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U.S. public vehicle records

1996 Ford ESCORT: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

205 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

86,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1996 model year. Data updated: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 32 of 205 complaints (15.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior167.8%
Electrical and battery issues94.4%
Engine operation73.4%
Steering behavior62.9%
Transmission and shifting42.0%
Fuel system concerns21.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Seat Belts
32
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
27
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
13
Air Bags:Frontal
12
Power Train
12
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
11
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
11
Air Bags
7
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Seat Belts32
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor27
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline13
Air Bags:Frontal12
Power Train12
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine11
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage11
Air Bags7

Seat Belts: 32; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 27; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 13; Air Bags:Frontal: 12; Power Train: 12; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 11; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 11; Air Bags: 7

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
5
75,000 to 99,999
5
100,000 to 149,999
6
150,000 and above
3
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9995
75,000 to 99,9995
100,000 to 149,9996
150,000 and above3

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 3

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 184 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1996
13
1997
27
1998
14
1999
30
2000
41
2001
26
2002
19
2003
8
2004
11
2005
4
2006
4
2007
2
2008
1
2010
1
2011
1
2012
1
2015
1
2016
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
199613
199727
199814
199930
200041
200126
200219
20038
200411
20054
20064
20072
20081
20101
20111
20121
20151
20161

1996: 13; 1997: 27; 1998: 14; 1999: 30; 2000: 41; 2001: 26; 2002: 19; 2003: 8; 2004: 11; 2005: 4; 2006: 4; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1

Pattern summary

Seat Belts leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10007825 · 2003-02-19 (February 19, 2003)

ABNORMAL RATE OF REAR SPRINGS ON LATE 90'S FORD ESCORT STATION WAGONS. I AM A MECHANIC WITH BROWNIES AUTO REPAIR IN WALKERSVILLE,MD. I PERSONALLY HAVE REPLACED THE REAR SPRINGS ON AT LEAST 8 ESCORT WAGONS. I HAVE CHECKED OTHER ESCORT WAGONS AND FIND MOST BROKEN IN THE SAME SPOT. COULD PUNCTURE TIRE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007825 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10010698 · 2003-03-18 (March 18, 2003)

CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. HAD IT LOOKED AT BY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SPEEDOMETER CABLE. THE SOUND IS GETTING LOUDER AND CAN BE VERY ANNOYING. *JB WAS SHOCKED AND SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT LEFT REAR COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CODE READS 1443. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM AND SAID IT MIGHT HAVE A BEEN LOOSE GAS CAP. HE RESET THE LIGHT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AFTER DRIVING 15 MILES, TOOK IT BACK TO SERVICE…

Owner-reported narrative. 55,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010698 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10015412 · 2003-04-08 (April 8, 2003)

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER AS DESIGNED, THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *JB *SCC

Owner-reported narrative. 106,359 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015412 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10018816 · 2003-05-16 (May 16, 2003)

PURCHASED A 1996 ESCORT AND MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE ORIGINAL GREEN PAINT JOB WAS NOT WORTHY OF THE CAR ITS ON. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018816 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10021040 · 2003-06-04 (June 4, 2003)

DEFECTIVE SPARK PLUG, ROBERT BOSCH CORP. AFTER A ROUTINE CHANGE OF SPARK PLUGS IN OUR 1996 FORD ESCORT, MY CAR QUIT RUNNING. THE BOSCH SPARK PLUG BLEW UP IN MY CAR. WE HAVE HAD THE TOP OF THE ENGINE REPAIRED FOR $900+ AND THE BOTTOM NEEDS REPAIR FOR $1000.+ WE HAVE CONTACTED THE COMPANY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, AND THEY IN FACT BLAME MY CAR!!!! WHEN THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE BEFORE THE INSTALLATION OF THE BOSCH SPARK PLUG. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR AND SINCE THIS HAPPENED LAST YEAR, THE KNOCK IN THE ENGINE IS GETTING LOUDER, SHE CAN NOT DRIVE IT …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021040 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10032197 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)

