1999 Ford Escort complaints

1-COURTESY CHECK BY A LOCAL TIRE & AUTO SERVICE CENTER DURING A TIRE ROTATION. SUGGEST REPLACE REAR COIL SPRINGS. 2-WE WERE TOLD ONE OF THE REAR COIL SPRINGS IS BROKEN, THESE HAVE TO BE REPLACED IN PAIRS. 3-THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD NOT BE A REGULAR ITEM THAT NEEDS TO BE MAINTAINED. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A PAIR OF COILS AND A SUSPENSION ALIGNMENT. WE ARE LOOKING FOR A RECALL INSTEAD OF PAYING MONEY OUT OF OUR POCKET FOR AN ITEM THAT SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. APPARENTLY THIS IS TRUE BECAUSE OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME REASON FOR YEARS OF 1997-2001 FOR FORD ESCORTS/SEDANS AND MERCURY TRACER/SEDANS. *JB

I TOOK MY 99 FORD ESCORT TO A AUTO REPAIR SHOP TO FIX ONE FRONT TIE ROD (ANOTHER FREQUENT PROBLEM ON ESCORT) AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT ONE OF THE SPINGS IN THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS BROKEN. I DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT WHEN DRIVING AND I DON'T KNOW FOR HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN BROKEN. THE MECHANIC ALSO SAID THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH ESCORT, AND ADVISED ME TO CHECK THE EXISTANCE OF A RECALL WITH A FORD DEALER. TO THIS DATE (JAN 2006) THERE IS NO RECALL. HE ALSO ADVISED ME TO KEEP THE RECEIPT OF THE REPAIR ($ 750 TO REPLACE THE SPRINGS AND STRUTS ON BOTH SIDES) IN CASE A RECALL WILL BE MADE IN THE FUTURE. *NM

I JUST WANT TO COMPLAIN THAT I FEEL FORD MOTOR CO. SHOULD OFFER A SUBSIDIE FOR OWNERS OF 1999 FORD ESCORT ZX 2 AUTOMOBILES FOR THE ADDITION OF DISENGAGMENT SWITCHES FOR THEIR FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEVICES. I AM AWARE THAT NEWER MODELS COME EQUIPPED WITH THIS FEATURE. I WAS ADVISED BY FORD MOTOR CO. THAT THEY ACTUALLY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO MAKE THIS ADDITION TO THEIR CARS FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICEPERSON THAT IN THE TEN YEARS "HE OR ANYONE WORKING THERE" HAD NEVER PERFORMED A "SWITCH ADDITION" I ASKED HIM IF IT WOULD BE EXPENSIVE AND HE SAID PROBABLY YES AND THAT HE WOULD CALL FORD AND SEE EXACTLY WHAT COULD BE DONE. HE SAID HE WOULD CALL ME BACK. HE HAS NEVER CALLED BACK. I HAVE THREE KIDS AND THERE IS ONLY TWO SEATBELTS IN THE BACK. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO LET MY ELEVEN YEAR OLD RIDE IN THE FRONT, BUT I AM AFRAID OF THE AIRBAG. NOW THAT IT IS STANDARD(SWITCHES) ON THE 2001 AND NEWER CARS I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE SOME COST SHARED BY FORD MOTOR CO. IN PERFORMING THIS UPGRADE. I FEEL IT SHOULD BE A "RECALL" FOR THIS ADDITION. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A BROKEN REAR SPRING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. DEALER FOUND IT BROKEN WHILE DOING A SAFETY INSPECTION. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE SPRING WAS BROKEN. MANUFACTURER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD IT FIXED BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE. CONTACT BELIEVED IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 -*NM

DT: 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE GEAR SHIFTER MALFUNCTIONED. IT DID NOT GO INTO 2 OR 1 GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED LAST YEAR ON AUGUST 3, 2004. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY STATED THESE GEARS SHOULD NOT BE USED. THE ENTIRE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY WILL NEED TO REPLACED AT THIS TIME. THE PROBLEM STARTED APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO, IT STARTED SHIFTING HARD. THIS CAUSED SOMETHING IN THE MECHANISM TO BEND. THE REMEDY DID NOT LAST A YEAR. THIS PROBLEM WAS HAPPENING ALL OF THE TIME.*AK

