1994 Ford Escort complaints

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED CONTINUED ENGINE PROBLEMS AND FAILURES, REQUIRES COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. *MJS

SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT MOVE ON THE RAIL OR MOVES FORWARD AND BACK BEFORE DRIVER IS ABLE TO GET INTO VEHICLE. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED THE DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

CONSUMER BOUGHT CAR IN MARCH. WITH 20 MILES ON VEHICLE, TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE FIRST TIME, TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR. THE SECOND TIME, TRANSMISSION FELL APART AN HOUR AFTER SHE PICKED IT UP. THIRD TIME, TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T GO INTO REVERSE, AND FOURTH TIME, TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. IT WOULD STAY IN PARK AND MAKE GRINDING NOISE. *AK

GET A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE ONLY WHEN PRESSING THE GAS, CAN BE ACCELERATING OR STAYING AT A NORMAL SPEED. KNOCKING STOPS WHEN I RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL. *AK

RADIATOR FAN IS DEFECTIVE. FAN SHROUD'S SHARP EDGES IS CUTTING INTO THE RADIATOR ,LEAKS START, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGES THE HEADS. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP.AK

THIS REPORT RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO THE DETERIORATION OF THE PLASTIC ON THE HEADLIGHT UNIT. I HAD NOTED PROBLEMS WITH ROAD LIGHTING BY MY CAR FOR QUITE SOMETIME AND HAVE USED THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO ILLUNIATE THE ROADS. (I DO NOT DRIVE MUCH AT NIGHT.) RECENTLY, THE ROAD ILLUMINATION BY THE FORD ESCORT WAGON BECAME SO POOR, I AND MY FAMILY TRIED TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE LIGHTS WORKED, BUT ILLUMINATION WAS NOT GETTING PAST THE DETERIORATED PLASTIC WHICH HAS NOT HELD UP TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES. I BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM CAN BE SUBTLE AND TAKES A WHILE TO DEVELOP. BECUASE OF THAT, THE CONSUMER IS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER WHERE I TAKE MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER TOLD ME THIS WAS A PROBLEM. I HAVE SAVED THE OLD HEAD LIGHT UNITS WHICH I CONSIDER NO LONGER SAFE FOR DRIVING AND HAD FORD INSTALL NEW UNITS. I HAVE NOTICED A TREMENDOUS, TREMENDOUS IMPROVEMENT IN ILLUMINATION. I NOW CONSIDER THESE PLASTIC UNITS TO BE POTENTIALLY UNSAFE FOR THE PUBLIC AS THEY DETERIORATE. I AM SURE OTHERS MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO FORD. I BELIEVE THAT ACCIDENTS WILL BE CAUSED WHEN THE UNIT PLATIC BECOMES SO CLOUDED AS TO BLOCK THE LIGHT AND NO PROVIDE PROPER ROAD ILLUMINATION. ODI IS MORE THAN WALCOME TO EXAMINE MY OLD HEADLIGHT UNITS.

WE FEEL THAT WITH A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD SHOULD AT THE VERY LEAST HAVE A RELIABLE SAFETY SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM. MY WIFE DRIVES THE CAR AND THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS OUR THIRD SEAT BELT THAT BROKE ON THIS VEHICLE. HOW CAN FORD ETHICALLY FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT PUTTING OUT A PRODUCT WHERE EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY HAS WORN OFF, THE PRODUCT IS NOT EVEN REMOTELY SAFE FOR MY WIFE AND CHILDREN BECAUSE THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT WORK. WE HAVE CONTACTED FORD BY LETTER AND BY PHONE AFTER EACH OF THE THREE INCIDENCES WHERE OUR SEAT BELTS HAVE BROKEN AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE EXPIRED WARRANTY. WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO TELL MY KIDS, "SORRY KIDS YOU HAVE USED UP YOUR ALLOTED WARRANTY TO RIDE SAFELY FROM NOW ON YOU WILL HAVE TO RIDE UNSAFE. THE LACK OF SEAT BELTS IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATHS IN THE STATE OF UTAH FOR PEOPLE FROM 0 TO 24 YEARS OF AGE. IN 1998, OVER 370 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN THE STATE OF UTAH IN MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES, 75% OF THOSE WERE NOT WEARING SEATBELTS. I DO NOT EVEN HAVE THE CHOICE BECAUSE THE SEATBELTS IN MY CAR ARE DEFECTIVE AND DO NOT WORK. WHAT IS FORD'S EXCUSE? I HAVE JUST PAID $350.00 TO GET ONE OF THE SEAT BELTS FIXED. AM I SUPPOSE TO TAKE OUT A LOAN TO FIX THE OTHER TWO BROKEN AND DEFECTIVE SEAT BELTS? I DO NOT FEEL SAFE HAVING MY WIFE AND CHILDREN IN FORD'S ESCORT. DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMETHING TRAGIC TO HAPPEN BEFORE SOMEONE AT FORD WILL LISTEN AND START MAKING VEHICLES WITH SAFE SEAT BELTS THAT ACTUALLY WORK? I WOULD