ON 7/17/2003 THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT WAS PULLED OUT FOR USE AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPAIRED THE RETRACTOR. CURRENTLY, PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT HAS DONE THE SAME THING. *AK *TS *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032197 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10037669 · 2003-08-26 (August 26, 2003)

REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED. THERE WAS NO UPPER BODY RESTRAINT FOR PASSENGERS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037669 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10049439 · 2003-12-09 (December 9, 2003)

SPONTANEOUS VEHICLE COMBUSTION: Y 1996 FORD ESCORT WAS STUCK 3 HRS. IN TRAFFIC JAM ON MAJOR NASSAU COUNTY, NY ROUTE IN MIDDLE OF SNOW STORM. FIRE STARTED FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, SPREADING TO DASHBOARD. HAD FIRE DEPT. NOT QUICKLY ARRIVED ON SCENE TO EXTINGUISH FIRE, A CHAIN REACTION OF EXPLODING VEHICLES MIGHT HAVE ENSUED INVOLVING HUNDREDS OF DRIVERS. FIRE DEPT. DESCRIBED FIRE AS ELECTRICAL IN ORIGIN.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049439 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

205 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

10.2%Usable mileage21 / 205 records
85.4%Valid incident date175 / 205 records
100.0%Valid filing date205 / 205 records
85.4%Ordered incident and filing dates175 / 205 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003
Seat Belts
74.6%
ODI 10318126 · 100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD ESCORT. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE SHE WAS REAR-ENDED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO HER HEAD AREA. SHE MENTIONED SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELTS AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH AND BELIEVED THE FAILURE OF THE SEATBELTS CONTRIBUTED TO HER INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

Look up ODI 10318126 at NHTSA ↗

76.9%
ODI 10351100

WHILE TRAVELING ON A FREEWAY AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 65 MILES PER HOUR, I ENDED UP IN A SKID ON DRY PAVEMENT. I DON'T REMEMBER HOW I GOT INTO THE SKID DUE TO HEAD INJURIES RECEIVED IN THE RESULTING ACCIDENT. THE CAR SKIDDED SIDEWAYS FOR QUITE A WAYS AND DID NOT RESPOND NORMALLY TO ATTEMPTS TO STEER IT. PERHAPS THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING. THE CAR EVENTUALLY HIT THE RAISED CONCRETE RUMBLE STRIPS WHILE SKIDDING SIDEWAYS. THE CAR THEN FLIPPED OVER IN THE AIR AND TUMBLED DOWN THE MEDIAN, WITH THE FIRST IMPACT LIKE…

Look up ODI 10351100 at NHTSA ↗

4513.8%
ODI 10057240 · 135,000 mi

AUTOMATIC PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN OPENING THE DOOR. MECHANISM JAMMED, AND HAD TO BE MANUALLY DISCONNECTED TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *NM

Look up ODI 10057240 at NHTSA ↗

148.6%
ODI 10068870 · 111,000 mi

THE ATOMATIC SEATBELT IS NOT RUNNING IN IT'S TRACK CONTINUOUSLY. IT HAS DECIDED TO WORK WHEN AND IF IT FEELS LIKE IT. THE PAINT STARTED PEELING ON THE TOP OF THE TRUNK IN 1998 OR 99 APPROXIMATELY, I HAVE NEVER HAD THE MONEY TO GET THE PAINT FIXED. I DID HOWEVER GET THE SIDE PAINTED WHEN I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN 1993. THAT PAINT HAS BUBBLED. I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT IT COST ME, I THINK JUST MY INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE AT THAT TIME.

Look up ODI 10068870 at NHTSA ↗

5414.2%
ODI 10013614 · 98,181 mi

AUTOMATIC DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED. *JB

Look up ODI 10013614 at NHTSA ↗

4415.8%
ODI 10068872 · 40,000 mi

THE CABLE FOR THE SEATBELT IS MANGLED, AND THE SEATBELT (SHOULDER) DOES NOT WORK.

