Page 5 of 11 · complaints 201–250 of 543

1997 Ford Escort complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1997 record →

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Nov 12, 200232,700 milesCT

THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE CRACKED. *MR *NLM

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Nov 7, 2002WV

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. TS

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Oct 24, 2002MD

THE BACK SEAT BELTS WHICH HAVE NEVER BEEN USED TO JUST RECENT TO NOT RETRACT. YOU PUT THEM ON AND CAN NOT MOVE. FORD WILL NOT COVER THIS EXPENSE SINCE IT IS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I BOUGHT THE CAR OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED SINCE IT IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH. THE SEAT BELTS ARE ON SO TIGHT YOU CAN'T BREATHE. THESE WERE PROBABLY DEFECTIVE FROM THE BEGINNING. WE USUALLY DON'T HAVE ANYONE IN THE BACK OF THE CAR AND JUST DISCOVERED IT. I WOULD LIKE IT FIXED SINCE IF SOMEONE IS BACK THERE THEY WILL NOT WHERE THE SEAT BELT SINCE YOU CAN NOT BREATHE. THEY WANT OVER $400.00 TO CHANGE THE RETRACTOR. I BELIEVE IT WAS DEFECTIVE SINCE IT IS ON BOTH SIDES AND IF NO ONE IS BACK THERE HOW WOULD WE KNOW IT WAS DEFECTIVE. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE I FEEL THEY SHOULD BE LIABLE. I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS NOT COVERED. DT

Air BagsCrash
Filed Oct 15, 2002IL

CONSUMER STATES THAT WAS IN A COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE ADD MORE DETAILS. MR

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Sep 27, 2002NC

CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WITHIN THE SAME WEEK THE VEHICLE DEMONSTRATED PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE IS OF NO SERVICE TO HER. *JG

Suspension › Rear › Springs
Filed Sep 24, 2002PA

CONSUMER HEARD A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. DEALER DETERMINED BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. NLM

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Sep 17, 2002GA

HEATER CORE IS LEAKING CAUSING FLUID TO GET INTO AIR BAG SENSOR AND AS A RESULT THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES OFF/ON, THE ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER, SOME ELECTRICAL WIRE WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THE CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE.*AK *NLM

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Sep 16, 2002MN

CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A FINE MIST COMING OUT OF RIGHT CLIMATE VENT, DEVELOPING FILM ON OUTSIDE OF WINDSHIELD, POSSIBLE HEATER CORE, A/C LEAK OR A/C CONDENSTATION. ALSO GETTING A NOISE WHEN BLOWER MOTOR IS RUNNING. HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR, AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER RESISTOR, AND BLOWER MOTOR WIRING HARNESS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM DISODORIZED. *TT

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Sep 11, 2002CA

FORD JUST RECENTLY INFORMED ME THAT THE DEFECTIVE HORN REPORTED JUST A FEW WEEKS OUT OF WARRANTY. ALSO INVOLVES THE AIRBAG. ROBIN MARSHALL OF FORD HEADQUARTERS CUSTOMER RELATIONS INFORMED OF THIS SAFETY RISK A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO: (313)845-5831. FORD NEVER INFORMED US OF THE ADDITIONAL AIRBAG SAFETY RISK UNTIL THIS TIME. I REPORTED THE HORN MALFUNCTION (AS IT WAS SETTING IN THE GARAGE THE HORN SUDDENLY SOUNDED AT AROUND 2 A.M.). FORD REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITHOUT THE PAYMENT OF AT LEAST $300 AND ONLY RECENTLY AGREED TO EVEN INSPECT THE VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. AS A RESULT OF THIS INSPECTION (APPARENTLY) WE WERE TOLD OF THE AIRBAG DEFECT WHICH, REMEMBER, HAS EXISTED FOR YEARS NOW.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 10, 2002FL

VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE FRONT CENTER YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK *YH

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Sep 6, 2002PA

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING APPLIED HORN AND THERE WAS NO NOISE. ALSO, DUAL AIRBAGS WILLNOT DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Sep 4, 2002UT

