2000 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, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES OF YOUR VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 26, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. TENSIONER ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING SHREDDING THE BELT. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED.

THE FIRST DEFECT IS ABOUT THE SHIFTING GEARS LIGHT. I CAN NOT SEE THE SHIFTING GEARS AT NIGHT UNLESS I TURN THE CAR'S LIGHT ON OR SOMETIMES I USE A LIGHT APP TO SEE THEM. THIS IS BECAUSE THE SHIFTING GEARS DON'T SHOW UP ON THE SCREEN AND ALSO THERE'S NO LED LIGHTS FOR THE SHIFTING GEARS THE OTHER PROBLEM I WANT TO REPORT IS THAT THESE CARS HAVE ALWAYS HAD LOUD NOISES AND I AM SUSPECTING THERE'S TRANSMISSION/ENGINE DEFECTS. NOW I AM LEFT WITH A DISABLED VEHICLE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION JUST DECIDED TO BREAK ON ME, I DROVE IT PERFECTLY FINE THE DAY BEFORE IT BROKE DOWN. THE NEXT DAY, AS I WAS USING THE CAR, I TURNED IT ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME REALLY HARD AND THE CAR WAS MOVING SUPER SLOWLY SO I DECIDED TO PARK IT RIGHT BACK. AFTER I TOLD A MECHANIC EXPERT ABOUT IT, HE TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE. I DON'T HAVE NO MONEY TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT COST A LOT OF MONEY. FORD SHOULD REALLY TAKE A LOOK AT THIS VEHICLE AND FIX THE MANY DEFECTS THEY CAME UP WITH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES AND CRASHED INTO A VAN. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH SUCH AN EXTREME FORCE THAT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE, CHEST, AND RIGHT ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

MY WIFE WAS RETURNING HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL WHERE OUR DAUGHTER RECEIVED OUTPATIENT CHEMO THERAPY . AT THE FIRST LIGHT LEAVING THE HOSPITAL THE CAR STARTED SHAKING. MY DAUGHTER THOUGHT HER DOOR WAS OPEN , SO SHE OPENED THE DOOR AND CLOSED IT TO VERIFY THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THEY ENTERED THE HIGHWAY AND WENT ABOUT 1/4 MILE AND THE CAR MADE A RUMBLING NOISE AND 1 OR 2 MINUTES LATER THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS DRAGING SOMETHING. MY WIFE PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND CALLED ME. I WENT DOWN TO ASSIST HER IN CHANGING THE FLAT TIRE.THE TIRE SIDE WALL ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE SEPERATED IN SEVERAL PLACES . THERE ARE 11 PLACES WHERE THE BELTS SEPERATED CAUSING INSTANTIOUS FAILURE.. ALL SEPERATIONS OCCURED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE. THERE IS NO SIGN OF ANYTHING PUNCTURING THE TIRE TO CAUSE IT TO GO FLAT. THERE IS NO SIGN OF ANY OBJECDT CONTACTING THE TIRE ANYWHERE EXCEPT FOR NORMAL TIRE WEAR ON THE TREAD SURFACE OF THE TIRE. I HAVE THE TIRE IF YOU WANT TO ANNALISE IT.LUCKILY THEY WERE NOT AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED YET WHERE THEY COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS MAINTAIINED REGULARY AND THE TIRES ARE IN ALMOST NEW CONDITION. THE CORRECT TIRE SIZE IS NOT LISTED ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE IT IS IRONMAN 195 60 R15. DOT CODE 53JL OTHER NUMBERS INCLUED ON THE TIRE ARE SH09 4409 INSIDE A BOX IS: C4 FOLLOWED BY 0248560S IMAX. ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE IS A CIRCLE WITH E4 INSIDE OF IT FOLLOWED BY 0244851. I THINK THAT IS ALL OF THE IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ON THE TIR

FORD ESCORT 2000 COUPE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON; I.E., MY WIFE GOT IN THE CAR AND BEFORE SHE EVEN STARTED THE ENGINE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE REAR WINDOW WITH DEFROSTER SHATTERED INTO A MILLION PIECES. *TR