Look up ODI 10068872 at NHTSA ↗

7813.5%
ODI 10013852

THE FRONT SHOULDER HARNESS SEATBELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS STUCK MID-TRACK, WHICH CAUSES THE SEATBELT TO REST ACROSS YOUR NECK. DURING ANY AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT, THIS WOULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO BE IMPROPERLY RESTRAINED OR NOT RESTRAINED AT ALL, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY, EVEN DEATH. A CALL (AND TRIP) TO THE DEALER GOT ME NOWHERE, THEY SAY I WILL HAVE TO PAY OVER $500.00 TO HAVE THE SEATBELT AND ITS COMPONENTS REPAIRED AND/OR REPLACED. *NLM

Look up ODI 10013852 at NHTSA ↗

3215.6%
ODI 10070426 · 80,000 mi

TRIES TO ACCELERATE AND PUSH THROUGH STOPLIGHTS WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. ACCELERATES WITH OUT ME AND EVEN TRYING TO BRAKE WON'T STOP. STOP AND PUT IT IN PARK AND IT REVS THE ENGING TO VERY HIGH RPM'S.

Look up ODI 10070426 at NHTSA ↗

30.6%
ODI 527075

FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH AIR BAGS.

Look up ODI 527075 at NHTSA ↗

71.9%
ODI 10031584 · 92,000 mi

VEHICLE'S REAR SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKING IN THE RETRACT POSITION AND WOULDN'T RELEASE. CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO PROPERLY RETRAIN CHILDREN IN CSS. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM NEEDS REPLACEMENT IN ORDER THE CORRECT PROBLEM.

Look up ODI 10031584 at NHTSA ↗

41.2%
ODI 10158690 · 8,000 mi

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.

Look up ODI 10158690 at NHTSA ↗

22.0%
ODI 10152000

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 T…

Look up ODI 10152000 at NHTSA ↗

11.5%
ODI 10437578 · 35,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK AFTER ENGINE STARTUP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE SHIFTER AND SHIFT CONSOLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS TWISTED AND CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO NOT LOCK PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Look up ODI 10437578 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Air Bags:Frontal
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

20.5%
ODI 821974

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON DRY PAVEMENT, WHEN ABS BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED THEY WOULD LOCK UP. VEHICLE THEN SKIDDED OFF ROAD, HIT TREE HEAD-ON. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. PREVIOUS PROBLEM, DRIVER'S REAR WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP. HAS POLICE REPORT* AK.

Look up ODI 821974 at NHTSA ↗

3311.8%
ODI 10408678 · 115,404 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V218000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,404.

Look up ODI 10408678 at NHTSA ↗

488.3%
ODI 516360

PREMATURE INNER TIE ROD FAILURE CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL WITH LITTLE WARNING.

Look up ODI 516360 at NHTSA ↗

125.9%
ODI 10015412 · 106,359 mi

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER AS DESIGNED, THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *JB *SCC

Look up ODI 10015412 at NHTSA ↗

6311.6%
ODI 10009039

THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE.*JB

Look up ODI 10009039 at NHTSA ↗

5915.7%
ODI 10020322

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION YET NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. *NLM

Look up ODI 10020322 at NHTSA ↗

5115.7%
ODI 10008084

AIR BAGS DID NOT RELEASE WHEN IMPACT TO A TREE OCCURRED. ESTIMATED SPEED WAS 45 MILES PER HOUR. DAMAGED DONE TO FRONT BY COLLISION WITH TREE.*JB

Look up ODI 10008084 at NHTSA ↗

1313.3%
ODI 10072948 · 48,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10072948 at NHTSA ↗

710.3%
ODI 10011394

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB

Look up ODI 10011394 at NHTSA ↗

26.1%
ODI 10148736 · 64,002 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AT 20MPH, NEITHER FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED WHILE STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN 2 MILES FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT SIGHT BEFORE THE ENGINE STALLED. ALL THREE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THE POLICE WERE AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT AND INSPECTED THE AIR BAGS. THE POLICE NOTICED THE SMELL OF THE AIR BAGS WERE PRESENT, ALTHOUGH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE. THE INSURANCE ALSO FI…

Look up ODI 10148736 at NHTSA ↗

110.0%
ODI 10089490 · 12,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

Look up ODI 10089490 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
3120.4%
ODI 506532

