1998 Ford Escort

Defect. CERTAIN TRW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED ON DECEMBER 6 AND 9, 2002, FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1997 FORD ESCORT 4-DOOR AND STATION WAGON PLATFORM VEHICLES, FORD'S P/N F7CZ54611B09AAC. THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT A NO-LOCK CONDITION WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy. TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,998. *AS

I AM CONCERNED REGARDING REAR BUMPER COVER. THIS VERY IMPORTANT PAFT ON TBIS VEHICLE IS MADE TOTALLY OF FIBERGLASS OR A SIMILAR PRODUCT WHICH BECOMES MORE CRACKED WITH TIME AND THE MAIN ISSUE IS THAT IT HAS NO HARD METAL BAR FOR PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT . THIS BUMPER WHICH I HAD REMOVED TO RPLACED WHAT WAS LEFT OF IT HAS SOMETHING THAT APPEARS TO BE A BAR ATTACHED OR PART OF IT YET IT IS NOT ANY TYPE OF METAL THAT WOULD IN ANY WAY HELP ENDURE THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT. IN FACT I AM CONCERNED THAT IT CAN EASILY SERIOUSLY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO REAR PASSENGERS IF NOT DEATH BECAUSE THERE IS NO PROTECTION WITH THIS BUMPER. BESIDES THIS AND MAKING IT MORE DANGEROUS , THE GAS TANK IS RIGHT NEXT TO THIS SAID BUMPER AND THIS MAKES IT MUCH MORE DANGEROUS . I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ITEM , I JUST WANT TO LET NHTSA KNOW THE SAFETY HAZARD THIS IS AND THE DANGER IT POSES TO THE REAR PASSENGERS AND REALLY ALL PEOPLE IN THIS VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ESCORT. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH KELLY SPRINGFIELD TIRE SIZE 185/65/14. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND HE HEARD A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR TIRES. THE CONTACT DETECTED THAT BOTH REAR TIRES HAD A DEFECT WITHIN THE INNER LINER AND THE CORDS WERE VISIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKING TO THE DEALER AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 10/31/13*CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ESCORT. THE TIRE BRAND WAS BRIDGE STONE INSIGNIA SL, TIRE SIZE WAS P175/65R14. THE DOT WAS UNKNOWN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 67 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE TIRES WERE ON THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ON THE TIRES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 150,000. UPDATED 02/08/11*LJ UPDATE 02/14/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE IN 2003 AND WERE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT A REPAIR SHOP GETTING AN OIL CHANGE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 26,000. UPDATED 01/04/11*LJ UPDATED 01/10/11*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SITTING IDLE AT A TRAFFIC STOP WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH BY WEAVING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO PARK BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT THEN ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE PASSENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS VERY LITTLE BRAKE FLUID IN THE VEHICLE BUT ENOUGH THAT THE BRAKES SHOULD HAVE STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND EXHAUST/ GAS RECIRCULATION FLAW WERE DEFECTIVE AND POSSIBLY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 10/15/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED. UPDATED 10/21/10*JB

FAILURE OF THE REAR SPRINGS ON 1998 FORD ESCORT FIRST IN 2003 AT 12,195MILES AND THE REPLACEMENTS BOTH FAILED AGAIN IN 2009 AT 36, 000 MILES. FAILURE APPEARS DUE TO SALT CORROSION ENHANCEMENT DUE TO COVERED SPRING SURFACE. FORD WAS CONTACTED AND EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE THEY WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. FAILURE RATES ARE VERY SHORT. VEHICLE WAS NEVER OVERLOADED AND IS GENTLY DRIVEN. *TR

DURING A STATE REQUIRED INSPECTION FOUND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN. FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. *TR

MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 1998 FORD ESCORT LX ON A 35 MPH ROAD WHEN THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF HIM SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES. MY SON IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO STOP THE CAR, BUT HE REAR-ENDED THE OTHER CAR BEFORE HE COULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. DURING THE IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE AND THE DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY - ALLOWING MY SON'S UPPER BODY TO CONTINUE FORWARD UNTIL HIS FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE LAP BELT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY, HOLDING MY SON'S LOWER BODY IN PLACE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS, BUT THAT DID NOT PREVENT THEM FROM BEING THROWN TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND INJURED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND FACE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARTIALLY DESTROYED AND THE FRONT BUMPER, BUMPER SUPPORT, RADIATOR AND SUPPORT, AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER, AND POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WERE DAMAGED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 81,756.