OUR 1999 FORD ESCORT WITH ONLY 11,904 MILES ON THE ODOMETER (WE DRIVE A SUBARU FORESTER MOSTLY), RECEIVED ITS ANNUAL INSPECTION (NYS LAW) ON AUGUST 11, 2005. THE INSPECTION REVEALED THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. I ASKED THE TECHNICIAN HOW THAT COULD HAPPEN WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE AND SO LITTLE USE AND BOTH HE AND THE SERVICE MANAGER (THEY ARE A HIGHLY REGARDED, AFTER-MARKET, AUTO REPAIR BUSINESS, SERVICING ALL MAKES OF VEHICLES, AND HAVE NO CAUSE FOR BIAS) SAID THAT IN THEIR EXPERIENCE FORD ESCORTS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING WEAK AND DEFECTIVE REAR COIL SPRINGS AND THAT THEY HAD REPLACED MANY OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS (MORE THAN ANY OTHER MAKE OR MODEL). TO A LESSER DEGREE THEY ALSO NOTED THAT THE TAURUS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. BEFORE HAVING THE WORK DONE I HAD CALLED THE DEALER (SAM DELL FORD OF LIVERPOOL, NY) AND THE FORD CONSUMER COMPLAINT OFFICE. NEITHER WERE AT ALL HELPFUL, DENYING ALL KNOWLEDGE OF A DEFECT WITH THE REAR COIL SPRINGS. I AM ATTACHING A MEMO FROM THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, DOCUMENTING THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH THE ESCORT.

DT: 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR SPRINGS WERE DEFECTIVE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION THE REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED FORD, THEY DID NOT KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AFTER MARKET REPAIR SHOP. THEY STATED THIS WAS SEEN ALL OF THE TIME. THE ESCORTS WERE NOTORIOUS FOR BAD REAR SPRINGS. THIS VEHICLE HAS 11,904 MILES ON IT. THE REAR SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. *AK

I PURCHASED A 1999 FORD ESCORT FROM CARMAX IN MAY OF 2001. ABOUT 2-3 WKS LATER I CONSTANTLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHT GOING OUT. I GOT TICKETED BY THE POLICE SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE I WAS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEMS. THEN ONE DAY DRIVING FROM WORK MY ENGINE DIED. WITHOUT ANY WARNING AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO CARMAX AND THEY THEN TOOK IT TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP. WHENEVER I PUT THE AC ON THERE IS A RUMBLING COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. FRANKLY THE CAR IS A LEMON AND I HAD NO IDEA BECAUSE THERE WAS NO REPORTS ON THE CAR AND I REMEMBERED ASKING THE SALES REP. IF THERE WAS ANYTHING ABOUT THE CAR THAT I NEEDED TO KNOW AND I WAS TOLD NO. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO BECAUSE I AM SPENDING MONEY ON THIS CAR FOR MANUFACTURER PROBLEMS. THANK YOU. *NM

DT: THE VEHICLE WAS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. BOTH OF THE BACK COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. CONSUMER FOUND THIS OUT WHEN GETTING THE BRAKES INSPECTED. THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, TIE RODS AND THE REAR STRUTS INCLUDING THE COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INSPECTION TOOK PLACE ON 7-8-05. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER TO HAVE ALL THE PARTS REPLACED. THEY WERE REPLACED ON 7-20/22-05. VEHICLE WAS SHAKING BEFORE HAND. CONSUMER KNEW THAT FORD COMPANY ISSUED A RECALL ISSUE CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM WITH SOME OF THEIR OTHER MODELS. *AK UPDATED 11/02/2005. *NM

DT: CONTACT STATES THE HEADLIGHT SOCKET WENT OUT ON 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONSUMER TELLING THAT IF SHE DID NOT HAVE THE SOCKET REPLACED IT WILL CAUSE A FIRE. BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE WARRANTY SAYID THAT ELECTRONIC PARTS WERW NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. *AK

