310 of the 5,050 complaints filed about the Ford Escort are about the suspension — 6% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1997.
310
Complaints
6%
Share of all complaints
7
Crashes
1
Fires
SUSPENSION
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.
SUSPENSION
TOOK CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGE. TECH DISCOVERED BOTH REAR SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. WAS QUOTED $1200 TO REPLACE, INCLUDING STRUTS (STILL GOOD). I AM IN MINNESOTA AND THIS CAR HAS NO TRACTION IN THE SNOW. I CAN DRIVE AT 10 MPH AND THE BACK STILL BREAKS TRACTION. I HAVE SPUN OUT MORE DRIVING THIS CAR THAN I HAVE WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE. I DO THINK FORD DESIGNED AND SOLD AN UNSAFE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10605710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE IN 2003 AND WERE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT A REPAIR SHOP GETTING AN OIL CHANGE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 26,000. UPDATED 01/04/11*LJ UPDATED 01/10/11
NHTSA complaint #10360996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
I BOUGHT A USED 1999 FORD ESCORT STATIONS WAGON WITH ONLY 16K MILES ON IT. AT 30K MILES I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE FOR $585 TO REPLACE THE REAR COIL SPRINGS THAT ARE BROKEN, SAYING IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. NOTE I NEVER ASKED FOR MORE THAN A SIMPLE OIL CHANGE. IN READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS HERE FOR BROKEN SPRINGS I BELIEVE FORD HAS GOTTEN AWAY WITH A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT THAT EVEN ITS DEALERS ARE WELL AWARE OF.
NHTSA complaint #10357495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
FAILURE OF THE REAR SPRINGS ON 1998 FORD ESCORT FIRST IN 2003 AT 12,195MILES AND THE REPLACEMENTS BOTH FAILED AGAIN IN 2009 AT 36, 000 MILES. FAILURE APPEARS DUE TO SALT CORROSION ENHANCEMENT DUE TO COVERED SPRING SURFACE. FORD WAS CONTACTED AND EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE THEY WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. FAILURE RATES ARE VERY SHORT. VEHICLE WAS NEVER OVERLOADED AND IS GENTLY DRIVEN.
NHTSA complaint #10313589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCORT PURCHASED APRIL 2002. THE REAR COIL SPRINGS, STRUTS, AND EGR VALVE WERE PLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF $870.00. AFTER THE REPAIR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS, AND STRUTS FAILED, THEY THEN ADDED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS COMMON FOR HER MODEL TYPE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 59,000. UPDATED 11/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 11/24/09
NHTSA complaint #10291068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
NOISE THAT COULD NOT BE LOCATED IN REAR. REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKE .
NHTSA complaint #10280907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
NOISE THAT COULD NOT BE LOCATED IN REAR. REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKE .
NHTSA complaint #10280907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
DURING A STATE REQUIRED INSPECTION FOUND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN. FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10266456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
SUSPENSION:REAR
1997FORD ESCORT WAGON. HAVING HAD THIS CAR FOR EIGHT YEARS, WHERE I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE REARS SPRING ONCE, I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF SCHEDULING TO REPLACE THE REAR SPRINGS A SECOND TIME TO THE AMOUNT OF $700.00. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND FROM MECHANICS AND FROM THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A 'COMMON PROBLEM" WITH FORD. SINCE THIS HAS HAPPEN A SECOND TIME, FOR ME I FEEL I SHOULD GET SOME FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM FORD FOR THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE SUSPENSION. THIS SUSPENSION PROBLEM SHOULD BE A RECALL FROM FORD.
NHTSA complaint #10233976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
I OWN A 1999 FORD ESCORT S . THE MILEAGE IS 48,700 MILES. I TOOK IT IN YESTERDAY FOR A STATE INSPECTION. I WAS INFORMED THAT NOT ONLY ONE BUT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. FROM MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE READ THAT THIS HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS. BUT YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED.
NHTSA complaint #10231051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. DURING A VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS LATER, THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,350. UPDATED 06/09/08 *BF UPDATED 06/09/08
NHTSA complaint #10228382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
DURING REPLACEMENT OF TIRES AND ALIGNMENT, SERVICE PERSONNEL ADVISED THAT THE REAR COILS SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. WAS ADVISED THAT SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN FILED WITH BOTH NHTSA AND MANUFACTURER BUT NO RECALLS HAD BEEN ISSUED. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH CAN RESULT IN ADDITIONAL VEHICLE DAMAGE, INJURIES OR DEATH. A MANDATORY RECALL NEEDS TO BE REQUIRED AND ENFORCED.
NHTSA complaint #10228039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
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.
SUSPENSION
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.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, MY MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE REAR SPRING COILS ON MY 2001 FORD ESCORT (59,000 MILES) WERE NOTICEABLY WORN DOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY, AS TO NOT PUNCTURE MY TIRES. HE SAID THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN ESCORTS AND TAURUS AND THAT TIRES CAN BE PUNCTURED BY THESE REAR COIL SPRINGS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. I HAD THE REAR SPRINGS REPLACED, WHICH IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10221015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I WAS SOLD A 1998 FORD ESCORT ZX2 FOR 800 DOLLARS, FROM BUT BEHIND A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DID THE NOTARY, AND THEY WERE THE ONES WHO SIGNED OFF ON THE CAR AND GAVE ME A HAND WRITTEN RECEIPT WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S NAME ON IT. THEY ALSO DID THE INSPECTION LATER ON AFTER WE REPLACED ONE OF THE BALL JOINTS. WE HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY ANOTHER OFFICIAL INSPECTION STATION AND THEY SAID THE CAR WAS A DEATH TRAP. WE CONTACTED A STATE TROOPER. HE DID AN INSPECTION, FAILED THE CAR, AND TOOK THE STICKER. THERE WAS A LONG LIST OF PROBLEMS. I TRIED TO GET A REFUND BEFORE I GOT THE COPS INVOLVED AND HE REFUSED. THIS WAS ALSO BEFORE THE 10 DAYS WERE UP FOR THE INSPECTION. I PAID FOR THE CAR ON THE 13TH OF FEB. 2008.
NHTSA complaint #10220292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
REAR COIL SPRING FAILURE. 2 SEPARATE REAR COIL SPRING FAILURES WITHIN 2 MONTHS. 1 OF WHICH PUNCTURED THE TIRE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CAR LOST CONTROL AND WENT INTO THE MEDIAN. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS INJURED AND THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. REPAIR SHOP NOTED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ESCORTS.
NHTSA complaint #10214267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD ESCORT. IN AN ATTEMPT TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES AND AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PUT ON A LIFT, THE TIRE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS FAILED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS REGARDING THE SPRINGS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,009 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
NHTSA complaint #10214294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.