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DH

Look up ODI 506532 at NHTSA ↗

1615.8%
ODI 10037188 · 39,786 mi

THE CAR STARTS FINE WHEN COLD. AFTER DRIVING TO TOWN SOMETIMES WON'T START RIGHT OFF,SOMETIMES IT DOES. MOSTOF THE TIME I HAVE TO TRY AND TRY.SOME TIMES WHEN IT DOES START IT REVS UP THEN DIES. THEN TRY TO START AGAIN, SOMETIME THE SAME THING SOMETIME WILL START. WHEN STARTED IT RUNS JUST FINE. *AK

Look up ODI 10037188 at NHTSA ↗

4212.8%
ODI 485051

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. *SKD

Look up ODI 485051 at NHTSA ↗

1710.5%
ODI 10001934 · 39,000 mi

THE CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE TANK. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED A HOLE IN THE TANK. THE TANK HAD LEAKED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE V.I.N. WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RELATED RECALL 92V117000. TS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, A SUSPENSION BAR WAS NEEDED, AND WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED TO KEEP THE FUEL AT HALF FULL. SCC

Look up ODI 10001934 at NHTSA ↗

154.0%
ODI 505417

IGNITION SWITCH SHORT.*SD

Look up ODI 505417 at NHTSA ↗

82.9%
ODI 10061083

WHEN THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE USED VEHICLE, SHE WAS INFORMED THE IGNITION AND CLUTCH PLATE HAD BEEN REPLACED AND THE PARTS WERE UNDER WARRANTY. THE IGNITION FAILED AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. *AK THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. *JB

Look up ODI 10061083 at NHTSA ↗

132.3%
ODI 10116045

THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED 5 TIMES ON MY CAR. I'M A SINGLE MOM AND ON LIMITED INCOME AND HAVE HAD TO GO WITHOUT CAR MONTHS AT A TIME. I HAVE TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED FOR AROUND $150 EACH TIME PLUS TOWING. I HAVE NOT KEPT THE OLD PARTS BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW I NEEDED TO. ON THIS SAME CAR THE TIMING BELT HAS GONE OUT TWICE SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT, FOR THREE YEARS NOW. IS THIS DUE TO THE CAR OR IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WHEN REPAIRED?

Look up ODI 10116045 at NHTSA ↗

21.0%
ODI 602704

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TWICE.

Look up ODI 602704 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

20.5%
ODI 717171

VEHICLE STARTED, ENGINE RATTLED UPON ACCELERATION AT ALL SPEEDS AT 2300 MILES. AFTER NUMEROUS FAILED REPAIR ATTEMPTS BY DEALER,I SENT COMPLAINT TO FORDS DSB BOARD.WORKING THROGH ARBITRATION VEHICLE LOOKED AT BY ENGINEER.THEY REPLACED PCM.PROBLEM GOT WORSE,ALONG WITH NEW PROBLEMS,LACK OF POWER,HARD START,TRANSMISSION HESITAING.THEN THEY REPLACED FUEL PUMP,DIDNT HELP, THEN IGNITION SWITCH, DIDNT HELP,THEN MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND AIR FILTER, DIDNT HELP.FINALLY VEHICLE STARTED STALLING WHILE DRIVING, DURING ACC. TOWED BACK TO SHOP, FORD HAD IT SIX…

Look up ODI 717171 at NHTSA ↗

30.9%
ODI 701984

THE CAR WILL INCONSISTENTLY NOT START. I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM SINCE JULY OF 1998 (IT BEGAN MILDLY AND CONTINUED TO GET WORSE), AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THEY HAVE REPLACED ONE PART, BUT AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER THE PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN. NOW I AM WAITING FOR FORD TO COME OUT WITH SOME COMPUTER CONFIGURATION. WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY SOMETIMES IT WILL BE TOTALLY DEAD, SOMETIMES IT WILL BEGIN TO IDLE, AS LONG AS YOU KEEP PUMPING THE ACCELERATOR (RECOMMENDED BY MY DEALER), HOWEVER, THE SECOND YOU REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM THE ACCELER…

Look up ODI 701984 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
95.9%
ODI 503808

ENGINE FIRE. *DSH

Look up ODI 503808 at NHTSA ↗

76.9%
ODI 507466

ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)

Look up ODI 507466 at NHTSA ↗

72.1%
ODI 486952

VEHICLE FIRE. *SKD

Look up ODI 486952 at NHTSA ↗

74.3%
ODI 502785

VEHICLE FIRE.