MOTOR FAILED. MJS

I WAS IN A NEAR HEAD-ON COLLSION, I DON'T THINK I WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED IF MY AIR BAG WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. IT WAS NOT DISCONNECTED, NOR HAS IT EVER BEEN MODIFIED, AND I HAVE HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED OF A RECALL. *AK

NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING FRONT END DAMAGE COLLISION. MJS

PASSIVE RESTRAINT SAFETY BELT MOTOR FAILED, WILL NOT MOVE INTO LOCK POSITION. MJS

TIMING BELT FAILED. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD NO RESPONSE WHEN ACCELERATOR PRESSED.

ANOTHER CAR HIT OWNERS VEHICLE AT 55MPH ON FRONT RIGHT SIDE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN INTO A RAVINE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. MECHANIC COULDN'T DECIDE WHY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON CONTINUALLY. CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON & STAYED. CONTACTED DEALER & INFORMED BY MECHANIC TO BRING VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS. PROBLEM NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. ANOTHER DEALERSHIP HAD INDICATED CODE 5-1 MEANS BLOWN FUSE OR ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE AIR BAG MODULE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES , THEY FAILED AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

IE98074; DRIVER'S SEATBELT IS INOPERATIVE DUE TO THE SEATBELT BEING "STUCK" IN THE A POSITION WHICH WON'T PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF A CRASH. NEEDS TO REPLACE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NO SUMMARY.

DURING ANNUAL INSPECTION OUR MECHANIC DISCOVERED AND FAILED THE CAR FOR SAFETY REASONS, THAT THE REAR SPRINGS WERE COLLAPSING ON OUR CAR. HE HAS INFORMED US THAT HIS SHOP HAS BEEN GETTING NUMEROUS ESCORT WAGONS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS OURS. HE HAS ADVISED US TO CALL THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE DEFECT OF THE SPRINGS. ALL THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT GET THEM FIXED ANYWAY AND SAVE THE BILL IN CASE OF A RECALL. OUR VEHICLE HAS 49,000 ODD MILES AND HAS NEVER CARRIED ANYTHING HEAVIER THAN 2 SUIT CASES, A PORT-A-CRIB AND SOME TOYS. IF IT WASN'T FOR A REPAIR SHOP SHOWING ME THE RECORDS OF REPLACEMENT COILS ON THE ESCORTS I WOULD NEVER HAVE THOUGHT OF DOING THIS. THE PROBLEM WITH THE COILS THEY ARE CRACKING AT THE BASE AT THE SUSPENSION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO LOSE OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON A GRAVELED DRIVEWAY, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER / MFR. NOTIFED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASH BLINKS DTC 32. SHOULD THE MFG. BE REQUIRED TO REPAIR THIS SAFETY RELATED DEFECT FREE OF CHARGE? *AK

DRIVER'S SIDE LAP BELT FAILED. MJS

RECALL 95S01. AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON. DEALER CONTACTED AND STATED NO RECALLS, REPLACEMENT AIRBAG NEEDED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK *ML

WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER FELL ASLEEP AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A CRASH. *AK

DEALERSHIP IS GIVING TROUBLE: FIXED UNDER WARRANTY BUT STILL HAVE TO PAY AROUND $250

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY

ON JUNE 22, 1999 CONSUMER'S MOTORIZED SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, RETRACTOR IS INOPERATIVE. *AK

VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 15 TO 20MPH, AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. IT EXPLODED AND TORE OFF THE STEERING COLUMN INTO HALF. DEALER SAID THAT IT WA S NORMAL FOR AN AIRBAG TO EXPLODE. *AK

SRS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. (IE98074) ALSO SHOULDER BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE HESITATES WHEN RETRACTING/REAR DEFROSTER SWITCH IS INOPERABLE. DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF PROBLEMS, PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

AIRBAG'S SENSOR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. ALSO A BUZZING NOISE AND A SMELL OF ELECTRICAL SMOKE CAME FROM THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE.

WHEN TRAVELING STEERING WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN MORE THAN A INCH. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN UNIT. ALSO NOTE THERE IS A RECALL LISTED FOR THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CAR LOST ALL POWER AND STALLED, WOULD NOT RESTART. CAR WAS TOWED TO GARAGE. WAS INFORMED BY THEM THE CAMSHAFT BROKE IN TWO PROBABLY DUE TO "BAD PART" THIS TOOK OUT THE HEAD WHEN IT BROKE AND BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED. I STILL HAVE THE BROKEN CAMSHAFT . HEAD WAS A EXCHANGE FOR THE REBUILT ONE. *AK

CONSUMER MOTORIZED SEAT BELT STICKS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACK, CAUSING BELT TO REST AGAINST CONSUMERS NECK, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY IF AN ACCIDENT ACCURED. *YC

CONSUMER WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION THAT CAUSED DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG CAUSED BURNS TO THE CONSUMER'S ARM. ALSO, FILLED THE VEHICLE WITH SMOKE.. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

MICHELIN P17565R14 BRAND NEW TIRES ARE CAUSING THE VEHICLE WHEELS TO LOCK UP AND SPIN AROUND IN WET SNOWY CONDITIONS. HAD 2 ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS MAKING NOISE WHEN CONSUMER STOPPED. CALLED A MECHANIC WHO HAD TOLD HER THAT COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN, AND IF SHE WAS DRIVING FASTER THE TIRE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

I KNOW THIS DRIVERSIDE SEAT BELT IS A PROBLEM NOT ONLY WITH MYSELF BUT WITH OTHERS ALSO. IN FACT, I HAVE TWO FRIENDS THAT HAVE 94--95 ESCORTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SELTBELT IS OFF TRACK, AND I CAN'T USE IT PROPERLY. I WENT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY BRUSHED ME OFF. EVEN AFTER TELLING THEM OF THE OTHER 2 ESCORTS. PLEASE DO SOME RESEARCH ON THIS MATTER. THANKS, LAUREN HEBERT. *AK

CONSUMER CANNOT FIND ANYONE TO PERFORM AIRBAG ON/OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY.

THE MANIFOLD TO THE AIR CONDITIONER BLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING. ALSO POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND, THERE WERE NO BRAKES WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AIR BAG CAME OUT, BUT DID NOT INFLATE. THE NEXT DAY WHEN DRIVER CHECKED VEHICLE AIR BAG WAS INFLATED,THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE COME OUT ORIGINALLY. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY.

MY SHOULDER BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND WENT FORWARD AS NORMAL WHEN I OPENED MY DOOR AND THEN WHEN I WENT TO RESHUT THE DOOR THE SHOULDER BELT HAD FAILED TO GO ALL THE WAY BACK. IT STOPPED ABOUT 3/4 WAY BACK. I HAD READ THE MANUEL AND DID THE PROCEDURES LISTED IN THE OWNERS MANUEL. THIS DIDN'T HELP THE PROBLEM. I HAD TO PULL THE FUSE APART THAT IS LOCATED IN THE WHOLE BETWEEN THE FRONT DOOR AND THE BACK DOOR ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. I ABSOLUTELY FEEL THAT THIS IS A MECHANICAL FAILURE. I KNOW ATLEAST THREE INDIVIDUALS THAT THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THEIR DRIVERS SIDE SHOULDER BELT, AND IT FAILED IN THE SAME EXACT SPOT. THIS IS TO WEIRD. I HAD CALLED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE LADY THAT I HAD SPOKE WITH HAD TOLD ME THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THE SHOULDER BELTS. SHE SAID THAT SHE HAS HEARD ABOUT THIS FAILURE ON THE ESCORTS BEFORE, AND EVEN THAT MORNING SHE HAD SOMEONE CALL IN WITH A COMPLAINT THAT THIS HAPPENED ON THEIR FORD VAN. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL INVESTIGATE INTO THIS A LITTLE FURTHER BECAUSE IT REALLY SOUNDS LIKE A MECHANICAL FAILURE TO ME. I AM A SINGLE PARENT AND CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THIS REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS RELATIVELY A VERY EXPENSIVE PART TO HAVE REPLACED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, FENDER WAS BENT, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER COULDN'T USE THE HORN DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING, DRIVER'S AIR BAG IS LOCATED ON THE SPACE WHERE THE HORN IS, AND HORN DOESN'T WORK. *AK *ML