NOTICED THAT ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS COMING UP ON AND OFF, CHANGED SPARK PLUGS,WIRES, LIGHT WOULD GO OFF FOR A PERIOD AND THAN COME BACK ON. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY BETWEEN 65-70 MILES/HOUR WHEN I HURED A LOUD BANG , PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY, I HAD THE CAR TAKING TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, SERVICE WRITER TOLD ME THAT THE VALVE SEAT IN THE HEAD HAD SEPERATED AND FELL INTO THE MOTOR. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE 1.9 MOTOR HAD A FLAW IN THE HEAD AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR MANY YEARS. THAN HE SHOWED ME ANOTHER ESCORT THAT6 HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND THAT THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST CAR HE SEENED WITH THIS PROBLEM. SECOND PROBLEM: I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 TRANSMITIONS WITH IN A YEAR, WHICH WAS COVERED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND POSSIBLY A 4TH. I DON'T KNOW BECAUSE THE MOTOR WENT. THIRD PROBLEM: WHILE AT A STOP SIGN A WAS REAR ENDED AN ABOUT 30-35 MILES/HOUR, MY SEAT BELLT DID NOT HOLD ME AND MY SEAT COLLEPSED ON TOP OF MY CHILD WHO WAS IN A CAR SEAT BEHIND ME. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOPE ABOUT THE WEEK BEFORE THE MOTOR WENT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM HAD TO DO WITH THE TRANSMITION BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR NEW THAT THE VALVE WAS PREPERING TO FAIL. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD REDESIGNED THE HEAD, SO THIS PROBLEM COULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE, AND TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS DAMAGE, THOUGH I HAD NOTICED SOME SUSPENSION NOISE WHEN TURNING. ALSO, THE HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE WAS MUCH "LOOSER" IN THE REAR. TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THE SPRINGS COULD FURTHER DETERIOTE AND THE BODY OF THE VECHICLE COULD COLLAPSE ONTO THE CHASSIS. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS WAS $750.00, THOUGH NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO DATE.

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN SUDDENLY SMOKE CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. HE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SAW FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT.*AK

BOTH AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. NO INJURIES REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK

ON 12-11-04 WHILE RETURNING HOME FROM WORK, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE CAR STALLED. AT FIRST I THOUGH IT WAS THE TIMING BELT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL SHOP WHO SAID THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD BEEN STRETCHED AND HAD ACTUALLY SKIPPED GEARS. THEY REPLACED THE TIMING BELT AND UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THEY HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THEY REMOVED THE SPARK PLUGS TO FIND THAT THE #4 PLUG HAD BEEN BROKEN DUE TO AN IMPACT FROM THE ENGINE. AFTER CONTACTING THE SPARK PLUG MANUFACTUER, THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD 2.0 ENGINES MANUFACTURERED BETWEEN 1991 AND 2000. FORD USED A POWDERED METAL VALVE SEAL INSTEAD OF A STAINLESS STEEL ONE WHICH OVER TIME BREAKS APART AND FALLS INTO THE ENGINE DAMAGING THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED.*AK

THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT POPED OUT AFTER IT WAS FASTENED. THE PASSENGER CAN NOT BE SECURED IN THE VEHICLE. NOT INCLUDED IN THE SEAT BELT RECALL NHTSA O4E048000 *JB

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AT 40 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. OWNER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER.*AK

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE BACK. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

IN 1999 WE PURCHASED A FORD ESCORT. WITHIN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, THAT SOMETIMES A NEW CAR WOULD DO THAT JUST BY GOING OVER A BUMP. WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS THE CAR DEVELOPED SOME REALLY WEIRD PROBLEMS. DIAGNOSTICS WERE DONE, PARTS CHANGED AND MONEY PAID. NO CHANGE. THE CAR WILL STALL AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR A WHILE, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER. NOW IT STALLS CONSTANTLY. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO FIVE DIFFERENT MECHANICS PLUS THE FORD DEALERSHIP AGAIN, AND NO ONE CAN TELL US WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. DIAGNOSTICS ARE CONSTANTLY BEING DONE. PARTS CHANGED "JUST TO SEE" AND MORE AND MORE MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED EXCEPT IT IS GETTING WORSE. MY DAUGHTER IS NOW EXPECTING HER FIRST CHILD AND THE CAR IS HERS. WE ARE AFRAID TO LET HER DRIVE IT ANYMORE BECAUSE OF ITS INSTABILITY. FORD KEEPS TELLING US TO BRING IT BACK TO THEM AND THEY'LL DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM...THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO YET AND NOW THEY WON'T EVEN RESPOND ANYMORE. SO FORD IS ULTIMATELY THE PROBLEM...ALONG WITH THEIR CAR. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. WE CAN'T SELL THE CAR THIS WAY. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER ONE WITHOUT SELLING THIS ONE FIRST. DO WE HAVE ANY RECOURSE AT THIS POINT? *NM