I WAS SOLD A 1998 FORD ESCORT ZX2 FOR 800 DOLLARS, FROM BUT BEHIND A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DID THE NOTARY, AND THEY WERE THE ONES WHO SIGNED OFF ON THE CAR AND GAVE ME A HAND WRITTEN RECEIPT WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S NAME ON IT. THEY ALSO DID THE INSPECTION LATER ON AFTER WE REPLACED ONE OF THE BALL JOINTS. WE HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY ANOTHER OFFICIAL INSPECTION STATION AND THEY SAID THE CAR WAS A DEATH TRAP. WE CONTACTED A STATE TROOPER. HE DID AN INSPECTION, FAILED THE CAR, AND TOOK THE STICKER. THERE WAS A LONG LIST OF PROBLEMS. I TRIED TO GET A REFUND BEFORE I GOT THE COPS INVOLVED AND HE REFUSED. THIS WAS ALSO BEFORE THE 10 DAYS WERE UP FOR THE INSPECTION. I PAID FOR THE CAR ON THE 13TH OF FEB. 2008. *TR

THE HEADLAMP COVERS ARE AWFUL AND DANGEROUS. THEY ARE SO CLOUDY THEY MAKE VISIBILITY ALMOST NIL IN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES (ESP FOGGY NIGHTS). I FEEL THE MATERIAL THEY ARE MADE OF IS SUB PAR, CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING. SHE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, IT FAILED TO RESTART IMMEDIATELY. SHE STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS DARK COLORED AND LEAKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE DRAINED AND MORE TESTS WERE NEEDED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 176,432. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB

COIL SPRING ON 1998 FORD ESCORT BROKE AND ALMOST BLEW OUT THE TIRE. BROUGHT IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO GET IT FIXED AND REPLACED THE TIRE.*AK

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED HORN HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 31,000 MILES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE , AND THAT ITWAS CAUSING THE HORN NOT TO WORK. THE HORN HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT IT STILL DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN WOULD JUST COME ON AND WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE CIRCUIT BREAKER A FEW WEEKS AGO, BUT NOW THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF. THE DEALER CHECKED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT HAD A LEAK IN THE FIREWALL. THE CONTACT HAD THE LEAK REPAIRED FOUR TIMES. *AK

BROKEN REAR SPRINGS. *JB

BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THEN 6 MONTHS FOR THE 2002. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW IN FORD ESCORT. I HAVE A 1998 & 2002 AND BOTH HAVE BROKEN REAR SPRINGS. ALSO EVERY TECHNICIAN I HAVE TALKED TO KNOWS THE PROBLEM. *JB

WHILE HAVING POSSIBLE BRAKE NOISES CHECKED, THE MECHANIC, WHILE THE CAR WAS ON THE LIFT, SAW THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. HE STATED THAT THE MARKS HE SAW INDICATED THAT THEY HAD BEEN BROKEN FOR A WHILE. *JB