RECALL 94V218000.95S01. VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL IMPACT ACCIDENT AT 25MPH, FRONT FRAME RAIL WAS BENT IN CRASH, AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY ON THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT TRACK FAILED TO WORK. THE SEAT BELT WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACK. I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE '94 ESCORT. I WAS CHARGED $228.71 TO REPAIR THIS. I BELEIVE THAT A SEAT BELT IS A NESSECITY AND IT SHOULD BE EXPTECTED TO WORK FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. AERO FORD TOLD ME THAT AS OF YET THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL, AND THAT I HAD TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED. I AM NOT BLAMING THE DEALER; I THINK FORD MOTOR CO. SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR MY EXPENSE. THANK YOU. *AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. ALSO DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK

THE FRONT AUTOMATIC PASSENGER SEATBELT SENSOR STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY AFTER THE FORD DEALERSHIP (CHARLIE HENDERSON FORD IN WAVELAND, MS) REPLACED THE RETRACTING UNIT IN THE PASSENGER DOOR AT 16000 MILES DUE TO A BROKEN SEATBELT HARNESS LOCK. IT IS CAUSING THE SEATBELT TO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY WHEN THE PASSENGER CAR DOOR IS OPENED OR CLOSED. THE FORD DEALER TOLD ME THE SENSOR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE SAFETY WARRANTY (5YRS OR 50,000 MI) ALTHOUGH THE SENSOR CONTROLLED THE AUTOMATIC SAFETY RESTRAINTS. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE FORD COMPANY THRU THEIR DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS I FEARED THE SEATBELT MIGHT GET STUCK IN THE CHANNEL AND MY FEARS WERE JUSTIFIED. THE DRIVERSIDE SENSOR WENT OUT JUST BEFORE 50000 MI, LOCKED IN THE CHANNEL, AND CAUSED THE RETRACTOR CABLE TO COME OUT OF THE SEALED CABLE CHANNEL. THE DRIVERSIDE SHOULDER HARNESS IS NOW LOCKED IN FRONT OF THE RETRACTOR CHANNEL AND NOT IN THE PROPER SAFETY POSITION TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE DRIVER AS IT IS STUCK MIDWAY IN THE CHANNEL. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY BUT THEY SAID I WAS OUT ON MY OWN AS I WAS NOW PAST 50000 MI. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I NEED YOUR HELP.

THIS VEHICLE HAS TOTALLY INADEQUATE BRAKES. THIS IS THE ONLY NON-ABS CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED WHERE THE BRAKES CANNOT BE LOCKED UPINTENTIONALLY AT ANY SPEED. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS AND ALL THEY DID WAS BLEED AND CLEAN THE BRAKES. I HAVE HAD BRAKE PADS AND SHOES REPLACED, THE ENTIRE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLED, NEW MASTER CYLINDER INSTALLED, PEDAL AND BOOSTER CLEARANCES CHECKED. NOTHING MAKES A DIFFERENCE. I HAVE SEEN FROM YOUR OTHER DEFECT REPORTS THAT THERE IS A 'REVISED POWER BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER' AVAILABLE. HOWEVER, WHEN I CONTACT THE DEALERS PARTS AND SERVICE DEPARTMENTS THEY DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU!