1997 Ford Escort complaints

BRAKES FAILED. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC SAID THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DRIVELINE. *AK

VEHICLE FIRE INVOLVING 1997 FORD ESCORT.*MR AFTER INCIDENT OCCURRED A RECALL WAS ISSUED ADVISING A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN AIR BAGS AND AIR BAG MODULES. HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF SEVERE DAMAGES SO THE DEALERSHIP VOIDED THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT FORD RE -ACTIONS WHERE UNACCEPTABLE, AND IS REQUESTING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE LOSS DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE SAFETY RECALL LETTER ISSUED IS (O2S44). PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *CB

IT WAS FOUND DURING AN INSPECTION THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. *AK *PH *JB

HORN SOUNDS INTERMITTENTLY ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ANY ONE TOUCHING THE MECHANISM.*AK *PH *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HOWEVER, TWO WEEKS LATER WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. *AK

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING A DOG, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *JB THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE AND THE AIR BAG HIT THE CONSUMER IN THE CHEST AND BRUISED OTHER AREAS. *SCC *JB

1997 FORD ESCORT REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN AFTER 60K MILES.*AK

I PURCHASED A NEW 1997 FORD ESCORT IN SEPTEMBER 1996. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WAS LOSING BRAKE FLUID. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE FITTING WAS MISSING SOME THREADS. DEALER FIXED PROBLEM. THIS PAST JANUARY I GOT A LETTER FROM FORD ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG MONITOR/SENSOR PROBLEM AND HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THAT PROBLEM CORRECTED. NOW THE CAR HAS A SLOW COOLANT LEAK. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING. THE CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 62,850 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED. IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $800.00 - $1000.00 TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. I FEEL THIS HEAD GASKET FAILURE IS PREMATURE AND FORD SHOULD PAY FOR IT. THIS WAS THE FIRST FORD VEHICLE I EVER PURCHASED AND IT WILL PROBABLY BE THE LAST. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THEY CANNOT PUT A $14,000 CAR TOGETHER CORRECTLY AND ASSURE ITS QUALITY TO LAST. I LOOKED AT SOME OF THE SERVICE BULLETINS AND PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE REGARDING THE 1997 FORD ESCORT AND THEY ARE DISTRESSING TO SAY THE LEAST. MY NEXT VEHICLE WILL BE A GM PRODUCT.*AK

THE DEALER AND VARIOUS FORD OFFICERS WERE UNWILLING TO PERFORM RECALL 02S44. *PH *NLM *JB

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.*JB

HORN ACTIVATED ON ITS OWN AND STUCK ON. EVENTUALLY BOTH HORNS FAILED. PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE HORN PAD SWITCH WHICH IS PART OF THE DRIVER AIR BAG. REPLACING THE HORNS AND AIR BAG COSTS IN EXCESS OF $800.*AK

THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATED A RUBBER PIECE WAS LOOSE INSIDE THE ENGINE. *AK THE DAMP ASSEMBLY SEPARATED AND MOVED FORWARD INTO THE FENDER WALL THROUGH THE SERPENTINE BELT. *SCC *JB

HEATER CORE LEAKED ONTO THE AIRBAG MONITOR WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE AND SHORT CIRCUITED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *AK

HORN MALFUNCTIOED, ,DOES NOT STOP,HAD TO PULL FUSE OUT. *AK

THE VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, WHICH CASUED THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOY. ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS THE MANUAL THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT SUPPOSE TO DEPLOY UNLESS THERE WAS SEVERE IMPACT TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *CB *JB

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATES HIGHWAY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. SHE SMELLED SMOKE, AND LOOKED DOWN, AND THERE WERE FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH. DASH BURNED UP. SHE HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, BUT HE DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, JUST SAID IT WAS THE DASHBOARD. *AK

AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND FIRE MELTED DASH. *AK

WE HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE REAR END. TOOK TO THE MECHANIC AND THE REAR SPRINGS ARE COMPLETELY SHATTERED.*AK

I WAS DRIVING MY 1997 FORD ESCORT AT 70MPH DOWN INTERSTATE 75 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WHEELS LOCKED UP. HERE TO FIND OUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS WHAT LOCKED UP THE GEARS JUST LOCKED UP TIGHT CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK. I AM 48 YEARS OLD AND HAVE A CDL DRIVERS LICENSE. I DRIVE A 40FT. BOOKMOBILE EVERYDAY FOR A LIVING. MY COMPLAINT IS FORD NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS BECAUSE A LESS EXPERIANCED DRIVER WOULD HAVE ROLLED THE CAR OR BEEN RUN OVER BY OTHER TRAFFIC. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED WITH A USED ONE AT A COST OF 887.24. I CONTACTED FORD 2 TIMES AND THEY DO NOT CARE. JUST TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL SO THE PROBLEM WAS ALL MINE.*AK

THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A FOLLOW UP TO A LETTER WHICH WAS SENT REGARDING A VEHICLE FIRE. *MR *TS *JB

CONSUMER NOTICED A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM.*AK

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STALLING OUT.*MR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO IDLE AND ALMOST STALL AT EVERY STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE FIVE TIMES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *TS. THE SPARK WIRES WERE REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WAS CLEANED, THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED, THE DEALER THEN DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS CARBON BUILD UP, AND IT WAS EXPLAINED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN THE NEW HEADS SHOULD HAVE REVISED VALVE GUIDES AND EXHAUST VALVES TO PREVENT CARBON BUILD UP *JB

CONSUMER REQUESTING RESTITUTION FOR A HOUSE FIRE THAT WAS CAUSED BY A VEHICLE FIRE.*MR *TS. PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BRAKES SQUEAKING. *JB

REAR SPRINGS ON MY ESCORT I BELIEVE TO BE CHEAPLY MADE. BOTH HAVE BUSTED. I HAVE FOUND THAT MY ESCORT IS NOT THE ONLY ONE. THERE ARE MANY OTHER ESCORTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

PROBLEMS WITH WIRING HARNESS RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE. *MR WHILE THE CONSUMER PROCEEDED THROUGH A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACT ERRATICALLY, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT LATER CAUGHT FIRE AWAITING DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THIS FAILURE BUT THE CONSUMER DIDN'T RECEIVED THE NOTICED PRIOR TO THE FIRE (RECALL # 02V323000). THE CONSUMER ALSO REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SCC *NLM

ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS CAUSED BY AN OIL SENSOR FAILURE DUE TO A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN WHICH RUSTED THE BELTS PER MECHANIC.*AK

I HAD TAKEN MY 1997 FORD ESCORT IN FOR ITS ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION, WHERE MY REAR SPRINGS WERE REPLACED AT MY COST. THE MECHANIC WORKING ON MY CAR HAD FOUND THAT BOTH OF THE ORIGINAL FACTORY REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN DIRECTLY BELOW THEIR PLASTIC COVERING ABOUT ONE-FIFTH FROM THE TOP OF THE SPRING. HE HAD SAID THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL ESCORTS THAT HE HAD WORKED ON THAT HAD THE SAME BREAKAGE AT THE SAME SECTION OF EACH OF THE REAR SPRINGS. HE HAD ADVISED ME TO CHECK TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS POSTED ON THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ALSO TOLD TO BUY A NEW SET OF REAR TIRES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AS MY PRESENT ONES HAVE IRREGULAR WEAR. *JB I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS OR WILL BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.

RECALL 02V323000, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT AFTER HAVING RECALL DONE FOR INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR CONTAMINATION DEALER HAD INSTALLED THE SHIELD OVER THE IABM ,AND APPLIED NYOGEL GREASE TO THE CONNECTOR ONE MONTH AFTER CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE WIRES. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONSTANTLY. CONSUMER HAD RECEIVED A RECALL WHICH IT STATED THAT VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE A SHELL ON TOP OF THE CABLE SO THAT AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON, BUT AFTER SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GET IT FIXED THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE. DEALER WILL ONLY FIX IT IF THE CONSUMER PAYS FOR IT.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 02V323000 CONCERNING INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR CONTAMINATION. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON 6/17/2003. WHEN THE OWNER RECEIVED THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST HAS TO BE DONE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. CONSUMER REQUESTED A CALL FROM THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER.*AK

EXPLOSION SOUND HEARD UNDER DASHBOARD OF VEHICLE, CONSUMER SUSPECTED PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAGS. *MR THE EXPLOSION WAS HEARD ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. DEALER STATED WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO OPEN THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. FIVE YEARS LATER, CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE AIR BAGS. *TT *JB

WHILE TRAVELING 65-70 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, DAMAGING WINDSHIELD.*AK

FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, SUDDENLY THE RIGHT AXLE BROKE ,DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION/ STEERING WHEEL, FORCING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

THE RECALL AIR BAG FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (RECALL NUMBER 02V323000). THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE CONSUMERS DRIVEWAY WHEN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. *MR *SCC *NLM

