1995 Ford Escort complaints

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. RECALL 97V145000 WAS ISSUED BY FORD CONCERNING GAS TANK LEAKAGE. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED HE SMELLED GAS AND WHEN HE LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE HE DISCOVERED GAS WAS LEAKING FROM THE TANK ONTO THE HEAT SHIELD AND THE EXHAUST. *JB

FUEL TANK OF A 1995 FORD ESCORT, VIN [XXX] IS LEAKING GAS FROM HEAT SHIELD MOUNTS ON FUEL TANK. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM OF ESCORTS IN THIS YEAR, AND FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON 64,000 ESCORTS CITING A POSSIBILITY OF LEAKING FUEL RESULTING IN FIRE. ALTHOUGH MY ESCORT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1995, HAS THE 1.9L ENGINE, WAS MANUFACTURED IN THE AFFECTED HERMOSILLO, MEXICO PLANT, AND WAS SOLD IN THE COVERED STATE OF FLORIDA, BOTH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND AND FORD'S NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE STATE MY VIN IS INELIGIBLE FOR RECALL SERVICE. THEY STATE IT IS MOST LIKELY NARROWED EVEN FURTHER TO SPECIFIC DATES, BUT NEITHER DEALERSHIP NOR FORD THEMSELVES ARE WILLING TO LOOK INTO THE MATTER, AND NEITHER CAN STATE WITH SURELY THE CAR IS NOT COVERED. THE NHTSA RECALL IN QUESTION IS RECALL NUMBER 97V144000. *NM UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

FUEL TANK LEAK FORD STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED RECALL #97V144000 & 97V145000 GAS TANK IS LEAKING UNDER REAR PASSENGER

DT: THE VEHICLE IS A 1995 FORD ESCORT, WITH THE ENGINE SIZE OF 1.9 LITTERS ESI. ON 6-29-05 THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL. SHE HAD TO GET A WRECKER TO TAKE IT TO THE REYNOLDS FORD DEALER 7320 NORTHWEST EXPRESSWAY OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 71312 PH. NO. 405-728-2411. AFTERWARDS SHE HAD FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE ON THE YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF HER VEHICLE; NHTSA CAMPAIGN I. D. NO. 97V145000 AND 97V144000. WHEN HER HUSBAND CONTACTED THE DEALER BY PHONE THEY TOLD HIM THEY KNEW NOTHING OF THE RECALLS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE FORD MANUFACTURER AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON THE VIN NO. OF HER VEHICLE AND THAT IT WAS TEN YEARS OLD. THERE ARE NO OTHER KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT LX. SHE HAS HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH SOME OF THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WHEN SHE TOUCHED THE CAR IT WOULD SHOCK HER, ESPECIALLY WHILE TOUCHING THE MEDAL SIDE OF THE CAR, AND COULD HEAR THE SOUND OF IT SHOCK HER. ALSO, COULD SMELL SOME TYPE OF CHEMICAL IN THE VEHICLE, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD HER THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM IT COULD BE THE SPARK PLUGS, BALANCING OF THE CAR. SINCE SHE HAS HAD THE VEHICLE SHE COULD NOT USE THE ALARM SYSTEM BECAUSE IT WORE OUT THE BATTERY. THERE WAS VIBRATION IN THE CAR SOMETIMES IT WOULD NOT START. THESE PROBLEMS OCCURRED EVEN THE FIRST WEEK AFTER SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ESCORT. SHE STATED THAT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. SHE PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, AND WHEN SHE DONE THIS IT EXPLODED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. EVERYTHING GOT JAMMED UP AFTER THIS, EVEN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER STATED THAT HE HAD A HARD TIME TOWING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO FORD DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THAT THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM.*AK

DT: CONTACT STATES GAS IS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE GAS TANK IN THE PLACE WHERE A PARTICULAR RECALL ON THIS MAKE AND MODELS. IT WILL LEAK A HEAT SHIELD SCREW HAS PUNCTURED THE TANK. IT SEEMS TO FIT ALL CRITERIA FOR THIS CAR, INCLUDING WHERE THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. *AK

SEAT BELTS FAILED (CAME OFF TRACK) HEATER WIRING FAILED

WHILE STANDING IDLE FOR MORE THAN THREE HOURS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, WITH THE DASHBOARD AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT FULLY ENGULFED. ALTHOUGH EXACT CAUSE OF MALFUNCTION HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED, THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER HAVE JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED 5 TIMES ON MY CAR. I'M A SINGLE MOM AND ON LIMITED INCOME AND HAVE HAD TO GO WITHOUT CAR MONTHS AT A TIME. I HAVE TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED FOR AROUND $150 EACH TIME PLUS TOWING. I HAVE NOT KEPT THE OLD PARTS BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW I NEEDED TO. ON THIS SAME CAR THE TIMING BELT HAS GONE OUT TWICE SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT, FOR THREE YEARS NOW. IS THIS DUE TO THE CAR OR IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WHEN REPAIRED?

BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT MOTORS ARE INOPERATIVE ON THE 1995 FORD ESCORT. *BF *SC *JB

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 97V144000; FORD ISSUED A FUEL TANK RECALL. THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT EXPERIENCED A LEAKAGE FROM THE GAS TANK. *AK...*AK

THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IN MY FORD ESCORT 95 HAS BEEN BROKEN. THE PERSON I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID IT WAS THAT WAY FOR A LONG TIME, BECAUSE OF THE TRACT FAILURE. *JB

-DOOR LOCK ON DRIVERS SIDE IS NOT WORKING. -IT IS NOT LOCKING, AND IT JUST STOPPED WORKING -HAVEN'T FIXED IT YET. *JB

REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN, TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT ITS A COMMON PROBLEM. *JB

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH AND A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY COMPLETELY. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BAGS CAME OUT, BUT DID NOT INFLATE COMPLETELY, CAUSING DRIVER TO SUSTAIN A CONCUSSION. *AK

FAILURE OF POWER ASSISTED SHOULDER HARNESS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS UPPER BODY INJURY. I REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ASSEMBLE WITH ONE FROM AN AUTO SALVAGE YARD BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE OF A NEW ONE ($265.00).*AK

THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE . NO UNUSUAL IMPACT REPORTED. *AK...ROAD CONSTRUCTION ALL SUMMER, MANY IMPACTS OF VARIED AMPLITUDE AND DURATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP WHERE THEY REPLACED A PLASTIC SENSOR, WHICH HAD MELTED ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

THE HEAT SHIELD CONNECTED TO THE FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED THE GAS TANK. . THE CONSUMER HAD THE TANK REPAIRED AT HIS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURE STATES THE VEHICLE IS INTO INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.. 97V145000

RECALL 97V144000 WAS RELATED TO A FUEL TANK CRACK. THE CONSUMER NOTICED A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK WHICH WAS CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.*AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS FAILURE SHOULD BE REPAIRED UNDER HTE RECALL. *NM

FUEL STARTED LEAKING. CAR TAKEN TO GARAGE. GARAGE DETERIMINED THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK CRACKED NEAR A RETAINER FITTING AT THE FRONT OF THE TANK DIRECTLY UNDER THE CENTER OF THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE SAFETY RECALL STATUS. THIS PROBLEM IS NOTED BY FORD AS A SFETY RECALL BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE BY VIRTUE OF ITS VIN. I LIVE IN SOUTH TEXAS WITH ALL OF THE ASSOCIATED HIGH TEMPERATURES IDENTIFIED IN FORD'S RESEARCH AND SAFETY INVESTIGATIONS INTO THESE TANK FAILURES. DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE TANK AS A SAFETY RECALL. PLASE ADVISE WHAT I DO NEXT. CAR IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE.*AK

BOTH FRONT SEAT RETRACTOR MOTORS/TRACKS HAVE FAILED, RESULTING IN FRONT SEAT BELTS INOPERABLE. BELTS STUCK IN PARTIAL RETRACTED MODE RESULTING IN SHOULDER BELTS NOT CORRECTLY POSITIONED TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER. ONE BELT IS POSITIONED IF USED WOULD COME ACROSS THE SEATED PERSON'S NECK. IF THIS WHERE A MANUAL SEATBELT SYSTEM THERE WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO MANUALLY LOCK THE SHOULDER BELT IN THE PROPER POSITION DUE TO THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM EMPLOYED IN THIS VEHICLE AND IT'S FAILURE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IT HAD 90158 ACTUAL MILES. THE USED CAR DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE RESOLVED WITH THE INSTALLATION OF "SALVAGE" PARTS SINCE THE EXPENSE OF REPAIRING THE SEAT BELTS BY "FORD" WOULD EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONFIRM THIS BY TALKING WITH THE REPAIR DEPARTMENTS AT SEVERAL FORD DEALERS IN THE AREA. TALKING WITH A NUMBER INDEPENDANT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS IN THE AREA THIS IS A "COMMON PROBLEM" WITH THESE VEHICLES, HOWEVER FORD WILL NOT HONOR REPAIR OF THIS "SAFETY" ISSUE. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THIS IS ALSO A COMMON PROBLEM. I HAVE OBSERVED THAT YOUR SITE HAS AN NUMBER OF THE SAME OR SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF NHTSA CONSIDERS THIS A "PASSENGER SAFETY ISSUE" REQUIRING A RECALL, OR DOES DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY HAVE TO OCCUR BEFORE AN ACTION IS TAKEN? SEVERAL COMMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE ON LINE THAT BECAUSE HIS IS A "PASSENGER SAFETY ISSUE" INVOLVING A "REQUIRED SAFET