BURN OUT MOTOR. *TR

VEHICLE DROPS IN RPM WHILE STOPPING...UPON RESEARCH OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM...THIS IS ON THE FORD ESCORT ZX2...ALL MODELS FROM 1999-TO NOW... *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD ESCORT. IN AN ATTEMPT TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES AND AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PUT ON A LIFT, THE TIRE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS FAILED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS REGARDING THE SPRINGS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,009 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD ESCORT. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY BRAKE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 71,642, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.*AK UPDATED 05/23/07. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HIT AND FRACTURE THE WINDSHIELD AT 35 MPH. THE ACCIDENT WAS A REAR END COLLISION. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEATBELT. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ON PRIOR TO THE CRASH. PICTURES WERE AVAILABLE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN EAST GRAND FORKS, MINNESOTA ON 02/28/06 I WAS GOING NORTH ON 5TH AVE N.E. AND T-BONED THE OTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON 10TH ST N.E. THEY FAILED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ALL THE WAY OUT THEY POPPED OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BUT THE AIR BAG LAYED IN MY LAP AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND VEHICLES CAME TO A REST I STILL HEARD THE AIR BAGS TRYING TO INFLATE ON IMPACT MY DRIVERS DOOR ALSO FLEW OPEN AND MY SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DID NOT LOCK I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE VEHICLE. *JB

DT: CALLER'S SON WAS IN AS ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT, REAR AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AT THE SPEED OF 30 MPH. CAR WAS THROWN 150 FEET WITH NO SKID MARKS. CALLER'S SON WAS SEVERELY INJURED, AND HAS BEEN IN REHABILITATION. DEALER HAS NEVER CALLED THEM BACK. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CALLED MANY TIMES, AND DID NOT RETURN CALLS. *AK

THE LEFT REAR SHOULDER/LAP BELTS CONSTANTLY TIGHTENED ON 9 YEAR OLD CHILD WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SEAT BELT GOT SO TIGHT THAT THE CONSUMER SAUGHT ASSISTANCE FROM A NEAR BY POLICE OFFICER, WHO HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT TO FREE THEIR CHILD. *AK

THIS COMPLAINT IS TAKEN C/O LINDA BARTKO. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PERFORMS ERRATICALLY, ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL. GEARS FAIL TO ENGAGE WHEN SHIFTED. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DEALERSHIPS, AND NEITHER ONE COULD DETERMINE THE CAUSE. CONSUMER WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER, BUT NO RESOLUTION WAS GIVEN. ONE DEALERSHIP WAS SHULTS AT 412-828-2300. *AK

STERING COLUMN LOCKED,HAD TO BE TOWED.TOW DRIVER SAID THIRD ONE HE HAD THIS WEEK,CAR IS NOW AT FORD DEALOR. IT WILL BE REPAIRED.*AK

CRASH WITH INJURIES, FRONT END DAMAGE TO 2000, FORD, ESCORT ZX2 HEAD INJURIES DUE TO LOW AIRBAGS. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER HAD HEAD INJURIES BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS PROVIDED NO HEAD/NECK PROTECTION. *AK

THE BELT TENSIONER PULLEY BROKE FROM THE ARM. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE PART BROKE. *AK *SC

CONSUMER'S WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED OVER INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE LANE AND HIT IT HEAD ON. THE DRIVER 'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO HOLD THE DRIVER IN. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIRS BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. THE AMBULANCE WAS CALLED, BUT THE DRIVER REFUSED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. SHE WENT ON HER ON THE SAME DAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A USED CAR DEALER, WHO DID NOT ASSIST THE CONSUMER IN REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMER SERVICED THE BRAKES, BUT DID AN INSUFFICIENT JOB, THUS MAGNIFYING THE PROBLEM EVEN GREATER. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE HAD A BRAKE PROBLEM. *AK

LARGE CHUNKS OF TREAD CAME OFF THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT LEFT TIRE, AND CRACKS HAD DEVELOPED ON THE SIDE WALL. THIS RESULT IN THE VEHICLE SHAKING SEVERELY WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP WILL BE CONTACTED. *JB

I WOULD LIKE TO REFERENCE ODI CASES # 8016196, 1451010 AND PARTICULARLY 881231 IN REFERENCE TO MY FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, MY POWER STEERING, AC AND ALTERNATOR WENT OUT WHEN THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE. THE BELT WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE WATER PUMP TENSIONER, WHICH LITERALLY SNAPPED AWAY FROM THE WATER PUMP HOUSING AND BROKE THE WATER PUMP HOUSING IN 3 PIECES. MY MECHANIC ALSO SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS - BUT HE FOUND IT VERY INTERESTING THAT FORD HAD THE WATER PUMP HOUSING IN STOCK IN THEIR PARTS DEPARTMENT. THE WATER PUMP, THE HOUSING, THE TENSIONER AND THE SERPENTINE BELT WERE ALL REPLACED AT THE CONSUMER'S COST.