I HAVE HAD NEAR ACCIDENTS RELATING TO CAR FUEL PUMP OR TRANSMISSION SHOPS COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS BUT THE DRIVABLITY OF MY 98 ESCORT ZX2 COST ME MORE MONEY IN PROBLEM SOLVING, 1,500 PLUS IN RECENT REPAIRS INCLUDING EMERGENCY AND REPEAT REPAIRS AND FAULTY REPAIRS. MY FUEL ECONOMY IS 160 MILES PER TANK TO ALMOST 200 MILES. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM(S). LARGE THUNKING IN REAR TRUNK (SCARY)WHEN IM TAKING OFF AND REACHING A STEADY SPEED. TAKE THE CAR TO MAJOR FORD DEALERSHIPS, TO NO AVAIL. CAR DOESN'T ALWAYS "GO" FROM A COMPLETE STOP IN TRAFFIC,THIS HAS CAUSED QUITE A SCARE AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR HELPING AND MAKING NOTE OF MY ACCOUNT. DEBBIE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED HOWEVER THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED NO PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

WAS HAVING MY 1998 ESCORT SERVICED. MECHANIC FOUND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS HAD FRACTURED IN SAME SPOT. HAD THEM REPAIRED THERE INSTANTLY AT A COST OF $710.10 . I CALLED FORD THEY SAID NO RECALL, I THEN BROUGHT SPRINGS TO MY FORD DEALER TO SHOW THEM AND TO ASK FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS, I AM STILL WAITING FOR AN ANSWER. HOWEVER FORD DID OFFER TO GET RID OF THE SPRINGS FOR ME BUT I STILL HAVE THEM IN MY TRUNK. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE VEHICLE HAS A LOUD ROAR WHEN IDLING. THE VEHICLE ALSO ACCELERATES RAPIDLY ON ITS OWN. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE. THE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED A NEW SPEED CONTROL AND AN IDLE CONTROL MODULE. THIS WAS REPLACED TWICE BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK DID NOT DETECT ANY CODES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER REPAIRS AT THIS TIME. *JB UPDATED 12/27/2005 - THIS PROBLEM SEEMED WORSE IN COLD WEATHER. IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO IDLE DOWN THE CONSUMER HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF THEN TURN IT BACK ON. THE PROBLEM WOULD SOMETIMES RESURFACE A FEW MINUTES LATER, A FEW WEEKS LATER OR A FEW MONTHS LATER. *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. WHEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IT CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO BE SEVERALLY BURNED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY COMPLETELY. THIS OCCURRED ON AUGUST 3, 2004. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT A POST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. SHE NO LONGER HAS THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT HELP THE CONSUMER. *AK *NM

DT: CONSUMER TOOK 1998 FORD ESCORT FOR A OIL CHANGE ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2005. THE MECHANIC FOUND BOTH REAR COILS SPRINGS BROKE. THE REAR STRUTS WERE DAMAGED, AND THE LEFT FRONT TIE ROD WAS BROKEN. THE MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE AT TIME OF SERVICE WAS 71, 127 MILES. THE CONSUMER USED THE CAR FOR SHOPPING AND PLEASURE WITH NO HARD DRIVING AT HER AGE. SHE WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THIS WAS COMMON FOR THE 1997 AND 1998 FORD ESCORTS. I HAD OTHER FORD ESCORTS PRIOR TO THIS ONE AND I HAD NO PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM COST THE CONSUMER $732. HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER. HAD NO ACCIDENTS. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD ALL THESE PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE DRIVES MUCH BETTER AND IS QUIETER SINCE HAD THE PROBLEMS FIXED. *AK

DT: 1998 FORD ESCORT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE SERVICED, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOTICED THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN , APPROXIMATELY 1 TURNS FROM THE TOP. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY TOLD HIM THE PART WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. THERE HAD BEEN NO NOTICEABLE PROBLEMS BEFORE THIS.*AK THE CAPLIPERS WERE REPLACED DUE THEM BEING FROZEN. THE CRANK PULLEY AND SERPENTINE BELT WERE REPLACE. *JB

AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY FROM A 20 MILE TRIP, THE IDLE ON THE VEHICLE BECAME ROUGH WHEN STOPPED. THE BEST DESCRIPTION WAS THAT THE IDLE STARTED TO SURGE AND PULSE WITH THE BRAKE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE FULLY STOPPED. JUST PRIOR TO PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY (LESS THAN A MILE FROM HIGHWAY) THE RADIO AND VENTILATION SYSTEM BEGAN TO CUT IN AND OUT. UPON PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ONE HOUR LATER, VEHICLE WAS STARTED, DASHBOARD BATTERY LIGHT WAS ON, IDLE BECAME ROUGH AND PULSED CLOSE TO A STALL. *JB