Look up ODI 502785 at NHTSA ↗

82.1%
ODI 489426

ENGINE FAILED, REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. *TW

Look up ODI 489426 at NHTSA ↗

155.4%
ODI 480085

RIGHT REAR WINDOW CAME OFF DOOR TRACK.

Look up ODI 480085 at NHTSA ↗

223.8%
ODI 509988

SPEEDOMETER CABLE REPLACED DUE TO FLUCTUATION.

Look up ODI 509988 at NHTSA ↗

136.3%
ODI 547864

ENGINE BLEW OUT RESULTING IN VEHICLE SMOKING. NLM

Look up ODI 547864 at NHTSA ↗

213.9%
ODI 10037367

I PURCHASED A NEW 1997 FORD ESCORT IN SEPTEMBER 1996. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WAS LOSING BRAKE FLUID. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE FITTING WAS MISSING SOME THREADS. DEALER FIXED PROBLEM. THIS PAST JANUARY I GOT A LETTER FROM FORD ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG MONITOR/SENSOR PROBLEM AND HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THAT PROBLEM CORRECTED. NOW THE CAR HAS A SLOW COOLANT LEAK. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP…

Look up ODI 10037367 at NHTSA ↗

133.5%
ODI 10157775

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…

Look up ODI 10157775 at NHTSA ↗

309.2%
ODI 10052053 · 41,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER FELT VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT.*AK

Look up ODI 10052053 at NHTSA ↗

77.1%
ODI 10037591 · 60,480 mi

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

Look up ODI 10037591 at NHTSA ↗

22.9%
ODI 8008054

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH THE VEHICLES ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUEMR STATES THAT THE POWER STEERING, AND BRAKES WERE REALLY HARD TO OPERATE. NLM

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26.1%
ODI 769479

STALLS AT RED LIGHTS WON'T IDLE VIBRATION AT IDLE SHAKES THE WHOLE CAR. DT

Look up ODI 769479 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
42.6%
ODI 10024430

MHTSA#92-V-117-000:FATIGUE CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN TUBE AND THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER,THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED BECAUSE YEAR OF MANUFACTURING, 1989. *AK

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33.0%
ODI 505392

FUEL TANK LEAK. *SD

Look up ODI 505392 at NHTSA ↗

206.1%
ODI 480107

FUEL TANK BODY ASSEMBLY REPLACED.

Look up ODI 480107 at NHTSA ↗

2012.3%
ODI 10001934 · 39,000 mi

THE CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE TANK. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED A HOLE IN THE TANK. THE TANK HAD LEAKED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE V.I.N. WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RELATED RECALL 92V117000. TS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, A SUSPENSION BAR WAS NEEDED, AND WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED TO KEEP THE FUEL AT HALF FULL. SCC

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277.1%
ODI 10006958 · 35,000 mi

FUEL TANK LEAKING AT HOSE FITTING. CRACK IN PLASTIC TANK. NO REPLACEMENT AVAILABLE DUE TO MANY FAILURES. BOUGHT CAR NEW AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK. SEAT BELTS FAIL TO RETRACT IN REAR SEAT COMPARTMENT. DEALER FIXED TWICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. *MR *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*768008

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10.4%
ODI 809713

WHILE DRIVING SMELLED FUEL AND THE GAS WAS LEAKING FROM BEHIND METAL PLATE FROM THE GAS TANK. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND IT'S STILL IS THERE. *AK

