140 of the 5,050 complaints filed about the Ford Escort are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1997.
140
Complaints
3%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
16
Fires
VISIBILITY
FORD ESCORT 2000 COUPE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON; I.E., MY WIFE GOT IN THE CAR AND BEFORE SHE EVEN STARTED THE ENGINE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE REAR WINDOW WITH DEFROSTER SHATTERED INTO A MILLION PIECES.
NHTSA complaint #10365161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HEATER BLOWER FAILED AND SPARKS WERE SHOOTING FROM THE WIRING HARNESS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT THE HARNESS BEFORE A FIRE IGNITED. THE CONTACT LOCATED A MANUFACTURERS RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE WIRING OF THE DEFROSTER SYSTEM, IN WHICH HE BELIEVED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON HIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
NHTSA complaint #10364409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
I CURRENTLY OWN 2 (TWO) 2001 FORD ESCORT SE. BOTH HAVE THE SAME ELECTRICAL FIRE HAZARD AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR CONNECTOR, BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AS WELL AS THE WIRING HARNESSES AND CONNECTOR, THE CONNECTORS MELTED AND WIRING BURNT UP.
NHTSA complaint #10234345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
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.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE IDLE WAS ROUGH. THERE WAS ALSO A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE VIBRATION WAS DUE TO THE WAY THE ENGINE MOUNTS AND BRACKETS WERE INSTALLED, AND THAT SOME VIBRATION WAS INHERENT TO THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT LEAKING. THE FRONT PADS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/05/06.
NHTSA complaint #10173398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
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.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE, NHTSA # 02V323000, CONCERNING THE AIR BAG SENSOR. HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE WINDOWS FOGGING UP AND OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. WHILE INSIDE LOOKING AT THE GAUGES THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THIS PINNED THE TECHNICIAN BETWEEN THE SEAT AND STEERING WHEEL. THE DEPLOYMENT CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. UPON INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM INDICATED IN THE RECALL. THERE WAS WATER ACCUMULATED IN THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR. *NM UPDATED 3/1/2006 - THE CONSUMER STILL HAS THE DEFECTIVE PARTS IN HER POSSESSION.
NHTSA complaint #10147714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEATER CORE RUPTURED, WHICH CAUSED WATER TO GET INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK UPODATED11/29/05.
NHTSA complaint #10141777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
THIS IS PERTAINING TO A 1997 FORD ESCORT, VIN [XXX] 1. MY HEATER CORE DEVELOPED A LEAK 2. I HAD THE HEATER CORE REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP--IN THE SERVICE TICKET THEY NOTED "AIR BAG LIGHT WILL BE ON. COOLANT DAMAGED AIR BAG MONITOR WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED" (PRIOR TO THIS, THE AIR BAG MONITOR APPEARED TO BE WORKING--I.E. THE DASH LIGHT SHOWED NORMAL OPERATION.) SINCE THEY HAD ALREADY PUT THE DASH BACK ON AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $800 TO TAKE IT BACK OFF AND REPLACE THE MONITOR, I WAITED UNTIL I HAD BOTH THE MONEY AND TIME. 3. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (02S44): THIS WAS TO HAVE A SHIELD PLACED OVER THE AIR BAG MONITOR TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS. 4. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FACT THAT THE DAMAGE HAD ALREADY OCCURRED BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL ONLY COVERED PUTTING IN A SHIELD AND NOT THE REPAIR OF THE DAMAGE. 5. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ASKING THEM TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE RECALL AT NO COST TO ME BUT I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WILL ONLY INSTALL A SHIELD TO PREVENT FUTURE DAMAGE. (THAT SEEMS TO ME LIKE CLOSING THE BARN DOOR AFTER THE ANIMALS HAVE LEFT). *NM UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10130599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
WHILE DRIVING AND STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN AIR BAG DEPLOYED. VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE, AND THE HEATER COIL WENT OUT. THERE WAS ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE AIR BAG BUSTED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP THE CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #10099427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 02544 CONCERNING HEATER CORE FAILURE. HEATER CORE FLUID DRIPPED ON THE AIR BAG MODULE, CAUSING A SHORT. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ONCE, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10061290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR
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.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HEATER CORE LEAKED ONTO THE AIRBAG MONITOR WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE AND SHORT CIRCUITED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10033955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
CONSUMER HAD RECALL 02V323000 REMEDIED IN 03/03. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE CONSUMER WAS VERY CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY. *AK THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON FOR TWO DAYS. THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS IT HAD COME BACK ON. *SCC THE POWER WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10022776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE IN 1999 THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED FOUR DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES. THE FIRST FAILURE IN 04/01 RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE AIRBAG MODULE DUE TO LEAKAGE FROM THE HEATER CORE. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE WAS IN 10/02. NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
THE REAR WINDOW ON MY 1997 FORD ESCORT SHATTERED WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER THE CARPORT. THE WINDOW EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30 P.M. CDT. THERE WAS NO PRIOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE WINDOW. THERE WAS NO VANDALISM INVOLVED, MONROE POLICE DEPT. WAS CALLED AND THEY FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF A CRIMINAL ACT. ON OBSERVING THE WINDOW, THE OFFICERS COMMENTED THAT THE WINDOW SHATTERED FROM THE INSIDE. THERE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A STRUCTURAL DEFECT IN THE WINDOW. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10014488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
ON THE 1997 FORD ESCORT THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE IS INSTALLED DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE HEATER CORE. ON MY CAR THE HEATER CORE DEVELOPED A LEAK AND ANTIFREEZE FLOWED OVER THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE AND THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSOCIATED WITH IT. THIS RESULTED IN BURNT INSULATION ON THE WIRING FOR THE AIRBAG CONTROL AND BLOWING THE ASSOCIATED FUSE. IT CAME VERY CLOSE TO CAUSING A FIRE. THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THAT YOU DO NOT GET INDICATIONS OF AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK UNTIL IT IS TO LATE AND THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS NO LONGER USABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10008070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
THE HEATER CORE SPRUNG A LEAK. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITHIN 15 MONTHS. I CAUGHT THE PROBLEM BEFORE ANY DAMAGE OCCURED. THE FIRST TIME THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE AIR BAG AND PCM MODULES WERE DAMAGED BY THE HEATER CORE LEAK. THERE ALSO WAS A FIRE FROM THE PCM AND AIR BAG MODULE. THIS DAMAGE COST $1500. THE DEALER WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 3 MONTHS. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY CARS THAT ARE EXPIERENCING THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10003060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TWO SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRIC WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS. THE POWER WINDOWS AND MECHANICAL DOOR HANDLE INTERMITTENLY WORKS. MR
NHTSA complaint #767761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A VERY FINE MIST COMING FROM THE VENT AND THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN BLOWER MOTOR WAS ON, THE DEALER REPLACED MOTOR ASSEMBLY FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER.
NHTSA complaint #567157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.