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AT 35 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK

MY THEN 20 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 1999 ESCORT ZX2. SHE STOPED AT A STOP SIGN, AND AS SHE BEGAN TO ACCELL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. SHE WAS SHAKEN UP, AND BURNED ON HER FACE AND ARMS. I REPORTED THIS TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY, THEY TOLD ME BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE AND WOULD NOT EVEN INESTIGATE THE CONCERN. THEY ADVISED ME TO CONTACT MY INSURANCE CO. I CONTACTED FARMERS INS. THEY SAID THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT IT WAS NOT COVERED. HOWEVER THEY AGREED TO PAY FOR A PORTION OF THE INVESTIGATION. A REPORT WAS MADE BY AN INDEPENDANT CO. THEY RECOMMENDED TAHT THE AIR BAG MODULE BE REMOVED AND SENT TO A QUALIFIED ENGINEER FOR EVALUATION. NORTH POINT FORD IN N.L.R. AR. REMOVED THE PART, AND FARMERS SENT IT TO BE EVALUATED. IN THE MEAN TIME MY VEHICLE IS DAMAGED AND NO ONE WILL HELP. I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING MORE FROM FARMERS, AS OF 1-31-05. I KNOW THAT FORD HAS RECALLED OTHER YEAR MODEL ESCORTS FOR THE SAME POSSIBLE CONCERN, BUT THEY REFUSE TO HELP ME OR EVEN INVESTIGATE. I HAD ESP TO 100,000 MILES , I CARRY FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE, AND THIS KIND OF DAMAGE AND INJURY IS NOT COVERED , THIS DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT TO ME . IS THERE ANYTHING MORE I CAN DO. PLEASE ADVISE. *AK

AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A SAFETY INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT. *TC

WHENEVER IT RAINS AND I DRIVE IN A PUDDLE OF WATER MY SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF, CAUSING MY CAR TO HAVE NO POWER STEERING AND MY BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. EVERYTIME THIS HAPPENS I GO TO MY MECHANIC AND HE HAS TO MANUALLY PUT THE BELT BACK ON. THE MECHANIC TELLS ME HE DOESN'T KNOW WHY THIS KEEPS HAPPENING AND DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT BECAUSE HE'S INSPECTED MY VEHICLE AND CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *AK

DRIVING IN THE RAIN, RUNNING THROUGH PUDDLES CAUSES MY SERPENTINE BELT TO COME OFF. HAD A MECHANIC PUT THE BELT BACK ON. NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BELT OR THE TENSION. APPARENTLY JUST GETTING THE BELT WET IS ENOUGH TO HAVE IT WALK OFF THE BOTTOM PULLEY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I OF COURSE LOSE MY POWER STEERING AND IT RUNS MY BATTERY DOWN.*AK

1999 FORD ESCORT, 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, STATION WAGON: OIL LEAKED THROUGH THE CAMSHAFT BOLTS INTO THE MANUAL CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, CAUSING IT TO GUM UP AND EVENTUALLY FAIL TO DISENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION. SYMPTOMS INCLUDED THE CAR LURCHING FORWARD WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE WITH THE CLUTCH FULLY DEPRESSED, AND A THUMPING SOUND WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED WHILE DRIVING. THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE BY KAYSER FORD IN MADISON WI; UNCLEAR WHAT WAS DONE WITH THE OLD PARTS.*JB

MY CAR HAS 55000 MILES AND ITS A 1999 ESCORT.Y TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE REPLACED THE TIMING BELT, THIS AT LESS THAN 55000 MILES? I WAS DRIVING ON A VERY BUSY STREET AND THE CAR DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE SHOP REPLACED THE TIMING BELT AND THE PULLY'S. NOW I HAVE GONE TO WORK MONDAY MORNING AND CAME OUT TO GO HOME, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN, JUST TRIED TO TURN OVER. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE SHOP AGAIN, NOW ITS THE FUEL PUMP. THERE IS NO WAY THAT ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS SHOULD HAVE STARTED TO HAPPEN YET ON THIS CAR. THERE ARE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH IT, I NEED SOME RESOLUTION ON THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE HAPPENING.*AK

FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION FOR 1999 FORD ESCORT PURCHASED NEW. I BOUGHT THIS FOR MY THEN 72 YEAR OLD MOTHER WHO PUT 29,000 MILES ON THE CAR.