THERE'S A LEAK FROM THE HEATER CORE TO THE AIR-BAG MONITOR (AND OTHER PLACES) WHICH HAS CAUSED THE AIR-BAG WARNING LIGHT TO LIGHT UP, AND COOLANT TO BE EMITTED THROUGH THE REAR-PASSENGER AIR VENT ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR. THERE ARE MANY PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS ABOUT THE SAME THING, YET NO RECALL, SO HOPEFULLY ADDING MY COMPLAINT WILL HELP. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG MONITOR AND THE HEATER CORE, BUT SOMEBODY COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT BECAUSE THIS LEAK COULD CAUSE (AND HAS CAUSED WITH OTHERS) FIRE AND/OR UNEXPECTED AIR-BAG DEPLOYMENT RESULTING IN CRASH AND/OR OTHER PROBLEMS. FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS ITEM AND HAVE IT FIXED!!!*AK

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Aug 30, 2002TX

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT CONSUMER HITTING ANYTHING. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNINGS. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

Air BagsFire
Filed Aug 29, 2002IN

CONSUMER NOTICE FOG COMING FROMAIR CONDITIONER VENT WHILE AIR WAS RUNNING. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER DASHBOARD. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED AIR BAG MODULE WAS THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Aug 28, 2002LA

MY LATE SON'S (ROBERT D. LAWRENCE III) 1997 FORD ESCORT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE SITTING PARKED, WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, ON VOTERS ROAD IN SLIDELL, LA. MECHANIC ADVISED FIRE STARTED AROUND THE AIR CONDITIONER. CONTACTED FORD DEALER AND THE FORD COMPANY, BUT RECEIVED NO INFORMATION OR ADVICE. BOTH IGNORED HIS COMPLAINTAND STONEWALLED HIM.. ROBERT III'S INSURANCE COMPANY (SAFEWAY)PAID OFF A TOTAL LOSS TO FORD AND LEFT MY LATE SON WITH OVER $4,000 STILL DUE. FORD MOTOR CREDIT SUED HIM FOR THE BALANCE JUST BEFORE HE DIED ON JULY 16, 2002. THE VEHICLE IS SITTING IN MY YARD IF INVESTIGATORS FROM THE NHTSA WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT IN CONNECTION WITH THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION INTO SUDDEN FIRES IN 1997 FORD ESCORTS. FORD SHOULD, AT LEAST, DROP THEIR LAWSUIT. THEY SHOULD HAVE GIVEN THE BOY ANOTHER CAR WHEN THAT ONE CAUGHT FIRE.*AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Aug 27, 2002SC

WHILE BEING PARKED OVER NIGHT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE INTERNALLY. OWNER SAW WINDSHIELD BLACK, AND DASHBOARD MELTED. CAUSE OF FIRE WAS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Aug 22, 2002FL

IN AUGUST 2001THE AIR CONDITIONER STARTED MAKING A NOISE AND THEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND CHIME STARTED. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE BRANDON FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY FIXED THE AIR CONDITIONER. BUT THEY SAID IT WOULD BE AT LEAST $1000 TO JUST LOOK AT THE AIR BAG. WE DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO WASTE ON AIR BAGS. I WAS EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT AT THE TIME AND WE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF THE AIR BAGS WOULD DEPLOY. THEY SAID THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. NOW I READ AN ARTICLE STATING THAT THE AIR BAGS IN THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE HAVE DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. SO, MY HUSBAND, MY UNBORN CHILD AND MYSELF WERE AT RISK AND WE WERE UNDER THE IMPRESSION EVERYTHING WAS FINE. A YEAR LATER THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPS WORKING AND MY HUSBAND LOOKED UNDER THE DASH TO SEE IF HE COULD FIGURE OUT WHY IT STOPPED WORKING. HE FOUND THE WIRES CONNECTING TO THE AIR CONDITIONER WERE ALL MELTED. THIS COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE AND AGAIN MY HUSBAND, MY SON AND MYSELF WERE AT RISK BECAUSE THE REAL PROBLEM WAS NEVER REALLY FIXED. I READ IN THE ARTICLE THAT FIRES ALSO HAD OCCURRED FOR NO REASON. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW WE WILL BE PROTECTED FROM THESE FAILURES THAT HAVE OCCURRED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.*AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Aug 20, 2002MN