CONSUMER NOTICED CRACKS ON TOP OF FIRESTONE TIRES DUE TO DRY ROTTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

SIDE COLLISION TO VEHICLE AND BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING INJURIES. *MR

I BOUGHT A 1997 FORD ESCORT WAGON NEW AND LOVE IT AND HAS ONLY 30000 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY I HAD A PROBLEM WITH STEERING THE VEHICLE SO I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME I NEEDED NEW TIE ROD ENDS AND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. AS I DO NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE HARD AND DO NOT HAUL ANYTHING EXCEPT MY PUPPY AND GROCERIES, I HAD A HARD TIME BELIEVING THIS. SO I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER GARAGE AND ANOTHER MECHANIC TOLD ME THE SAME THING AND SHOWED IT TO ME. I AM NO LONGER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS UNSAFE AND THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE PLACED ON A RECALL LIST AND FIXED BY FORD FREE OF CHARGE. NEITHER ME OR MY HUSBAND HAVE EVER HAD THIS HAPPEN AND WE FEEL THAT DEFINITELY THIS HAS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE SO THAT I CAN KNOW WHICH DIRECTION TO PURSUE THIS MATTER, A.E., NEWSPAPERS, TV STATIONS, ETC. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *JB

THE VEHICLES AIR BAG CAUGHT ON FIRE. *NLM

REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE CRACKED - BOTH SIDES. VEHICLE ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. USED IN PRIMARILY IN CITY, RUNNING ERRANDS - FOR RETIRED COUPLE. ALSO: LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END IS WORN OUT AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAUSES A VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND ALSO RATTLES WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS (<1") AT LOW SPEEDS (<10 MPH). *JB

THE REAR SUSPENSION IN MY CAR IS ALL OUT OF WHACK. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE REAR SPRINGS. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS LIKE WITH REAR SUSPENSION IN THESE CARS. I DRIVE AN ESCORT WAGON. I DON'T GO OFF ROADING SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE REAR SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. SEEMS LIKE THIS COULD BE AN ISSUE OF A FAULTY PART OR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. WHEN I HAVE PEOPLE IN THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR THE HANDLING IS AWFUL AND I HAVE TO GO REALLY SLOW OVER ANY SORT OF BUMP BECAUSE THE CAR WILL BOTTOM OUT! JUST THOUGHT OTHERS MAY BE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. *NLM

LTR FM AGNES VANANTWERP (FL) MR THE CONSUMER SEEKED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR OF LEAKAGE IN THE EVAPORATOR WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE AIR BAG MONITOR DOT 2003-2332. SINCE THEN, THERE WAS CONDENSATION IN THE A/C WHEN IN USE AND CAUSED THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO FILL WITH WATER. SCC *JB

MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. SHE AND MY TWO CHILDREN WERE CHOPPERED TO A TRAUMA UNIT. MY 10 WEEK OLD SON WAS IN THE EVENFLO ON MY WAY SYSTEM AND THE BASE BROKE APART UPON IMPACT. THE SYSTEM HELD HIM IN PLACE, BUT MY CONCERN IS WITH THE BASE BREAKING APART. MODEL#4921B7P2 MANUFACTURED 14 JAN98. *JB

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR RECALL REPAIRS ON THE AIR BAG MODULE ON 5/5/2003 TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO THE REPAIRS WITHOUT AN EXPLANATION. ON 5/8/2003 THE AIR BAG MODULE SHORT CIRCUITED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. RECALL # 02V323000. *JB

THE HORN ACTIVATED BY ITSELF WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. *NLM

THE VEHICLES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND GIVEN A TUNE UP. A DAY LATER THE ENGINE SIEZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TOT HE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE. *NLM

PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FUSE BLOWN ALONG WITH TAIL LIGHT, TURN SIGNAL, BRAKE LIGHT AND RADIO NOT FUNCTIONING. FOUND MELTED WIRES UNDER DASH BY THE FUSE BLOCK MAKING THE IGNITION BELL RING WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION. SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER DASH. SERVICE DEALER CLAIMS IT WILL BE IN EXCESS OF $2000.00 TO REPAIR.*JB

THE AIR BAG BURNED THE VEHICLES DASH. THIS OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE CONSUMER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTIFICATION (RECALL NUMBER 02V-323000). *NLM

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED 3 TO 4 MINUTES LATER, AND THEN SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE AIR BAGS. *JB

NAR 04/28/2003 MR THE CONSUMER RECIEVED SAFETY RECALL #(02S44) REGARDING AIR BAG MONITORS. PRIOR TO THAT THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING ON, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE REPAIRS MADE AND IT COST OVER $500.00 FOR A PROBLEM THAT MAY HAVE ALREADY EXISTED IN REFERENCE TO THE RECALL. *CB