WHILE SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO SHIFT THE GEARS AND A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES, AND IS CURRENTLY IN THERAPY. *AK *SC *JB

TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES BECAUSE IT WENT BAD WITHIN AT 47,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION MADE A NOISE LIKE IT WAS STRAINING TO GO INTO GEAR. IT FELT LIKE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN IN SECOND GEAR INSTEAD OF DRIVE. DEALERSHIP ONLY REPLACED TRANSMISSION, BUT DID NOT PROVIDE A CAUSE FOR THE PROBLEM.*AK

WHEN I TOOK MY CAR (1999 FORD ESCORT STATIONWAGON VIN.#[XXX]) IN FOR ITS OIL CHANGE & INSPECTION. IT FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE A REAR COIL SPRING WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED IN HALF. THE CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD, BUT ONLY HAD 8,953 MILES ON IT. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN AND ONLY DRIVE THE CAR ON A LIMITED BASIS, USUALLY FOR SHOPPING OR TO A DOCTOR'S OFFICE. I WAS TOLD THE THE SPRING WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY AND WAS CHARGED A TOTAL OF $412.99 (PLUS TAX) FOR THIS REPAIR. I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT FORD DIRECTLY TO SEE IF ANYTHING COULD BE DONE TO COMPENSATE ME. MY SON CALLED FORD'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS # AND WAS TOLD TO SEE THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER, WHO WOULD THEN SUBMIT THE CLAIM FOR ME. AFTER 2 SEPERATE VISITS TO THE DEALER, MY SON WAS TOLD: 1) THE MANAGER HAD GONE HOME EARLY THAT DAY & THAT ONLY THE MANAGER COULD DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM. ON THE NEXT DAY 2) THE MANAGER WAS IN A MEETING (FRIDAY AFTERNOON @ 4:00 PM) & COULD NOT BE DISTURBED. MY SON RETURNED HOME & CALLED FORDS CUSTOMER RELATIONS #. HE WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER HAD CALLED AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY COMPENSTAION. AS FOR THE BROKEN COIL SPRING, MY SON HAD TOLD ME TO REQUEST THE BROKEN PARTS AND I DO HAVE THEM. WHEN THE SPRING BROKE, I DO NOT NO BECAUSE THE RIDE OF THE CAR WAS ALWAYS THE SAME AS WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. NOW WITH THE NEW SPRINGS, THE REAR OF THE CAR RIDES HIGHER.*AK UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552

TOOK VEHICLE FOR SAFETY INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD ONE BACK SPRING HAD CRACKED AND OTHER HAD MOVED OFF MOUNTING WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO FURTHER MOVE AND PUNCTURE TIRE. FORD CORP. SAID NO RECALL ISSUED BUT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER DID NOT HAVE PARTS, WERE ON BACK ORDER, DIDN'T KNOW WHEN AVAILABLE. *LA

DEFECTIVE VEHICLE BACK SPRINGS. BOTH BACK SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND I PAID TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. FORD KNEW THEY WERE DEFECTIVE SINCE THEY HAD RE-DESIGNED THE SPRINGS. THE NEW SPRINGS WERE PUT ON AND NOW THE WHOLE VEHICLE BOUNCES ON THE ROAD. HANDLING IS BAD AND IF I HAVE TO TRAVEL ON A BUMPY ROAD I HAVE TO TAKE A DRAMININE. I HAVE PAID TO HAVE INSTALLED 6 NEW SPRINGS AND 8 STRUTS BUT I STILL GET SEASICK DRIVING MY CAR. IT IS SO BUMPY MY NECK HURTS RIDING IN MY CAR. *LA