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.*JB

Air BagsFire
Filed Aug 13, 2002TX

97 ESCORT WAS ACTUALLY PURCHASED FOR MY DAUGHTER IN 1998, WITH ABOUT 38000 MILES ON IT. MY SON BOUGHT IT FROM HER IN DEC. 01 AFTER HE WRECKED HIS RANGER. HE TOLD ME THAT HIS AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH HAD COME ON AND WOULDN'T GO OFF. I AM IN SALES AT A FORD DEALERSHIP AND ASKED A COUPLE OF SERVICE ADVISORS AND MECHANICS ABOUT THE LIGHT AND THEY SAID THAT 99% OF THE TIME IT WAS USUALLY JUST A CLOCK SPRING. FIGURING NO BIG DEAL, I TOLD MY SON TO KEEP DRIVING THE CAR (THIS WAS ABOUT MAY,02). LATER HE TOLD ME THAT HE KEPT SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING PERIODICALLY; I COULD SMELL IT BUT THOUGHT THE ODOR WAS ALMOST NEGLIGIBLE. NEXT THING I KNOW, HE TOLD ME THE UNDER SIDE OF THE DASH, BEHIND THE RADIO AND ON PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE (INSIDE THE CAR) HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND HE USED THE KITCHEN FIRE EXTENGUISHER TO PUT IT OUT. I TOLD HIM TO ALSO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. I HAVE BEEN SELLING FORDS FOR 11 YEARS AND DID SOME DIGGING. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ARTICLE NO. 98-15-20 (SUPERCEDES ARTICLE NO. 98-14-3) WHICH ADDRESSES THIS PROBLEM AND TELLS THE SERVICE DEPT. TO REPLACE THE MODULE AND INSTALL A WATERSHIELD TO KEEP THIS FROM RECURRING. THIS IS ELIGIBLE UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY COVERAGE AND SAFETY RESTRAINT WARRANTY COVERAGE. SINCE MY CAR HAS ABOUT 98000 MILES ON AND WAS STILL RUNNING FINE BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, AM I OUT OF LUCK AT GETTING THIS CAR RUNNING AGAIN. PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE FROM A MECHANIC WAS ABOUT $1100 IN PARTS AND WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH IN LABOR.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 9, 2002CA

WHILE IN MOTION, CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT ALSO DID NOT HOLD. CONSUMER SUFFERED CHEST INJURIES TO THE RIB CAGE. CONSUEMR WISHES TO HAVE AIRBAGS OPENED AND INSPECTED AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. *JG

Air BagsFire
Filed Aug 8, 2002MA

WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON.THEN, AIR BAG DEPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Aug 6, 2002NY

WHILE DRIVING AT 10MPH ON FLAT SURFACE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AKTHERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE FROM THE BELTS. *JG

Air Bags › Side/Window
Filed Aug 5, 2002GA

DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, CAUSING WINDSHIELD TO BLOWOUT.*AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Aug 3, 2002UT

HEATER CORE LEAKED ONTO AIR BAG SENSOR AND MODULE CAUSING AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. HAD TO REPLACE HEATER CORE,AIR BAG SENSOR AND MODULE.*AK

Air Bags
Filed Aug 2, 2002UT

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS FLASHING. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO ADVISED CONSUMER OF AIR BAGS REPLACEMENT. *AK

Air BagsFire
Filed Aug 1, 2002LA

SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AIR CONDITIONER AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, TECHNICIAN STATED AIR BAG MODULE WAS ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Aug 1, 2002MI

WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, NO CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

Air Bags › Frontal1 injured
Filed Jul 30, 2002VA

WHILE DRIVING 67 MPH ON SMOOTH SURFACE CONSUMER SMELLED SULPHUR, THEN BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK *YH

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Jul 30, 2002KY

WHILE APPYING BRAKES VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. A BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON PANEL. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Interior Lighting
Filed Jul 30, 2002KY

