1999 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.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE S/R OPTION. THE S/R OPTION INCLUDES, AMONG OTHER FEATURES, A 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. ON THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT PATTERN IS NOT DISPLAYED IN THE OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT IN VIEW OF THE DRIVER. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT."

Risk. THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION POSITION OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADHESIVE BACKED PLAQUE CONTAINING THE SHIFT PATTERN, ALONG WITH MATERIALS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR LOCATING AND AFFIXING THE PLAQUE TO THE VEHICLE CENTER CONSOLE, JUST FORWARD OF THE SHIFT LEVER. OWNERS WILL ALSO BE ADVISED THAT THEIR DEALER CAN AFFIX THE PLAQUE IF THEY PREFER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NO OCCUPANT INSIDE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER WAS IN THE PARK POSITION AT THE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

VEHICLE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STILL ACTIVATED, WON'T TURN OFF. THERE HAS BEEN NO COLLISIONS OR ACTIVITY THAT CAUSED LIGHT TO BE ACTIVATED.

WHILE DRIVING , THE CAR LOST POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN, AFTER COMING TO A STOP, WE TRIED TO START THE CAR UP AGAIN IT BSOUNDED LIKE IT WANTED TO TURN OVER BUT DIDN'T AFTER A FEW TRIES IT STOPPED MAKING ANY NOISE. A MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINE BLEW AND THAT IT WAS A ON GOING PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR AND MAKE OF CAR. THE ENGINE WAS PUT IN THE CAR WHEN WE BOUGHT IT, IT WAS ADVERTISED AS NEW SO THE PREVIOUS OWNER MUST HAVE HAD THISHAPPEN TO THEM AND KNOWINGLY SOLD US THEIR PROBLEM. PLEASE WE NEED HELP.

SINCE 2001, I HAVE HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT FORD AND SEARS REPAIR SHOP TO ADDRESS MY COMPLAINTS THAT WHEN MY CAR IS STATIONARY IT HAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. I WAS TOLD BY MANY FORD SHOPS THAT IT WAS NOTHING THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE MOTOR MOUNTS. IT WAS REPLACED THE MOUNTS AND IT LAST LONG AND STILL THE VIBRATION CONTINUED. RECENTLY, I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP REGARDING THAT SAME COMPLAINT AND THEY FOUND IT IS AN "ENGINEER DEFECT: ENGINE-IDLE VIBRATION". CAN THIS BE REPAIRED BY FORD AND AT NO COST TO ME?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

TOOK CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGE. TECH DISCOVERED BOTH REAR SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. WAS QUOTED $1200 TO REPLACE, INCLUDING STRUTS (STILL GOOD). I AM IN MINNESOTA AND THIS CAR HAS NO TRACTION IN THE SNOW. I CAN DRIVE AT 10 MPH AND THE BACK STILL BREAKS TRACTION. I HAVE SPUN OUT MORE DRIVING THIS CAR THAN I HAVE WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE. I DO THINK FORD DESIGNED AND SOLD AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *TR

TOOK CAR IN TO HAVE THE MUFFLER FIX AND THEY SAID THE FRAME WAS BUSTED AND COMING UP THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARDS SEPARATING FROM THE CAR. ALSO THE FRAME UNDER DOORS ARE ERODING. THEY SAID IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IF I HIT ONE BIG POTHOLE I WOULD BE IN BIG TROUBLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT SEVERAL TIMES AND WOULD RECUR SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS OR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

1999 FORD ESCORT,HAD A WRECK AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED OUT BY INSURANCE ADJUSTER,THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND EVEN THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER STATED WOW THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T EVEN DEPLOY. ME AND MY GIRLFRIEND WERE INJURED AND WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK SINCE OCTOBER 2011 AND HAVE OVER 100,000 DOLLARS ALONE IN MEDICAL BILLS AND STILL HAVE TO HAVE SURGERY. AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE WORKED LIKE THEY WERE INSTALLED TO DO. I CALLED AND SPOKE WITH SOMEONE AT YOUR LOCATION AND SHE SAID THAT THERE WASN'T A RECALL YET,BUT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING. I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FILL OUT THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY OR WORK WHEN WE HAD A ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE CAR WAS TOTALED OUT AND WE WERE IN A 1999 FORD ESCORT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS DEFECTIVE. IN ADDITION, THE MOTOR FAILED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,083.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HEATER BLOWER FAILED AND SPARKS WERE SHOOTING FROM THE WIRING HARNESS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT THE HARNESS BEFORE A FIRE IGNITED. THE CONTACT LOCATED A MANUFACTURERS RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE WIRING OF THE DEFROSTER SYSTEM, IN WHICH HE BELIEVED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON HIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