THE FAILURE INVOLVES THE INTERLOCK THAT KEEPS YOU FROM SHIFTING OUT OF PARK WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE. MY LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL BULB HAD BURNED OUT. I STOPPED THE CAR, PUT IT IN PARK, AND SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, TO GET OUT AND CHECK THE OTHER TURN SIGNALS. FIRST I TURNED ON THE LEFT SIDE AND VERIFIED THAT THE LEFT REAR BULB WASN'T WORKING. THEN I ASKED THE PASSENGER IN THE CAR TO SWITCH ON THE RIGHT SIGNALS. SHE LEANED ON THE SHIFT LEVER TO TRY TO REACH THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER, AND WHEN SHE DID, THE CAR WENT INTO REVERSE. IT MOVED BACK SLOWLY SINCE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON, SO I JUMPED OUT OF THE WAY AND GOT IN AND STOPPED IT. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THIS: THAT IF THE LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL BULB IS BAD, THE SHIFT INTERLOCK IS RELEASED WHEN YOU TURN ON THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, ALLOWING THE SHIFT LEVER TO BE MOVED OUT OF PARK WITHOUT STEPPING ON THE BRAKE FIRST. WHEN I PUT IN THE NEW BULB, THE BEHAVIOR DID NOT HAPPEN ANYMORE. I PUT THE BAD BULB BACK IN, AND IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. IF I HAD NOT SET THE PARKING BRAKE, I COULD HAVE BEEN RUN OVER. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS DEFECT MAY EXIST IN SEVERAL MODEL YEARS ON THIS VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY OTHER FORD VEHICLES. THIS PROBLEM WAS ON A 1998 FORD ESCORT SEDAN WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ESCORT WAGON. WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON VEHICLE THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING BROKE WITH SOMETHING HOLDING IT INTO PLACE. THE REAR COIL SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT SHE HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.*AK

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE 1998 FORD ESCORT CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE. THE DRIVER HIT THE POLE AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND BROKE. THE INSIDE OF THE AIR BAG SPRAYED THE CHEMICALS ON THE DRIVER, THE CHEMICALS BURNT HER HANDS AND ARM. SHE SAID THAT SHE COULD NOT FIND A LAWYER IN HER TOWN TO TAKE CASE. THE LAWYERS AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY WERE WORKING TOGETHER AGAINST HER. SHE SAID THAT SHE HAD A BOIL ON HER HAND AND A BRUISE ON HER CHEST. THE CONSUMER HAS PICTURES OF THE AIR BAG. SHE WANTED SOMEONE TO REIMBURSE HER FOR THE CAR BECAUSE SHE LIVED IN LOW INCOME HOUSING. SHE SAID VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND THE JUNK DEALER CAME AND GOT IT. AND SHE DID NOT GET PAID FOR IT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. *AK

DT: THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO LIGHTS, NO NOISE BEFORE THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING ALONG A CROWDED HIGHWAY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD AND WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THIS HAPPENED FRIDAY JULY 15TH, 2005. *AK *NM

DT: 1998 FORD ESCORT. BOTH OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT WORK. THE SEAT BELT STRAPS WILL NOT PULL OUT FROM THE SEAT, WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE THEM. ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEAT BELT STOPPED RETRACTING. THIS WAS IN JUNE OF 2004. AND ON 7-25-05 THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT STOPPED RETRACTING. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. WHEN SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY TOLD HER THE SAME THING. THERE WERE NO OTHER KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN 2002. BUT, IT WAS JUST A FENDER BENDER TYPE ISSUE. NO ONE WAS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. *AK