DASHBOARD LIGHTS FAILED. *AK

Suspension › Rear › Springs
Filed Jul 20, 2002NJ

REAR SPRINGS ON THE STRUT ASSEMBLY WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING ROUGH HANDLING OF VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WHEN CAR HAD PASSANGERS IN REAR SEAT. BOTH REAR STRUTS/SPRINGS WERE REPLACED AT COST OF $500. MECHANIC SAID HE SAW MANY O F THE SAME BROKEN SPRINGS ON ESCORT MODEL. CAR ONLY HAD 34,000 MILES ON IT WHEN SPRING RUSTED THROUGH MAKING THIS EITHER A DESIGN DEFECT OR PART DEFECT.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 18, 2002SC

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FELL OFF.*AK *JB

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Jul 7, 2002CA

HEATER CORE FAILURE RESULTED IN FAILURE OF AIRBAG SYSTEM DUE TO PLACEMENT OF AIRBAG COMPUTER WITHOUT MOISTURE SHIELD. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 20, 2002MS

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARS ON DASHBOARD WHEN CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. WHEN DEALERSHIP DROPPED VEHICLE OFF THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. ENGINE LOCKED UP. *AK

Air Bags
Filed Jun 17, 2002CA

HORN DOES NOT BLOW. WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG.*AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jun 8, 2002OR

THE "WASP" DESIGN OF THE REAR DOOR LOCKS MAKE THE LOCKS EXTREMELY VULNERABLE TO BREAKAGE. EXACT REPLACEMENTS ARE VERY HARD TO FIND. WHEN LOCL PLUNGER IS BROKEN OFF, THE PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEAT ARE TRAPPED IN THE CAT UNTIL SOMEONE IN FRONT RELEASES THE ELECTRIC DOORLOCKS. I DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS AT ALL POSSIBLE TO GET BACK DOOR OPEN WITH MANUAL DOOR LOCKS.*AK

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf Spring Assembly
Filed Jun 4, 2002CT

WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE TECHNICIAN INFORMED CONSUMER THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK THE REAR SPRING AND TOP MOUNT FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THE REAR COIL SPRINGS FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. BOTH TIE RODS FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *YH

Air Bags
Filed May 29, 200200

AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING WHEN VEHICLE IS COOL, NOT WHEN VEHICLE IS HOT. *AK *YH

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master CylinderCrash
Filed May 18, 2002CA

FORD BRAKE ENGINEERS DESIGNED TO BRAKE EFFORT PROPORTIONING THE MASTER CYLINDER TO ALLOCATE 85-90% OF THE BRAKING TO THE FRONT WHEELS AND ONLY 10 TO 15%TO THE REAR WHEELS. THIS PROPORTION IS INCORRECT AND RESULTS IN THE INABILITY TO STOP THE CAR UNDER EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATIONS. IT IS NOT POSSIBLY TO LOCKUP THE REAR WHEELS EVEN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THE FRONT WHEEL BREAK TRACTION ON SLIPERY SURFACES THE CAR LOOSES ITS ABILITY TO STOP IN A REASONABLE LENGTH. THIS MISS ALLOCATION OF BRAKING EFFORT RESULTED IN A NEAR REAR END ACCIDENT IN 1997 AND RESULTED RECENTLY IN TOTALLING THE VEHICLE THIS APRIL. THIS BRAKING SYSTEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO TO CORRECT THE EMBALANCE OF THE BRAKING ACTION. I TRIED TO BRING THIS DESIGN PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN 1995 BUT IT FELL ON DEAF EARS. THIS IS A REAL DANGEROUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED.*AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Apr 25, 2002FL

VEHICLE WAS GOING 65MPH AND SLOWING DOWN TO 30MPH WHILE STILL ACCELERATING. HEATER CORE WAS LEAKING ONTO COMPUTER FOR AIRBAG MODULE. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED.*AKTHE LEAKING HEATER CORE CAUSED ALOT OF DAMAGE TO THE AIRBAG, SPARK PLUGS, IGNITION CABLE, AND OXYGEN SENSORS. CONSUMER PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR DAMAGED PARTS. HEATER CORE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *JG