I BOUGHT A USED 1999 FORD ESCORT STATIONS WAGON WITH ONLY 16K MILES ON IT. AT 30K MILES I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE FOR $585 TO REPLACE THE REAR COIL SPRINGS THAT ARE BROKEN, SAYING IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. NOTE I NEVER ASKED FOR MORE THAN A SIMPLE OIL CHANGE. IN READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS HERE FOR BROKEN SPRINGS I BELIEVE FORD HAS GOTTEN AWAY WITH A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT THAT EVEN ITS DEALERS ARE WELL AWARE OF. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE APPEARED ON THE SCENE AND ONE OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS WAS REPORTED INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 132,000. UPDATED 10/19/10*JB

FIRESTONE 710 TIRES. LESS THAN 20,000 MILES, TREAD IS GONE, DOES NOT HANDLE ON ICE AND SNOW. TIRES ARE SOLD IN MINNESOTA, WERE IT SNOWS A LOT. TIRES ROTATED ONCE SO COMPANY WILL NOT STAND BY 65,000 MILE WARRANTY. HIGHWAY MILES, NO REASON FOR TREAD TO HAVE WORN OFF SO SOON. PLEASE CHECK IF TIRE IS DEFECTIVE AND IF SHOULD BE SOLD IN AREAS WHERE IT SNOWS QUITE OFTEN. I HAVE ALMOST GONE OFF THE ROAD MANY TIMES THIS WINTER, SEEMS LIKE YOUR GLIDING ON AIR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,000.

RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT WAS GOING ON AND OFF FOR A COUPLE DAYS. GOT A REPLACEMENT BULB TO CHANGE LIGHT. FOUND THE HARNESS THAT CONNECTS INTO THE BACK OF THE LIGHT TO BE MELTED AND PARTIALLY BURNT. HAD TO REPLACE HARNESS. *TR

COMPANY STATES THEY DO A COMPREHENSIVE INSPECTION, SELL HIGH QUALITY USED VEHICLES, MEET CUSTOMERS PERSONAL NEEDS, AND BACK THEIR PRODUCT. NO INSPECTION WAS DONE, ONLY COSMETIC REPAIRS TO SELL THE CAR. NO INSPECTION REPORT CAN BE PRODUCED EXCEPT THE REPAIRS BEFORE CAR WAS PUT ON LOT. THIS VEHICLE IS FAR FROM THE HIGH QUALITY. WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE BACK IN THE SHOP 14 TIMES IN 14 MONTHS. IT DID NOT MEET THE 4 PERSONAL NEEDS WE REQUESTED. EVERYTHING WITH THOSE NEEDS HAS GONE COMPLETELY WRONG! WE DID NOT WANT A FORD; WE GOT A FORD, IT IS NOT RELIABLE. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THE AC AT THE SHOP 7 TIMES, NOW RENDERING THE CAR DISABLED. IT IS NOT RELIABLE, KEEPS BREAKING DOWN. IT DOES NOT GET GOOD MILEAGE; CAR GETS 21 MPG WHEN IT SHOULD GET ABOUT 35-38 ACCORDING TO MFG. WARRANTY WAS BURNED BY MILES GOING BACK AND FORTH TO SHOP FOR CONSTANT REPAIRS. 700 MILES FOR THE SAME ISSUE- THE AC. SERVICE ISSUES ARE THAT THEY HAVE NOT FOUND THE ROUTE OF THE PROBLEM AND WE KEEP HAVING TO GO BACK TO GET THE SAME THING FIXED. OWNER IS UNCOOPERATIVE, WONT LISTEN, ALWAYS COMES BACK WITH RESPONSES AND REPLIES THAT GO IN CIRCLES. HE WILL NOT LISTEN. WE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR A DIFFERENT CAR SINCE TWO WEEKS AFTER WE BOUGHT THIS CAR; WHEN WE FOUND OUT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO BE PUT ON THE ROAD. WITHIN TWO WEEKS IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS, BROKEN TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, BAD FUEL PUMP, WORN BRAKE PADS TO METAL. WHICH WERE WORN IN TWO WEEKS AFTER THEY WERE CHANGED BECAUSE OF A WARPED ROTOR.

