, IS THAT THE SEATBELT STRAP AT THE LAP CAN CATCH ON THE RELEASE LEVER OF THE SEAT AND ANY SHIFTING IN POSITION WILL PULL ON THE LEVER AND RELEASE THE SEAT BACK. THIS IS JUST A WARNING TO OTHERS AS IT CAN CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT AS IT CATCHES THE UNSUSPECTING DRIVER OFF GUARD WHEN THE BACK OF YOUR SEAT FALLS. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN OVER A DOZEN TIMES SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10070873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HELLO, MY COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE REAR COIL SPRINGS OF '98 ISH ESCORTS. IN MY CASE, THE FIRST SPRING FAILED AT ABOUT 80,000 KMS AND THE SECOND WAS CONFIRMED JUST TODAY WHILE HAVING A TIRE REPLACED DUE TO A PUNCTURE. THREE GARAGES HAVE MADE UNSOLICITED COMMENTS CONCERNING THE AWFUL COILS DELIVERED WITH THE CAR WONDERING IF THEY (THE REAR COILS) HAD FAILED YET. INITIALLY I WAS SKEPTICAL OF THE MECHANICS MOTIVES; NOW I JUST FUME WHEN I HEAR THESE COMMENTS. IF THIS IS SUCH A PROBLEM, WHY ISN'T FORD MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO REDRESS THIS PROBLEM? NOW I'M WONDERING WHETHER THAT BUSTED COIL WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR YESTERDAY'S PUNCTURED TIRE - THE GARAGE THOUGHT THIS WAS CERTAINLY NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION.
NHTSA complaint #10071377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CLEARCOAT ON THE BLACK PAINT OF MY 1999 FORD ESCORT ZX2 HAS CRACKED. THERE ARE FINE WHITE CRACKS COVERING THE CAR BODY BUT MAINLY ON THE HOOD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERS AUTO BODY SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT AND THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER BLACK CARS. SO FAR BOTH THE DEALER, GUS JOHNSON FORD, AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE HAVE REFUSED TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THIS VEHICLE IS COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10070806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER INSTALLATION OF "MAGNETIZER" (MAGNETIZER.NET) , BOSCH PLATINUM +4 SPARK PLUGS, BOSCH OXYGEN SENSOR, K&N HIGH FLOW AIR FILTER CAR MAKES 36 MPG I TOWN & 39 MPG ON HIGHWAY. THAT SHOWS THAT AFTERMARKET PARTS CAN IMPROVE ANY CARS GAS MILEAGE BY UP TO 25% WHY CAR PRODUCERS DON'T USE THESE TECHNOLOGIES AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10049177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR PURCHASED WAS FOR 1800 AND THE MECHANIC WHERE PURCHASED FROM TOLD ERIC THAT THE CAR WAS FULLY INSPECTED AND READY FOR THE ROAD. HIS GIRLFRIEND TEST DROVE THE CAR AND TOLD GREG THAT THE BRAKES DIDNT WORK HE SAID HE'D HAVE THEM LOOKED AT. HAD THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS AFTER HE SUPPOSEDLY RE-CHECKED THEM AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO MONRO MUFFLER TO BE RE-CHECKED AND FOUND THAT THE WHOLE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR WAS RUSTED AND ROTTED STRAIGHT THROUGH. THE CAR IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND GREG REFUSES TO RETURN THE MONEY TO THE CONSUMER. IF YOU COULD PLEASE HELP US OUT THAT WOULD BE GREAT. PHONE ME AT 860-589-9445
NHTSA complaint #10036769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT A USED CAR THROUGH EBAY FROM ADAM FROM EAST COAST MOTORS USED CAR DEALER FOR $1200. HE ADVERTISED THE CAR AS HAVING ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG, BOTH SAFETY FEAURES WHICH I NEEDED FOR MY GIRLFRIEND AND FUTURE CHILD. UPON TAKING IT FOR A REQUIRED PA INSPECTION 2 WEEKS LATER, AND SPENDING $700 FOR IT JUST TO PASS, I FOUND OUT IT DIDN'T HAVE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES OR DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG. I CONTACTED HIM AND WE AGREED ON A REFUND OF $200. BEFORE I GOT HIS ATTORNEY'S PAPERS TO SIGN BEFORE HE SENT THE REFUND, I RECEIVED THE TITLE IN THE MAIL. IT HAD 125,543 MILES ON IT, BUT THE CAR ODOMETER (AND HOW IT WAS ADVERTISED) HAD 99,175 MILES. I CONTACTED HIM AGAIN TRYING TO FIND A RESOLUTION. SINCE THE DATE OF THE REPORTED MILEAGE WAS PAST THE DATE I BOUGHT IT, HE WILL DO NOTHING AT ALL FOR FOR ME, NOT EVEN THE AGREED $200. BUT THE REPORTED MILEAGE WAS TAKEN FROM THE LAST TITLE TRANSFER, WHEN HE BOUGHT THE CAR. WE WAS VERY RUDE IN HIS LAST EMAIL. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10016680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THERE WAS A FAST IDLE, VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL, BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED ALONG WITH THE FAST IDLE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD RUN FINE. AFTER FIVE ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, AND AFTER BEING TOLD REPEATEDLY THE VEHICLE RAN NORMALLY, THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE A FULL REFUND. THE PCV WAS REPLACED, AND THE VEHICLE HAD RUN PERFECT UNTIL THE FAST IDLE HAD RETURNED ALONG WITH THE VIBRATIONS WHICH IRRITATED THE CONSUMER WHICH CAUSED HEADACHES AFTER 20 MILES OF DRIVING. THE VALVE ASSEMBLY/CRANKCASE VENTILATION REGULATOR WAS REPLACED AS WELL. MR SCC
NHTSA complaint #10015693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UPON ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN, FORTUNATELY BOTH IN A WAY THAT HAD NOT CAUSED TIRE DAMAGE. SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATES GREATLY AND CREATES BUZZING-LIKE NOISE AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 55 MPH. MR
NHTSA complaint #768300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ENGINE HAD CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING. ALSO THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AT TIMES. THE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. *YH THE SEAT BELTS HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, THE REAR DISC BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE CABLE IS WORKING, BUT NOT NOT APPLYING PRESSURE, AND THE V/C IS LEAKING. (V/C PER INVOICE) THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE PROBLEM, SEEM TO BE COMING FROM THE IGNITION. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #567598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARS ON DASHBOARD WHEN CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. WHEN DEALERSHIP DROPPED VEHICLE OFF THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. ENGINE LOCKED UP.
NHTSA complaint #8012285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.