GAS TANK LEAKS. I NOTIFIED FORD. THEY SAID SORRY, BUT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO FIX IT. IN FACT I NOTIFIED THEM TWICE. I PUT AN INCIDENT DATE IN BELOW BECAUSE IT WAS REQUIRED BUT I REALLY DON'T REMEMBER WHEN THIS LEAK STARTED.*AK

THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE FOUND BROKEN (BOTH), THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE WHEN TURNING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND AS A RESULT, THE FRONT TIRE WAS PUNCTURED. THERE WAS A SAG IN THE FRONT END. THE DATE OF THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS 04/01/2002. *AK *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. DRIVER'S SEAT BELTSNAPPED IN HALF, AND CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *AK

SMELL OF GASOLINE INITIALLY NOTED. APPEARANCE OF GASOLINE UNDER VEHICLE FOLLOWING FILLING OF TANK PROMPTED INVESTIGATION OF SOURCE OF GASOLINE SMELL AND LEAK. *NM NO CONSEQUENCES RESULTED FROM LEAKAGE OF GASOLINE. SOURCE OF GASOLINE SMELL/LEAK WAS TRACED TO DETERIORATED HOSE BETWEEN FILLER PIPE AND GASOLINE TANK. HOSE HAD BECOME BRITTLE AND CRACKED NEAR CONNECTION TO GASOLINE TANK. HOSE WAS REPLACED WITH STANDARD FUEL HOSE PURCHASED FROM RETAIL PARTS STORE. HOSE THAT WAS REMOVED IS AVAILABLE.

HAD TO REPLACE GAS TANK DUE TO LEAK ON 8-02, NOW IT IS LEAKING AGAIN ON 5-04 WITH SAME PROBLEM. FORD MOTOR CO. WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT EXCEPT INSTALL ANOTHER AT MY EXPENSE. APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE COMPANY. A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE OF THE EXHAUST SO CLOSE TO THE TANK. I HAVE HAD NO FIRES, BECAUSE THE MINUTE I SMELLED GAS I PARKED THE CARE UNTIL IT COULD BE FIXED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DRIVER SMELLED GAS COMING FROM THE REAR. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE DRIVER NOTICED THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING GAS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC TANK AT THE SUPPORT FOR THE HEAT SHIELD. THE GAS LEAKED DOWN THE TANK AND WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST PIPE. RECALL#97V144000. *SC *JB

CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL ODOR WHILE DRIVING. SHE EXAMINED FUEL TANK AND NOTICED THAT WALL WAS CRACKED AND LEAKED GAS. DEALER INDICATED THERE WAS A RECALL IN THIS ISSUE. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

FAILURE IN THE DRIVERS SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS MECHANISM ALLOWING ONLY THE LAP BELT TO BE USED. DEALERSHIP STATES IT'S AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE TO BE CORRECTED AT MY EXPENSE. I FEEL THIS IS WRONG AS THE HARNESS IS A REQUIRED SAFETY FEATURE.

THE DRIVER'S SIDE RETRACTABLE SHOULDER HARNESS HAS FAILED AND NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. IT LOCKED IN THE MID-TRACK POSITION CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT DRIVING AND SAFETY HAZARD. THE BELT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 49,000 MILES BY GRASS VALLEY FORD, CA, UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS AGAIN FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER AT 98,000 MILES. FORD WILL NOT REPLACE THE RESTRAINT AFTER 50,000 MILES UNLESS THE CUSTOMER PAYS FOR IT. I GUESS THEY DON'T MIND THE LIABILITY INVOLVED WITH LAWSUITS AND INJURIES CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE BELTS. FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE EVERY BROKEN SEATBELT TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM A KNOWN FAULTY DESIGN THAT HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THIS SHOULD BE A MANDATORY RECALL BY NHTSA!!!*AK