OUR ZX2 HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE! ON 9-10-02 (29,183 MILES) $342.30 WORTH OF WORK WAS DONE ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM: FRICTION RELINE, DISC PADS, BRAKE SHOES, ROTORS, DRUMS, DISC HARDWARE (WHICH WAS BROKEN), SHIM KIT, RETURN SPRINGS (WEAK), BLEED & ADJUST, AND BEARING PACK. ON 6-19-03 (37,829 MILES) WE HAD TO HAVE THE COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE COST FOR THIS WAS $1560.07, BUT SINCE OUR WARRANTY HAD JUST EXPIRED OUR LOCAL MECHANIC HAD FIREND AT A FORD DEALER WHO GAVE US THE 'GOOD FAITH' POLICY AND WE ONLY PAID HALF. GEE...WHAT A BARGAIN FOR A 4 YEAR OLD CAR. 2 MONTHS LATER, OUR A/C WENT OUT. W DELAYED REPAIR DUE TO $. ON 2-10-04 (44,000 MILES) THE HOUSING AND WATER PUMP BROKE. THIS IS A HUGE METAL PIECE WHICH THE MECHANIC SAID HE'D HAD NEVER SEEN BREAK. IT SNAPPED LIKE PLASTIC. THE COST OF THIS WAS $509.47. ON 2-24-04 (44,428 MILES) WE HAD TO HAVE THE BATTERY AND CABELS REPLACED WHICH COST $117.58. ON 3-22-04 WE REPAIRED THE A/C (45,524 MILES). THE TECHNICIAN FOUND CONSTANT CONTROL RELAY MODULE FAULTY. THIS COST $375.76. ON 4-25-04 (@ 45,700 MILES) ANOTHER HUGE METAL PIECE BROKE! IT WAS THE SERP. TENSION HOUSING AND BELT. THE MECHANIC AGAIN SAID HE HAS NEVER SEEN THAT PROBLEM, SPECIAL ORDERED THE PART FROM A FORD DEALER WHO WAS ALSO SHOCKED. THIS COST US $195.96. SO FAR, WE HAVE SUNK $2321.11 INTO THIS CAR. THE WORST PART IS THAT WE STILL OWE ON IT. MAY OF '04 WE WENT TO LOU GRUBB FORD AND WERE TOLD THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE OUR OIL CHANGES WERE NOT DONE AT

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKE ON A 1999 FORD ESCORT WAGON WITH 102000 MILES PROVIDING VERY DANGEROUS HANDLING SITUATION. THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND IS DUE TO POOR DESIGN.*AK

WHILE DRIVING SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

CAR WAS NOT SEALED BEFORE IT WAS PAINTED,SO THE PAINT IS CHIPPING AWAY,AND RUST IS BEGINNING TO SHOW,ON THE HOOD,TOP,AND TRUNK OF CAR.*AK

THE VEHICLE WAS VERY NOISY WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN THE ENGINE, HOWEVER IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. *AK PLASTIC WAS USED INSTEAD OF METAL. *SC *JB

I HAD TO PUT AN ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR LAST YEAR. NOW MY AC DOESN'T WORK AND I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AND PUT A NEW ALTERNATOR IN IT TOO. I HAVE HAD ISSUE AFTER ISSUE WITH MY ZX2. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS FAILED. DEALER STATED THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTORS WERE COMPLETELY CHARRED. *AK

1999 ESCORT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY REPLACED AT 30,906 MILES (6/8/2001). 35,386 MILES LATER (3/30/2004), THE DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY BLEW UP AND DESTROYED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. FORD'S CUSTOMER SUPPORT CNTR ON 4/6/04 SAID I WOULD BE RESPONDED TO WITHIN 3 BUSINESS DAYS. I TRIED E-MAILING THEM AGAIN, AND I STILL HAVE NO RESPONSE. A TOTAL OF 66,292 MILES AND TWO NEW TRANSMISSIONS BROKEN. TODAY IS SIX BUSINESS DAYS LATER. I FEEL I AM NOW BEING IGNORED BY FORD. THEY KNOW I HAVE BOUGHT 8 FORD CARS/TRUCKS SINCE 1977. I HAVE DMV RECORDS FOR 6 OF THEM.