I'VE HAD MY FORD ESCORT ZX2 FOR A YEAR NOW. I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A DEALERSHIP. RECENTLY I'VE NOTICED A MAJOR DECLINE IN PERFORMANCE. IT IDLES LOW, THE HORSEPOWER IS GONE, AND WHEN SITTING FOR PERIODS OF TIME IT HAS PROBLEMS STARTING. LAST WEEKEND I HAD A FORD CERTIFIED MECHANIC PERFORM A COMPUTER AND MECHANICAL DIAGNOSTIC ON IT TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. SO, HE CHECKED SERVICE BULLETINS FOR IT AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A BULLETIN ON ITS VARIABLE CAM TIMING DTC. HE FELT THAT THIS WAS WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING OVER 50 MPH THROUGH A WATER PUDDLE ENGINE STALLED. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THAT ENGINE BLEW OUT. *AK

DUE TO A POOR DESIGN AIR CONDITIONER HOSE WAS IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH THE VEHICLE'S RADIATOR. THIS CAUSED A HOLE IN THE AIR CONDITIONER HOSE, WHICH CASED FREON TO ESCAPE, AND POSSIBLY CAUSE HARM TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE BUT WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM.*AK

MY DAUGHTER HAD A FRONT END COLLISION AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT RELEASE. SHE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND A 2000 HONDA ACCORD CAME AROUND THE CORNER AND HIT HER HEAD ON ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *AK

MY CAR HAS HAD 4 TRANSMISSIONS BEFORE 40,000 MILES AND NOW AT 102,000 MILES I'M HAVING TO PUT A NEW MOTOR IN. THIS CAR HAS HAD EXCELLENT CARE AND MAINTENCE AND NO REASON FOR THIS. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND LOUD NOICE STARTED SO I STOPPED AND HAD IT TOWED FORD SAID IT WAS THE MOTOR WAS NO GOOD KNOW. THIS CAR HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE MOTOR TILL THEN.

WHILE THE VEHICLE IS SITTING IDLING, THERE IS A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE THROW OUT AND MAIN BEARING ON THE CRANK SHAFT. *NM THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE MORE OPTIONS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *SC *JB

CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION PREMATURELY. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 60, 000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM CRACKED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

ON NUMEROUS OCASSIONS FROM AUGUST, 2002 THROUGH THE PRESENT (FEBRUARY 7, 2004), WE HAVE HAD THE FUSES LABELLED "STOP" AND "HAZARD" HAVE BLOWN WHILE DRIVING. THIS RESULTS IN THE FOLLOWING FAILURES: (1) WHEN THE "STOP" FUSE BLOWS, THE STOP LIGHTS DO NOT FUNCTION (WHICH IS UNKNOWN TO THE DRIVER AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH IF THE PERSON FOLLOWING DOES NOT REALIZE WHEN THE CAR HAS ITS BRAKES APPLIED); (2) THE "STOP" FUSE BLOWING ALSO CAUSES THE SHIFT LOCK TO NOT FUNCTION, RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE UNLESS THE OVERRIDE IS APPLIED; (3) WHEN THE "HAZARD" FUSE BLOWS, THIS RESULTS IN AN IMMEDIATE STALLING OF THE CAR, WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF IT OCCURS IN TRAFFIC AND COULD CAUSE A FATALITY; (4) THE "HAZARD" FUSE BLOWING ALSO RESULTS IN THE TURN SIGNALS AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS FAILING TO FUNCTION, SO OTHER DRIVERS DO NOT EVEN KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE GONE THROUGH A NUMBER OF FUSES TO TEMPORARILY FIX THESE PROBLEMS.*AK

FORD ESCORT I WAS HAVING RUNNING A MISS DURING WARRANTY ALSO WHEN ON A LONG TRIP WE HAD A LOSS OF POWER WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY LOOKED AND DID NOTHING. SO THEY SAID IT WAS JUST THE CAR. AT 36,000 MILES WE HAD STALLING AT INTERSECTIONS AND HARD STARTING I HAD REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND EVERYTHING WAS OK NOW. WE AT NO TIME RUN FUEL BELOW 1/4 OF A TANK. I CONTACTED FORD THEY SAID THEY DID NOT CARE BECAUSE IT WAS BEYOND WARRANTY. I FEEL THAT DURING WARRANTY THEY COULD HAVE FIXED IT FORD DID NOT. NEXT WE WERE IN CLOSE CALLS FOR ACCIDENTS WITH THIS CAR. EVEN DURING WARRANTY THE LACK OF POWER I COMPLAINED. THEY DID NOTHING. NOW THAT THE PROBLEM IS FIXED I FEEL FORD SOLD US A CAR WHICH DID NOT PERFORM AS AGREED AND DID NOT CARE ABOUT THE PROBLEM WE TOOK IT IN 7 TIMES TO FIX THIS DURING WARRANTY. THANK YOU DANIEL KING *LA