Air Bags › Frontal1 injured
Filed Apr 25, 2002IA

ON APRIL 17 MY 1997 FORD ESCORT WAS INVOLVED WITH FLYING ROAD DEBRIS ON THE INTERSTATE. A PIECE OF TIRE WAS THROWN BY THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME INTO MY BUMPER COVER. WHAT WOULD HAVE STARTED OUT AS A MINOR SCRATCH IN THE BUMPER TURNED INTO A BROKEN WINDSHIELD AND TWO BLOWN AIRBAGS, WHICH ASSISTED IN NO WAY. THEY CAUSED BURNS ON THE ARMS AND CREATED A DRIVING HAZARD ON THE ROAD IN WHICH I ENDED UP IN THE MEDIAN TRYING TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION. I FEEL THESE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE EXPLODED IN THIS INCIDENT. NO CONTACT WAS MADE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE TO CREATE SUCH CONDITIONS FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WAS TOO SENSITIVE. COULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE WHETHER OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS NATURE HAVE OCCURRED? HAS ANY TYPE OF RECALL BEEN WARRANTED WITH PREMATURE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT? POTENTIAL FOR INJURIES WERE TREMENDOUS IN THIS INCIDENT. I APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER.*AK

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf Spring Assembly
Filed Apr 22, 2002MI

BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKE AT APPROXIMATELY 60000 MILES. BROKEN SPRING HAS A HIGH POTENTIAL TO PUNCTURE A TIRE AND IF AT HIGH SPEED CAUSE MAJOR WRECK AND PERSONNAL INJURY. INVESTIGATION AT SEVERAL REPAIR FACILITIES I DISCOVERED THAT THIS VEHICLE AND MODEL YEAR HAS A SYSTEMMATIC PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SPRINGS BREAKING AT 60000 MILES. THE AUTO COMPANY HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL OR NOTIFICATION OF A POTENTIAL CONCERN.

Suspension › Rear › Springs
Filed Mar 24, 2002PA

REAR COIL SPRING FOUND BROKEN AT STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. BREAK OCCURRED AT BOTTOM, INSIDE THE VINYL COVERING OF SPRING. NEW SPRINGS WERE $165.*AK

Suspension › Rear › Springs
Filed Mar 20, 2002WI

REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BROKEN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 20, 2002MI

I DO NOT DRIVE MY ESCORT "WILD" I TRY TO TAKE CARE OF MY CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED THE COMPANY TO GET IT REPAIRED; THEY ONLY COVER PART'S. I AM FIGHTING THE WARRANTY COMPANY THAT CANCELLED ME; THAT PAID FOR THIS AT THE TIME.NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Feb 27, 2002WA

WHILE HAVING A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT 2 OF THE 4 TIRES WERE COMING APART, ONE OF THE TIRES WAS REPLACED WITH THE SPARE TIRE, THE CONSUMER WAS SHOWN IN 3 PLACES ON THE INTERIOR OF THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE THE OUTER RUBBER LAYER HAD SEPARATED, OR WAS ABOUT TO SEPARATE FROM ANOTHER LAYER.(GOODYEAR CONQUEST GL P185/65R14)*JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation ComponentsCrash
Filed Feb 22, 2002LA

WHILE DRIVING 20MPH THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. BRAKE SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Feb 13, 2002OH

WENT IN FOR REPAIR TO BAD SPOT ON TIRE. MECHANIC FOUND THAT ALL 4 GAS STRUTS AND BOTH SETS OF COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH A TIE ROD, AND ALL 4 TIRES. I HAD NOT STRUCK ANYTHING AT ALL TO CAUSE THIS, AND ALL OF THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS WOULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF THEY FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. $ 1136.48 IN REPAIRS AFTER ONLY 30K MILES IS COMPLETELY UNCONSCIONABLE!!

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed Feb 12, 2002MD

WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL DUE TO FAILURE OF TIE ROD END. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Air Bags › Side/WindowCrash
Filed Feb 12, 2002HI

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON HIGHWAY, AND WHILE DRIVING ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE A SUDDEN STOP AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING SHE RAN INTO THE BACK OF DRIVER'S VEHICLE. DRIVERSIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T GO OFF FULLY, BUT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG BROKE OF WINDOW OF DOOR. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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