I OWN A 1998 FORD ESCORT WITH 32,000 MILES AND RECENTLY HAD THE AIR CONDITIONER CONTROL MODULE REPLACED.WHEN THE REPAIR SHOP ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE A NEW PART, THEY WERE TOLD THAT THIS PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE HAS BEEN MANY PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND MAYBE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

MY DAUGHTER WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK , WHEN SHE CALLED ME & SAID "DAD MY CAR HAS LOSS POWER & IS RUNNING VERY ROUGH". I TOLD HER TO PULL OVER & I WOULD BE THERE SHORTLY, SINCE SHE WAS ONLY ABOUT 8 MILES DOWN THE ROAD. AS I WAS PREPAIRING TO LEAVE, MY DAUGHTER CALLED ME BACK & SAID THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. I TOLD HER TO CALL 911 AND GET AWAY FROM THE CAR. IT TOOK ME LESS THAN 10 MINUTES TO GET THERE & BY THAT TIME THE FIREMEN HAD PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING GREAT, WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL.

DT: CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHEN A FIRE STARTED IN THE LEFT FRONT UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN THE PREVIOUS NIGHT, AND HAD BEEN SITTING FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 HOURS. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF FIRE WAS FROM THE POWER CONTROL MODULE.*AK

DT: VEHICLE BROKE REAR SPRINGS 2 YEARS AGO. *AK

BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. THE VEHICLE HAS SEEN MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES AND IS WELL KEPT. THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM ,AND WAS FOUND DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE REAR BRAKES. IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE HAD IT NOT BEEN FOUND. *AK

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE HYDRO PLANED , AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, SMASHING INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER REFUSED MEDICAL ATTENTION ON THE SCENE, BUT WENT TO THE HOSPITAL LATER THAT DAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

THE VEHICLE'S BELT TENIONER ASSEMBLY BROKE 3 TIME. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE HOUSING FOR WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT TENIONER AND MICO V BELT. *BF *NM

WHILE DRIVING THE GEARS ON THE VEHICLE CHANGE FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL ON THEIR OWN. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED BY OWNER.*AK

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS. OWNER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR COIL SPRINGS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

CONSTANTLY WET CONDITION ON DRIVER SIDE FLOOR - DURING WET WEATHER. WATER COMING THROUGH THE FLOOR OR FIREWALL (NEAR THE FLOOR) AND FILLING THE FLOOR WITH WATER. *JB 1998 FORD ESCORT LX

EACH TIME WHEN VEHICLE SPLASHES IN A PUDDLE OF WATER THE SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF. *AK

WHILE THE STATE INSPECTION STATION WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE INSPECTOR INFORMED CONSUMER THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND THEY INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL.*AK

THE PAINT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT PANEL WAS STRIPED OFF IN A CAR WASH. AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE CARS HAS NOT BEEN REPAINTED. WELL... NOT WHILE I'VE OWNED IT. I AM HAVING THE CAR REPAINTED. *NM

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHOOK AND MADE NOISE. THEN, SUDDENLY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK CAR SHOOK AND MADE NOISES. THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO START OR MOVE AFTER IT SHUT OFF. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS. *TC UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB

AFTER STRIKING A VEHICLE IN FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. HOWEVER, NO RESPONSE WAS RECEIVED. *AK

WHILE HAVING MY OIL CHANGED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTED THAT THE RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION SPRING WAS BROKEN NEAR THE BOTTOM. THE BROKEN SPRING DID NOT PERCEIVABLY ALTER THE FUNCTION OF THE CAR NOR DID IT MAKE NOISE. IT WAS CLARIFIED TO ME THAT THE SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE I FEEL IT IS NECESSARY TO HAVE BOTH SPRING REPLACED. THE ESTIMATE FOR THIS REPAIR IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $400. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH A COMPUTER CHIP FELL FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD. AND THEN THE FUEL GAS GAUGE SYSTEM INDICATOR STOPPED WORKING. *AK *SC *JB