OK, SO I JUST BOUGHT MY 1999 FORD ESCORT ZX2 ON DECEMBER 1, 2008 AT 82,000 MILES. 2 MONTHS LATER I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY ALTERNATOR IN FEBRUARY 2009. IN MAY 2009 MY ENGINE BLEW, APPARENTLY THE #1 ROD SEPARATED AND WENT THROUGH THE OIL PAN. I REPLACED THE ENGINE SINCE I STILL HAVE A LOAN ON THE CAR. IT IS NOW JULY 2009 AND MY TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. I ONLY HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR LESS THAN 8 MONTHS AND REPAIR COSTS ARE MORE THAN WHAT I PAID FOR THIS. UNFORTUNATELY I CAN'T GET RID OF IT BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR A BETTER CAR AND NOW I AM IN THIS ENDLESS CYCLE OF REPAIRS. *TR

EXCESSIVE ENGINE VIBRATION BRAKES FRONT EXHAUST PIPE AND FUMES GET INTO CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE DROPPED TWO VALVE SEATS. AS A RESULT, TWO CYLINDER HEADS FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS IF IT WERE NOT RECEIVING ANY POWER AND THEN SHUT OFF. THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL DROVE POORLY. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A DISTURBING, CHOPPING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. SHE PURCHASED A REBUILT ENGINE AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION SENSORS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN SIX MONTHS LATER. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A NEW ENGINE, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE UNDER A LIFETIME WARRANTY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 142,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

I OWN A 1999 FORD ESCORT S . THE MILEAGE IS 48,700 MILES. I TOOK IT IN YESTERDAY FOR A STATE INSPECTION. I WAS INFORMED THAT NOT ONLY ONE BUT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. FROM MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE READ THAT THIS HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS. BUT YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. DURING A VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS LATER, THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,350. UPDATED 06/09/08 *BF UPDATED 06/09/08

DURING REPLACEMENT OF TIRES AND ALIGNMENT, SERVICE PERSONNEL ADVISED THAT THE REAR COILS SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. WAS ADVISED THAT SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN FILED WITH BOTH NHTSA AND MANUFACTURER BUT NO RECALLS HAD BEEN ISSUED. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH CAN RESULT IN ADDITIONAL VEHICLE DAMAGE, INJURIES OR DEATH. A MANDATORY RECALL NEEDS TO BE REQUIRED AND ENFORCED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN A MONTH OF HER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN AUGUST OF 2007. A DAY OR TWO LATER, THE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE RADIO AND CLOCK IN THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON AND OFF AND MADE A STRANGE NOISE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE DIAGNOSTIC. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,964 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150. UPDATED 5/19/08 *CN THE GEAR LIGHT WENT OUT. THE MARKER LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED

I PURCHASED MY SE IN NOVEMBER OF 2006 WITH LESS THAN 83K MILES ON IT. THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING IT, ONE OF THE HEAD GASKETS CRACKED. I HAD THE HEAD REPAIRED, AND LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER THAT THE HEAD CRACKED AGAIN. I HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED. I HAVE NOW HAD NEW HEADS, NEW ENGINE, NEW FUEL PUMP AND A NEW ALTERNATOR INSTALLED AND NOW AM HAVING A NEW PROBLEM. WHEN I PULLED OUT FROM A STOP, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE ENGINE IS NOW EMITTING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN STOPPED, AND I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS IS ALL IN ADDITION TO THE VIOLENT SHAKING, FAULTY FRONT HEADLIGHT, TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDS FLUSHED AND LOUD ENGINE NOISE. I HAVE SPENT MORE ON REPAIRS THAN I PAID FOR THE VEHICLE, AND NOW HAVE TO PUT MORE MONEY IN TO IT, AND IT STILL HAS LESS THAN 94K MILES ON IT. THIS IS MY FIRST FORD, AND WILL BE MY LAST. *TR

I OWN 2 FORD ESCORTS A 1999 ESCORT SE, AND A 2002 ESCORT SE, I'VE NOTICED ON BOTH VEHICLES, WHEN I'VE HAD TO DO AN EMERGENCY STOP (SLAMMING THE BRAKES) BOTH VEHICLES TAKE FAIRLY LONG TO RESPOND, INCREASING THE BRAKING DISTANCE. I HAVE 2 OTHER FRIENDS WHO OWN SIMILAR ESCORTS, AND NOTICE THE SAME PROBLEM, I FEEL THAT THIS CONCERN NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR

REAR COIL SPRING FAILURE. 2 SEPARATE REAR COIL SPRING FAILURES WITHIN 2 MONTHS. 1 OF WHICH PUNCTURED THE TIRE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CAR LOST CONTROL AND WENT INTO THE MEDIAN. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS INJURED AND THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. REPAIR SHOP NOTED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ESCORTS. *TR

THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE BOTH VERY OBSCURED BY DETERIORATED MATERIAL..THIS LOWERS THE LIGHT TRANSMISSION SUBSTANTIALLY CAUSING A VERY UNSAFE NIGHT DRIVING CONDITION.. THERE IS NO MECHANICAL DAMAGE TO THE LENSES ONLY DETERIORATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, HE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 01-10-08. *KB UPDATED 12/31/07

DURING THE USE OF THE BACK PASSENGER SEAT BELT, IT BECAME JAMMED AND WILL NOT COME OUT ENOUGH TO USE OR ROLL BACK UP TO TRY AND REUSE. *TR

I BOUGHT THIS 1999 ESCORT FROM A DEALER. IT WAS USED WITH AROUND 20K MILES ON IT. I MADE THE DEALER CHANGE OUT THE TIE ROD ENDS BEFORE I TOOK IT BECAUSE I NOTICED THEY WERE BAD. THE CAR NOW HAS 54K MILES ON IT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD END FAILED CAUSING THE CAR TO SKID AND TURN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. DUE TO A QUICK-REACTING ONCOMING DRIVER, NO ACCIDENT HAPPENED. HOWEVER, THIS COULD HAVE LED TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLY DEATHS. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THAT WHENEVER HE GETS A CALL FOR A FAILED TIE-ROD, ITS AN ESCORT. THIS WAS DEFINITELY CHANGED TOO. I CHECKED IT MYSELF AFTER THE DEALER DID THEM. THEREFORE THE TIE ROD ENDS ONLY LASTED FOR AROUND 35K MILES BEFORE EXTREME FAILURE OCCURRED. SOMETHING HAS TO BE WRONG WITH THE STEERING/SUSPENSION DESIGN IN THIS MODEL CAR. EVERY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED I'VE DRIVEN INTO THE 100K MILE RANGE AND STILL NO PROBLEMS WITH THE TIE ROD ENDS. WHAT IS THE DEAL HERE? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE FRONTAL SEAT BELT WEBBINGS DID NOT LOCK (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04E048000) AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED SEVERE STRAIN, SPRAIN, AND BRUISES TO HER CHEST AND NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104,308. UPDATED 09/12/07 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AT THE REPAIR SHOP, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS FAILED. THE SHOP STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE COILS SPRING RUSTING. THE CONTACT HAS NOT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OR THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER HORN DOES NOT WORK. SHE WAS UNABLE TO PLACE HER VEHICLE IN DRIVE BECAUSE OF BLOWN OUT FUSES, INCLUDING THE HORN FUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE WIRES TO THE CRUISE CONTROL WERE BLOWN. A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE HORN FAILED TO WORK AGAIN. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO PURCHASE A FORD FUSION AND TO CONTACT THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE AND FELT A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE'S FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AXLE WAS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 65,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

FAILURRE OF ALL FOUR MOTOR MOUNTS IN MY 1999 FORD ESCORT. *NM

DURING SAFETY INSPECTION DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SPRINGS OF 1999 FORD ESCORT SE HAD BROKEN. THIS IS THE SECOND FORD ESCORT I HAVE OWNED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM. FIRST VEHICLE WAS A 1997 FORD ESCORT LX THAT I PURCHASED FROM A DEALER IN FT. COLLINS, CO. I HAVE OWNED THAT THE REAR SPRINGS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

1999 ESCORT LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. *TS WHEN THE TIRE BLEW OUT, THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK TWO GUARDRAILS. THE CONSUMER HAD MINOR INJURIES, BUT REFUSED TREATMENT. *JB

ON TWO OCCASIONS, AS I WAS WAITING AT A RED LIGHT, FOOT ON BRAKE, MY VEHICLE TRIED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN ACCORD. IN ONE OF THESE INSTANCES I HIT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE. *NM