WE ARE RETIRED AND HAVE A 95 FORD ESCORT STATION WAGON, GARAGE KEPT. IN AUGUST OF 2003 WE NOTICED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN OUR GARAGE, WHICH IS PART OF THE BASEMENT. IT WAS SO STRONG AT TIMES I DID NOT USE THE ELECTRIC DOOR OPENER. I CHECKED MANY TIMES AND COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. ABOUT THIS TIME I ALSO NOTICED I WAS NOT GETTING AS GOOD AS GAS MILEAGE AS I USED TO. ON THANKGIVING DAY, I WENT TO MY LOCAL GAS STATION, AND FILLED THE TANK AS I ALWAYS DO. I THEN WENT INSIDE TO GET A NEWS PAPER. WHEN I CAME OUT I NOTICED A LARGE WET SPOT UNDER THE MIDDLE OF THE CAR, MAYBE ABOUT 3 FT IN DIA. I THOUGHT SOMEONE SPILLED SOMETHING THERE. I WENT HOME AND I STARTED TO THINK ABOUT IT. I WENT BACK DOWN TO THE GARAGE, STARTED TO CHECK THE TANK, AND FOUND THE FUEL FILLER PIPE RUSTED OUT NEAR THE TOP. 1.5 INCH BY ABOUT 8 INCH. SO WHEN I FILLED THE TANK, THE FUEL NOZZLE WAS ALSO PUTTING FUEL OUT THE ROTTED OUT AREA, WHICH THEN RAN DOWN A PLASTIC SHIELD AND RAN ON THE GROUND, WHERE YOU WOULD NOT SEE IT IF YOU JUST FUELED THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER AND TOLD HIM I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A FORD DISTRICT REP. LOOK AT IT. THE SERVICE REP HARDLY LOOKED UP AND SAID THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I TOLD HIM THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WHEN THE CAR HAS THE ORGINAL EXHAUST SYSTEM, BUT THE FILLER PIPE RUSTED OUT. I HAD THEM REPLACE IT. THEY CHARGED ME FOR TWO HOURS OF LABOR, WHEN THEY ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR ONE HOUR, AND ONLY SPENT 45 MINUTES WORKING ON THE JOB. WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED THE JOB AN

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL REGARDING FUEL TANK. CONSUMER NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN VEHICLE WAS PARKED. INSPECTION WAS MADE, AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKAGES COMING FROM THE CRACK ON THE TAB OFF THE HEAT SHIELD, WHICH WAS MOLDED INTO THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

AUTOMATIC SHOULDER SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT BACK INTO LOCKING POSITION, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR CONSUMER TO WEAR PROPERLY A SEAT BELT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE SHIFTING GEARS VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS .*AK

ENGINE DEVELOPED A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. THE ONLY REASON IT COST 600.00 WAS THAT I REPAIRED IT MYSELF. SEATBELTS AND TRANSMISSION HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED.

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 EXP

THE FUEL TANK BEGAN LEAKING GAS DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN OF THE PLASTIC TANK. THERE IS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT FROM SOME UNKNOWN REASON THIS CAR'S VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH IT WAS BUILT IN HERMOSILLO, MEXICO AND IS CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CALIFORNIA WHICH ARE BOTH CRITERIA OF THE RECALL. I CONTACTED FORDS CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPT. AND THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE OR EXPLAIN WHY IT IS NOT INCLUDED WITH THE RECALL.

DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT WILL NOT ENGAGE. INTERIOR LIGHT WILL NOT WORK.

THE CONSUMER SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR WHEN IN THE GARAGE. THE CONSUMER THEN NOTICED THE FUEL MILEAGE DROPPED OFF. WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO GET GAS AND RETURNED, HE NOTICED A WET SPOT UNDER THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME HE EXAMINED THE FUEL TANK AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL FILLER PIPE CAP WAS CORRODED AND RUSTED.*AK *JB

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT MOTORIZED SEAT BELT PROBLEM. THE SEAT BELT FROZE ON THE TRACK IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD. HOWEVER, FORD STATED THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING, AND WOULD CHARGE CONSUMER AN ASTRONOMICAL FEE TO REPAIR THE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT. *AK

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

TWICE IN THE ROAD LIFE OF THIS VEHICLE, THE REAR SPRINGS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT USED FOR OFFROAD DRIVING NOR IS IT USED TO HAUL HEAVY LOADS.*AK

CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED GAS FUMES COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED GAS LEAKING FROM THE GAS TANK. THE CONSUMER SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE, VEHICLE OWNER CITED BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES FOR BELT VIOLATION. *LA

UPON RECEIVING SAFETY INSPECTION, WAS INFORMED THAT REAR COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN. *LA

1995 FORD ESCORT STATION WAGON - REAR SPRINGS CRACKED AND RUSTED THROUGH CRACKED AREAS. REPLACED AND NO COMPENSATION BY FORD FOR DEFECTS. FORD MOTOR REFUSED TO OFFER ANY COMPENSATION FOR THE DEFECTIVE REAR SPRINGS. *LA

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH HEARD A PUFF, LOOKED DOWN, AND SAW A FLAM COMING OUT FROM UNDER VEHICLE. HE GOT OUT, AND STARTED TO PULL AS MUCH AS HE COULD OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN HIS FRIEND CAME ALONG, WHO WAS DRIVING A WATER TRUCK, AND THEY TOGETHER PUT THE FLAMES OUT. CONSUMER HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE HE WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER.*AK

THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SYMPTOMS OF RECALLS #97V144000 AND RECALL#97V145000 RELATED TO A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS A RECALL THAT DID NOT INCLUDE NEW MEXICO. *AK *NLM