I AM EXPERIENCING STALLING PROBLEMS WHEN I STOP AT LIGHTS OR THE VEHICLE IS IDLING. IT LOOSES COMPRESSION. I HAD IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AROUND 35,000 MILES..NOW AT 47,000 MILES I'M EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. ORIGINALLY THEY REPLACED WIRING HARNESS AND AIR INTAKE VALVE SO FAR PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED AS TO WHY IT'S STALLING AGAIN.

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THE CAR HAD 2400 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BEEN PRE OWNED. THEY SOLD IT TO ME SAYING IT WAS NEW BUT SOMEONE ELSE PUT 2400 MILES ON IT. NOW I FELL THATS THE REASON WHY MY TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELEY. FORD HAS DENIED ME A AWA BECAUSE THEY SAID I'M NOT A LOYAL CUSTOMER JUST BECAUSE I GOT MY TRANSMISSION SERVICED SOMEWHERE ELSE. THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME OUT PLEASE E-MAIL/CALL ME AT ANY TIME TO TELL ME WHAT STEPS I COULD TAKE TO HAVE FORD PAY SOME/ALL OF THE COST OF REPAIR TO MY TRANSMISSION. THANKS AGAIN, KEON WALKER

I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN SO MANY TIMES TO EVEN COUNT. 9 TIMES SINCE MAY 28TH FOR THE SUSPENSION. THEY HAVE REPLACED CV JOINT 3 TIMES, STRUTS, AXLE SUSPENSIONS ALL ON THE LEFT SIDE. FRIDAY, JULY 11TH THE HAVE REPLACED THE RIGHT SIDE. AND YESTERDAY JYLY 14TH THE CRACKING NOISE IS BACK. THE EXACT NOISE IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR MANY TIMES. WHICH I BELIEVE HAVE CAUSED MY TIRES TO GO BALD. BUT FORD DOES NOT BELIEVE THIS.

WHEN MAKING LEFT/RIGHT TURNS THROTTLE STUCK. VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO STOP VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL NUMEROUS TIMES. *AK

1 WEEK AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT RAN ROUGH WHEN THE HEATER OR AIR WASS ON. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND THE TACHOMETER CONTINUALLY MOVES UP AND DOWN FROM LESS THEN 1RMP TO 2 RMP. RUNS REALLY ROUGH DOESN'T WANT TO DRIVE. FEELS LIKE A VERY OLD CAR. THE CLUTCH IS FUNNY. THE CAR IS A LEMON!!!! I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER APPROX. 4 TIMES. LAST TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ARROW SETTING ON THE HEATER TAKES MORE OF A DRAW ON THE ENGINE HOW STUPID WAS THIS ANSWER. THE OTHER SCENARIO THEY GAVE ME WAS THE GAS I WAS USING. WHAT YEAR ARE WE IN? *NLM

MY 2000 FORD ZX2 IDLER PULLEY BROKE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BELT TENSIONER AND WATER PUMP HOUSING. THE MECHANIC SAYS THAT THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL, HE HAS NEVER HEARD OF SUCH PROBLEMS WITH ANY VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A FLUKE OR A DESIGN FLAW. COULD YOU CHECK INTO IT. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHENEVER THE GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE REVVED, BUT DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONSUMER HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW. ONE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER. *AK THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED AND SHIFTED HARSHLY, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE WITH THE BRAKING AT ALL TIMES, THE PLASTIC MOLDING INTERIOR OF THE DRIVER MIRROR WAS LOOSE, THERE WAS A SLOW START WHEN COLD OR DAMP WEATHER IS PRESENT,THE VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE ROUGH IDLE AT THE STOP POSITION, THE CD PLAYER HAD BEEN LOOKED AT THREE TIMES, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS LOOKED AT THREE TIMES AND REMAINED INOPERATIVE. *SC