WHEN PRESSING GAS ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAR DOES NOT MOVE. CAR HESITATES WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. OCCASIONALLY (ABOUT 1 OF 2 TIMES) THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS AND OTHER SERVICE LIGHTS APPEAR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ONCE ALREADY ON 11/29/00. TRANSMISSION FURTHER COMPLAINED ABOUT ON 1/15/01 AND 8/9/01 - TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED BY AAA TWICE IN PAST TWO WEEKS. 5 MECHANICS CANNOT DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM. ALSO, WHEN CAR IS IDLING, IN GEAR, THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES. *NM

1999 FORD ESCORT MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. UPON INSPECTION MECHANIC DETERMINED IT WAS THE TONE RING THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE TONE RING IS A PART OF THE ABS SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THEY PROVIDED NOT ASSISTANCE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HEAD-ON COLLISSION THAT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 42 MPH. THERE WAS PRE-IMPACT BRAKING, THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. THE SERVICE DEALER HAVE NOT YET DETERMINED THE DAMAGES ON THE VEHICLE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IT WAS DETERMINED THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND NEW COIL SPRINGS HAVE BEEN ORDERED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING 45-55 MPH. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE FUEL SYSTEM DID NOT SHUT OFF, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT. THE ENTIRE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRUSHED; THE CONTENTS OF THE TRUNK STRUCK THE CONTACT CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE REAR END WAS REPLACED.

I HAD MY 99 ESCORT IN FOR A/C WORK AND A INSPECTION WAS DONE AND FOUND BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKEN, I HAVE NOTED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS IN YOUR FILES ON THIS. THE CAR HAS 28K MILES NO REPAIRS WERE DONE YET. *JB

REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKE. *NM

I OWN A 1999 FORD ESCORT SE. IT HAS LESS THAN 32,000 ORIGINAL MILES. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD VIBRATING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS I HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC, NOT THE DEALERSHIP. ON INVESTIGATION, HE DISCOVERED THAT MY 4TH PISTON IS CRACKED. WHEN HE CALLED JASPER ENGINES FOR THE PRICE ON A REPLACEMENT ENGINE, THEY TOLD HIM THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED SERVICE BULLETINS THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM IN THE 1999 ESCORT ENGINES. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD ABOUT HELPING IN THE COST OF REPLACING THE ENGINE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE CAR IS MORE THAN 5 YRS OLD THEY WILL NOT HELP. IF THEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM, THE SHOULD HAVE TO REPAIR IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER STEPS TO TAKE AND WISH TO KEEP THE CAR. *NM

I WAS OUT OF TOWN, DROVE FOR 2 1/2 HRS THEN PARKED FOR SHOPPING. WAS ON WAY BACK HOME..10 MIN INTO DRIVE, WHEN MY FORD ESCORT ZX2 JUST LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD LITTLE WARNING..A MINUTE BEFORE IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH THEN NOTHING..NO GAUGES OR STEERING ETC. I HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED (DID NOT THINK TO KEEP THE OLD PART) AND HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL FUSES "JUST BECAUSE" SINCE IT KEEPS DOING THIS AND THE SCARY PART IS I BOUGHT IT FOR MY SON WHO IS A NEW DRIVER AND HE HAD IT HAPPEN TO HIM TWICE IN ONE DAY AND TWICE TO MYSELF THE NEXT DAY. WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT BACK HOME AFTER JUMPING IT TWICE IN 8 MILES THE LAST TWO TIMES IT QUIT. IT IS NOW PARKED FEARING WE WILL BE STRANDED OR WORSE LOSE CONTROL AND END UP IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS, STEERING ETC. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, THE VEHICLE CRASHED AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT INFLATE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO 2 PARKED CARS. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S HANDS, BACK AND FEET. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. THE POLICE RESPONDED AND PROVIDED A WRITTEN REPORT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THERE WAS ADDITIONAL PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE PARKED VEHICLES.

I OWN A 1999 FORD ESCORT SE, 4 DOOR. ABOUT A WEEK AGO I TOOK IT INTO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD ALL FOUR MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BAD. A COUNTER PERSON LOOKED UP VEHICLE NOTICES AND (I THINK) FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN ON MOTOR MOUNTS FOR 2001-2003 ESCORTS. MY QUESTION IS, HOW CAN ALL FOUR MOTOR MOUNTS GO BAD AT ONE TIME UNLESS IT IS SHODDY EQUIPMENT TO BEGIN WITH. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ALL FOUR GOING BAD. IN ALL THE VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED I DO NOT THINK I HAVE EVER HAD ANY MOTOR MOUNT REPLACED. HAVE ANY OTHER SIMILAR PROBLEMS LIKE THIS BEEN REPORTED? *NM