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. UPON IMPACT, FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES ALL OVER THE BODY, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

TRANSMISSION VERY ERRATIC WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT UP AND DOWN ALL THE TIME. ALSO MAKES A WHINNING NOISE ON OCCASION.*AK

MY 1999 FORD ESCORT EXCESSIVELY STALLS, IDLES LOW AND ACTS LIKE IT IS CHOKING WHEN I HAVE COME TO A STOP OR I AM STARTING THE CAR. THE CAR STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT STOP LIGHTS. IT SEEMS LIKE WHEN THESE CARS REACH A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE THEY SHUTDOWN. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY HAD ME CHANGE THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR, THROTTLE BODY, REPLACE ENGINE MOUNTS, REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION TWICE AND THE CAR STILL STALLS AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO GO BAD. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON OTHER CONSUMERS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE TYPE AND HAVE NOTICED THAT THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE TYPE AND CONSUMERS NEED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MONEY SPENT ON REPAIRS. PLEASE HAVE THIS INVESTIGATED BECAUSE THE CARS ARE UNUSABLE AND DANGEROUS. THIS SUDDEN STALLS WHEN DRIVING CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *LA

AFTER HITTING A GUARD RAIL 70 MPH ON DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR ARM INJURIES. *AK

CAR IDLED AT 4-5 RPM BUT WAS NOT ACCELERATING. FELT TREMENDOUS PULLING WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. UPON DECELERATION ALL SERVICE LIGHTS CAME ON AND CAR SHUT DOWN.

BLOWN OR CRACKED HEAD GASKET PVC HOSE HOLE 62,000 RIDING ON FREEWAY NO INDICATION LIGHTS CAR LOST POWER

THE CLEARCOAT ON THE BLACK PAINT OF MY 1999 FORD ESCORT ZX2 HAS CRACKED. THERE ARE FINE WHITE CRACKS COVERING THE CAR BODY BUT MAINLY ON THE HOOD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERS AUTO BODY SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT AND THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER BLACK CARS. SO FAR BOTH THE DEALER, GUS JOHNSON FORD, AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE HAVE REFUSED TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THIS VEHICLE IS COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY.

I HAVE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN MY 1999 FORD ESCORT, WHICH I AM SECOND OWNER OF. I CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER FROM WHERE PURCHASED AS USED CAR, YORK MOTORS, WHOM TOLD ME TO CONTACT LOCAL FORD DEALER, GALPIN FORD. TONY PACINI, AT GALPIN, CONTACTED SCOTTSDALE FORD ENGINEER, WITH PICS I PROVIDED OF DEFECT. AFTER A FEW WEEKS ENGINEER WAS ABLE TO COME TO MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT AND SEE IT UP CLOSE. ENGINEER CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR QUARTER PANEL FOR THE CAR HAD BEEN "PRESSED TO THIN" IN THE MANUFACTURING PHASE. I GOT THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR, AS THEY REQUESTED, FOR APPROX. $1500.00. NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THIS FITS UNDER THEIR "GOOD WILL" POLICY AND I WOULD BE LUCKY IF FORD WILL PAY FOR 50% OF THE REPAIRS. THE DAMAGE IS AN OPEN GASH OF 17" IN THE REAR DOOR CASING. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN, WHOM RIDE IN THE BACK AND CAN CUT THEMSELVES SEVERLY WITH THIS FAULT. ACCORDING TO THE BODY SHOP, WHERE I GOT ESTIMATE AND WHOM TOLD ME TO DO THIS COMPLAINT, THE REPAIR PROCEDURE THAT FORD INITIALLY REQUESTED WOULD HINDER THE PROPER CRASH COMPRESSION OF THE CAR AND THEREFORE INCREASE DANGER IN AN ACCIDENT. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I HAD ORIGINALLY ASKED THE FORD ENGINEER AND MR. PACINI THAT IF FORD WAS NOT WILLING TO CONSUME THE COST OF REPAIRS, THAT I WOULD BE WILLING TO GIVE THEM THE CAR AND TAKE MY CHOICE OFF THEIR USED CAR LOT, WITH NO DIFFERENCE IN MY CAR PAYMENTS OR COST. JUST A FLAT OUT TRADE. IF YOU NEED THE CORRESPONDENCES I HAVE ENCURRED WITH FORD I WOULD BE GLAD TO FORWARD THEM TO YOU WITH PICTU