1998 Ford Escort complaints

NO SUMMARY. DT

THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED 20,000 MILES AGO; DEALER WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY. DT

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE FRONT BALL JOINTS WORN OUT THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE CAUSING IT TO BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT AND REAR COIL SPRING HAD TO BE REPLACED. LEFT BRAKE GRABBED. RATTLE NOISE AT RIGHT FRONT AT INITIAL START. HIGH IDLE AND CLICKING NOISE IN DASH. *TT

CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB

CONSUMER STATES WHILE SHE WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, ANOTHER AUTO HIT HER FROM BEHIND, CAUSING THE BACK END OF THE AUTO TO COME IN THE FRONT SEAT. SHE STATES HER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE WAS TOLD THAT BY AN INVESTIGATOR THAT AN IMPACT OF THAT MAGNITUDE THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. SHE AND HER PASSENGER WERE INJURIED. TS

THE DRIVER HEARD SOME SCRAPPING NOISE BUT WASN'T SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE OWNER HAD TO GO THROUGH INSPECTION WHICH HIS VEHICLE WAS REJECTED DUE TO THE REAR COIL SPRINGS BREAKING. HE IS ALSO AWARE OF SOMEONE ELSE WITH SIMILAR FAILURE. MRJLG

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING SHE THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE . AFTER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE STEERING RODS WERE MISSING. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. MR

CONSUMER STATES INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 50 MPH. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MR

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 35 MPH THE POWER STEERING MECHANISM FAILURE CAUSING TO LOST THE CONTROL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE PARKED AND WITH NO WARNING THE HORN WILL OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE HORN HAS BEEN DEACTIVATED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THE HORN WOULD NOT GO OFF. CONSUMER ALSO, STATES THAT THIS IS A REOCCURING PROBLEM. ALSO THE DIRECTIONALS ARE INOPERABLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER ACTIVATES THE DIRECTIONALS THEY WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY GO OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. BLN

TS

VEHICLE HIT A TREE AT 45 MPH AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD AND BROKE ARM. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN.*AK

WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT HEARD GRINDING NOISE AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP WHEN CRANKSHAFT SLID OFF, AND WENT INTO STEEL FRAME OF VEHICLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

REAR SPRING COILS BROKE WHILE DRIVING.*AK

HARMONIC BALANCER FOR THE KING PIN BROKE.*AK CONSUMER STATES WHILE EXITING PARKWAY, THERE WAS A LOUD VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT END, THE HARMONIC BALANCER WAS HITTING INTO THE WALL OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMERS HUSBAND CHECKED UNDER THE VEHICLE TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, HIS HAND SLIPPED AND GOT CAUGHT BETWEEN THE BELT AND THE BALANCER, RESULTING IN HIS FINGER HAVING TO BE AMPUTATED. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING HIT THE HORN AND IT STUCK. HAD TO UNPLUG FUSE TO CUT HORN OFF. DEALER CONTACTED. TARGO SWITCH INSIDE STEERING WHEEL PAD BROKE.*AK

MY ESCORT'S ROTORS GET HOT AND OUT OF ROUND, CONSEQUENTLY I NEED MY THIRD BRAKE JOB IN 26000 MILES. *AK

VEHICLE HAD TRANSMISSION REPAIRED IN AUGUST OF 2001. SOON THEREAFTER, IT STARTED TO HAVE DIFFICULTIES WITH SHIFTS. NOW, THE VEHICLE GRINDS GOING INTO 5TH GEAR / REFUSE TO GO INTO 5TH AND WILL ACTUALLY FORCE ITSELF OUT OF 5TH GEAR WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY UNSAFE TRYING TO MERGE ONTO / DRIVE ON DC HIGHWAYS. TOOK IT TO A DEALER ON MAY 30TH, WHO SAID THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. TOOK VEHICLE TO SAME DEALER ON JULY 5TH, RODE WITH SHOP MANAGER WHO RECREATED THE PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE AT LEAST 2 WEEKS FOR REPAIR. TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO HAD IT ALL WEEK, REPAIRED SOME COMPONENT, BUT PROBLEM RESURFACED ON TRIP HOME FROM DEALERSHIP. CONTACTED DEALER, WHO SUGGESTED THAT I COULD DRIVE A VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION ON THE HIGHWAY FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, THEN BRING IT IN. I AM TEACHING IN ANOTHER STATE FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, SO I AM IN AN URGENT NEED OF A FUNCTIONAL VEHICLE.*AK

THE SEALING LINES ON THE LOWER OUTSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE VEHICLE IS BEING PULLED APART BY THE HUMIDITY AND HEAT. *TT *SCC

THE FUEL PUMP INITIALLY FAILED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE EXPIRATION OF THE WARRANTY ON THE CAR. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED BY KIP KILLMON'S TYSONS FORD IN TYSONS CORNER, VA IN JULY 2001. IN JANUARY 2002 THE FUEL PUMP AGAIN FAILED, AND THE SAME DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP FOR A SECOND TIME. FORTUNATELY, THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, BUT RESULTED IN THE CAR FAILING TO START. HAD THE PUMP FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION, I MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY. THE FACT THAT THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WITHIN 6 MONTHS ON THE SAME WELL-MAINTAINED CAR WITH LOW MILEAGE, INDICATES TO ME THAT THIS MAY BE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WITH THE PART AND/OR THE CAR. FORD HAD NO INTEREST IN ADDRESSING MY CONCERNS WHEN THIS PROBLEM WAS BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION.*AK

HORN WENT OFF ON ITS OWN,. DEALER REPLACED HORN ASSEMBLY. IN JUNE 2002, HORN SOUNDED AGAIN ON ITS OWN, HAD TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THE AIR CONDITIONER IS LETTING IN FUMES FROM THE OUTSIDE WHILE DRIVING.*JB DEALER REPLACED THE RELAY MODULE. *TT

WHILE A MECHANIC CHECKED TIRES NOTICED THAT REAR SPRING HAD COLLAPSED ON ITSELF. MECHANIC STATED VEHICLE COULD LOSE CONTROL IF SPRING BREAK OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH DRIVESHAFT WAS FORCED INTO ENGINE AND CAUSED ENGINE TO STOP OPERATING. FEEL FREEE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE IGNITION MODULE HAD CAUSED A SURGE OF ELECTRICAL POWER THAT IMPACTED THE ALTERNATOR AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT OF MONIES PAID. *JG

CHOOSING CHILD SAFETY SEAT ON THE MENU BROUGHT ME TO THIS FORM...ANYWAY, CHILD SAFETY SEATS THAT DO NOT HAVE A MEANS TO ADJUST THE STRAPS WITHOUT REMOVING THE SAFETY SEAT FROM THE VEHICLE ARE UNSAFE. MANY PARENTS WILL JUST PUT THEIR CHILD IN THINKING THE SEAT IS SAFELY INSTALLED AND THEY DON'T REALIZE THAT PROPER STRAP ADJUSTMENT IS A MAJOR PART OF THE CHILD'S SAFETY. I RECOMMEND A RECALL ON ALL SEATS THAT DON'T HAVE AN ADJUSTMENT LEVER AT THE FRONT OF THE SEAT. THIS TIME OF YEAR IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS, WHEN THE WEATHER ONE DAY WILL REQUIRE A WINTER COAT AND THE WEATHER THE NEXT IS SUMMER LIKE. AN EXAMPLE OF AN UNSAFE SEAT IS THE COSCO VENTURA. AN EXAMPLE OF A SAFE SEAT IS THE CENTURY BREVVERA.*AK

FRAME BROKE FROM UNDER PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT. CAN'T MOVE SEAT UP OR BACKWARDS. FRAME RUSTED OUT FROM UNDER SEAT. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK

ACCELERATOR CAN EASILY BE MASHED DOWN DUE TO BRAKE PEDAL BEING SMALL. ALSO, BECAUSE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT SIT HIGH OVER ACCELERATOR PEDAL IT IS CAUSING SOME DRIVING DIFFICULTIES. PLEASE ADD MORE INFORMATION. *AK

THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 35 MPH COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE OF SIMILAR SIZE AND SUSTAINED MASSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE HOWEVER NEITHER AIRBAG IN THIS VEHICLE DEPLOYED.*AK

CONSUMER STATES FRONT TIE ROD END ON BOTH SIDE WORE EXCESSESIVELY. NLM

HORN BLOWS CONTINUOUSLY WITH VEHICLE PARKED. MUST REMOVE FUSE TO TURN OFF HORN.*AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS GETTING INSPECTED DISCOVERED THAT REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS LOW MILEAGE IN VEHICLE TO HAVE COIL SPRINGS REPLACED.*AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, HITTING A POLE AT 45 MPH, UPON IMPACT DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK THERE WAS ONE INJURY. *YD

TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN EVERY GEAR AND SHIFTS HARD, ESPECIALLY ON COLD MORNINGS. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 2 TIMES, CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK

AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF KEY GOT STUCK IN IGNITION. NO MATTER WHAT CONSUMER DID , KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

WHEN VEHICLE GETS STARTED UP IT WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. VEHICLE WILL JUST SIT THERE AND NOT MOVE ANYWHERE.*AK

WHEN YOU TRY TO USE THE WASHER FLUID IT LEAKS ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR CAUSING THE HOOD TO BECOME DISCOLORED FROM THE WINDSHEILD WASHER FLUID. ALSO WHENEVER YOU ARE AT A STOP THE CAR STARTS TO SHAKE, THEY FORD SAY THAT IT IS FROM THE ENGINE MOUNTS AND THAT IT IS NOT HAZARDOUS SO THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT. LAST THEIR IS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISION, WHENEVER YOU ARE MOVING SLOW OR IN A STOP POSITION AND START TO MOVE THE CAR JERKS REALLY BAD. IT MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE SOMEONE RAN INTO YOU OR THAT YOU RAN SOMETHING OVER. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE COMPANY, BUT THEY CAN'T DO NOTHING ABOUT. I HAVE HEARD OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE ECAXT SAME CAR HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS

CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN, CLAIM 24-125-333. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, FLAMES STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH, CLAIM 13-7568-816. *SLC

CONSUMER WAS TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FIRE UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AREA, CONSUMER AND HER DAUGHTER TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE THEMSELVES, HOWEVER COULD NOT, CLAIM 14-1385-223. *SLC

DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT IS GOES UP AND DOWN INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. BELT IS STUCK HALF WAY BECAUSE IT IS OFF THE TRACK. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, FLAMES STARTED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH, CLAIM 13-7568-816. *SLC

WHILE HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED TECHNICIAN NOTICED LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE VEHICLE PROBLEM OF HIGH PITCH WHINING SOUND THAT DEVELOPED AFTER THE ENGINE WARMED UP TO NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. IN MY OBSERVATIONS I NOTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT CIRCULATING THE ENGINE OIL PROPERLY. WHEN PULLING OUT THE OIL DIPSTICK IT WAS APPARENT THAT A VACUUM PROBLEM EXISTED IN THE ENGINE. ALSO WHEN TAKING OFF THE OIL FILLER CAP A VACUUM SOUND WAS DETECTED. FINALLY I REMOVED THE PART AT THE TOP REAR OF THE ENGINE WHICH IS CONNECTED WITH HOSES TO THE AIR FILTER HOUSING. I IMMEDIATELY NOTED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED TO RUN SMOOTHER AND AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR 2 HRS NO NOISE WAS DETECTED FROM THE ENGINE. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE VACUUM CAUSED BY THE DEFECTIVE FILTER DID NOT ALLOW THE ENGINE TO BE PROPERLY CIRCULATED IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE RAN HOT AND THE COOLANT HAD TO BE TOPPED OFF. I FEEL THE DEFECTIVE FILTER HAS CAUSED ENGINE DAMAGE. I TOOK THE PART #F8CZ-6A768-AB TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP PARTS DEPT AND HAVE ORDERED A REPLACEMENT. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT FORD AND THEIR DEALERSHIPS COULD NOT DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM THAT COULD LEAD TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OVERHEATING.*AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THEY LOCKED ON ONE SIDE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SPIN, AND RESULTING IN A COLLISION/ ROLLOVER. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN EVER YOU USE A TURN SIGNAL OR BRIGHT LIGHTS WHICH ARE ALL BUILT INTO THE SAME ARM WILL CAUSE THE LIGHTS TO GO OUT. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS ON A LONELY ROAD AT 3:00 AM WITH MY TEEN DAUGHTER WHEN THEY WENT OUT FOR THE 1ST TIME. AS I HAVE 4 CHILDREN AND 2 PARENTS TO CARE FOR WITH A FULL TIME JOB AND WAS AWAY FROM HOME AT THE TIME TO HELP MY DAUGHTER. I WAS UNABLE TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF UNTIL OCT, 2001. I CALLED IN SEPTEMBER AND WAS UNABLE TO REACH ANYONE UNTIL 10-3-2001. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE THING AS I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS IN THE OFFICE WITH THE FORD ELECTRICAL. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS ALL THE DASH LIGHTS GO OUT AS WELL AS THE HEAD LIGHTS. AS YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY WARNING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM UNTIL YOU ARE IN THE DARK. IN A MOVING VECHICAL. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THIS CAR IN BAD WEATHER OR AT NIGHT DO TO THIS. IF I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD IT WOULD KNOCK THE OUT TOO. AS I WAS GOING BACK ROADS TO GET TO MY PARENTS HOME TO GET MY DAD TO THE HOSPITAL I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO GO ON AND I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING. NOR WAS THERE ANYONE THAT I COULD CALL IF I NEED TO AS THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING AROUND.

CAR STALLS WHILE ACCELARATING FROM LOW SPEED -0-5MPH, CAR HAS STALLED WHILE ON 605 FREEWAY WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED, STARTS AFTER WAITING ABOUT 20 MIN. HAVE REPORTED TO SERVIC DEPT. CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*AK

WHEN FILLING GAS TANK, FUEL PUMP STOPS CONSTANTLY AND THEN SPILLS FUEL ON THE GROUND. *AK

VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART, VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE INOPERATIVE AND IT APPEARED THAT THEY WERE HIT BY A SURGE OF ELECTRICAL POWER. JB

CRANKSHAFT/ PULLEY CAME LOOSE FROM MOUNTING AND SHIFTING OVER, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL POWER. PIECE THAT BROKE OFF JAMMED GEAR, AND TIMING BELT WAS CHANGED AND RESET. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER DID NOT KNOW OF A PROBLEM ,AND DIDN'T OFFER TO DO ANYTHING. WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. PART NUMBER AND NAME IS DAMPER PART# F7CZ-6316-BA. *AK THE PULLEY WAS LOOSE AND SHIFTED HALF INCH CAUSING THE BELT TO SHRED. *YH *TR