SEAT BELTS WILL NOT BUCKLE, EXCEPT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH WARRANTY STANDARDS.*AK

AT 36,150 MILES (150 MILES OVER WARRANTY) THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2000 FORD ESCORT FAILED COMPLETELY. IT WOULD GO FORWARD ON ALL GEARS, INCLUDING PARK AND REVERSE. THEN, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO 2ND WITHOUT MANUAL SHIFTING OF THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTER. THE DEALERSHIP APPEARS TO BE TRYING (NOTE: APPEARS) TO GET FACTORY PARTICIPATION, HOWEVER, WHEN I CONTACTED FORD NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY DECLINED SUPPORT AS IT WAS PAST WARRANTY. READING OTHER NTSB COMPLAINTS, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCORTS, THEY APPEAR TO BE DESIGNED TO LAST EXACTLY THROUGH THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND NO LONGER. THAT'S A TERRIBLE TESTIMONY FOR AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURING. *LA

CONSUMER NOTICED AFTER TRAVELING THROUGH EIGHT INCHES OF WATER THE ENGINE BLEW OUT AT 14000 MILES. *AK *NM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UNDER DASHBOARD BURNT UP

ALUMINUM CASTING CRACKED ON AIR CONDITIONER BRACKET CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO COME OFF MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. *JB

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2000 FORD ESCORT ZX2 HAS GONE BAD. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND THAT IT CAN OCCUR FROM 15,000 MILES+. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE 2 BANDS THAT CONTROL THE 2ND, 3RD, AND 4TH GEARS HAVE BROKE. AND IT IS GOING TO COST ME AT LEAST $1,000 TO FIX IT. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. TOOK VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER, DEALER STATED THAT ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WITHOUT WARRANTY. *AK

ON JUNE 21, 2003, I WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT APPROX. 30 MPH. I ATTEMPTED TO SPEED UP AND FOUND THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE I WAS FORCED TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE A TOW TRUCK PICKED IT UP AND TOWED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. APPROX. 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS TIME I BEGAN NOTICING A "SPASMODIC HESITATING MOTION" IN THE CAR WHENEVER I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM AN IDLE POSITION. I ASSUMED THAT A TUNE-UP WAS NEEDED AND TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD THAT THE HESITATION COULD NOT BE DETECTED, NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, AND BASED ON THE MAKE AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE I WAS NOT REQUIRED A TUNE-UP UNTIL 100,000 MILES HAD BEEN REACHED. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. FOR A WHILE I EVEN RELENTED AND DECIDED THAT PERHAPS THE PROBLEM WAS IN MY HEAD. FINALLY, FEBRUARY 2003 I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER FORD DEALERSHIP DUE TO THE PROBLEM AND THE MECHANICS RE-CALIBRATED THE CAR'S COMPUTER SYSTEM UNDER THE BELIEF THAT THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT A ROUTINE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE TOOK PLACE AND EVERYTHING WAS OPERATING AS NORMAL, AND IN FACT AT THAT TIME THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS EVEN TOPPED OFF. THE "SPASMODIC HESITATING MOTION" OF THE VEHICLE UPON ACCELERATION CONTINUED UP UNTIL THE ABOVE DATE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. AT THIS TIME, THE MECHANIC ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT BELIEVE THE HESITATION OF T

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2000 FORD ESCORT ZX2 NEEDED TO REBUILT AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES AND THREE MONTHS BEYOND THE NORMAL WARRANTY. I SPOKE WITH FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY THERE IS NO OBLIGATION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER ANY TYPE OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, I FEEL SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD THIS MAJOR TYPE OF PROBLEM SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED FORD SHOULD CONSIDER THIS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE. FORD'S UNWILLINGNESS TO ASSIST ME LEAVES A VERY SOUR TASTE FOR ME. I INVESTIGATED THE HISTORY OF THESE VEHICLES BEFORE PURCHASING THIS UNIT AND FOUND THAT THEY HAD TRANSMISSION TROUBLE EARLY IN THE FIRST YEARS OF PRODUCTION. NOW, I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM FIRST HAND. SECONDLY, THE OTHER U.S. AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS HAVE LONGER POWER TRAIN WARRANTIES. THIS SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT FORD IS UNWILLING TO STAND BEHIND THEIR POWER TRAINS AND WE SHOULD EXPECT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM AT 40,000 MILES??????? *NLM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *JB

CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO REAR END THE VEHICLE AHEAD. *JG

WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO CRASH INTO A TRUCK, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. TS *JB