Look up ODI 809713 at NHTSA ↗

9817.0%
ODI 10006816

PLASTIC FUEL TANK STARTED LEAKING CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. I CONTACTED TWO LOCAL FORD DEALERS AND BOTH TOLD ME THAT THE PLASTIC FUEL TANKS IN FORD ESCORTS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS AND WERE SUBJECT TO EMERGENCY MAJOR RECALLS. AFTER RESEARCH ON RECALLS 97V144 AND 97V145, BOTH DEALERSHIPS TELL ME THAT FOR SOME REASON MY VIN NUMBER IS EXCLUDED BUT BOTH DEALERSHIPS FEEL IT IS A MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN DEFECT AND POSES A "SEVERE" SAFETY HAZARD TO LIFE. I CONTACTED FORD CONSUMER SERVICE ND THEY BASICALLY SHINED ME ON. I FEEL FORD SHOULD REPLACE THE FUEL TANK…

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21.0%
ODI 603849

FUEL GAUGE FAILED.

Look up ODI 603849 at NHTSA ↗

61.1%
ODI 713658

SMELLED GAS FUMES IN CAR. BROUGHT TO DEALER. FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING DUE TO COMING APART AT THE SEAMS. TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $400.

Look up ODI 713658 at NHTSA ↗

41.1%
ODI 608141

FUEL GAUGE FAILED.

Look up ODI 608141 at NHTSA ↗

10.3%
ODI 876920

UNDER CARRIAGE IS SEPARATING. SPOT WELDS ARE BREAKING. FUEL TANK STRAPS ARE NOT SECURED FOR TANK, WHICH CAUSES IT TO MOVE AROUND. STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF VEHICLE IS COMPROMISED BECAUSE OF SPOT WELDS. WINDSHIELD TILTS TOWARDS DRIVER. PASSENGER'S DOOR IN REAR OF THE STATION WAGON WOULD PIVOT AND WAS GETTING WORSE. *AK

Look up ODI 876920 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
42.6%
ODI 965643

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HESITATES IN PASSING GEAR. TT

Look up ODI 965643 at NHTSA ↗

11.0%
ODI 10313471 · 120,000 mi

1990 FORD ESCORT WITH 1.9 L ENGINE, THROTTLE-BODY FUEL INJ, AND MAN 5-SPEED TRANSM. APPROX 8 HWY MILES FROM HOME, PASSING THRU SMALL TOWN WITH 25-MPH LIMIT, SIGNAL LIGHT, AND RR CROSSING, THE FORD'S ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED TO INCREDIBLY HIGH RPM'S. FRIGHTENED, I IMMEDIATELY PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH. NO FLOOR MAT OR STUCK ACCELERATOR/MECHANICAL PROBLEMS EXISTED. APPARENTLY THIS WAS A COMPUTER CAUSE. WITHIN SECONDS, PERHAPS 4 TO 8 SECONDS, I WAS PREPARED TO TURN OFF THE KEY IGNITION TO THE VEHICLE. I TRIED PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR ONCE (IN FORMER CARB…

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164.9%
ODI 503873

VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS ON ITS OWN.

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53.1%
ODI 10105007 · 76,365 mi

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION OR WHILE IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE. *JB

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164.2%
ODI 10133008 · 48,000 mi

DT: PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AT A USED LOT. AFTER 90 DAYS THE TRANSMISSION PUMP WENT OUT. BOUGHT IT WITH 48,000 MILES. WENT TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANIC SHOPS, AND THEY SAID IT HAD TOO MUCH WEAR FOR THAT AMOUNT OF MILEAGE. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAME OFF, THE SHOCKS WERE BAD, THE TIRES WERE AL DEFECTIVE, AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE DEALER FROM WHO THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WAS OUT BUSINESS. *AK

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155.4%
ODI 10107741 · 45,000 mi

FATAL DEATH DUE TO POSIBLE TRANSMISSION GOING INTO REVERSE FROM PARK WHILE VEHICLE IN IDLE. *JB

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183.1%
ODI 10004496 · 21,525 mi

THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO PRESS THE BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS *NLM

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52.4%
ODI 518410

SODA SPILLED ON RED GEAR SHIFT RELEASE BUTTON, PREVENTING GEARS FROM ENGAGING WHEN BUTTON IS DEPRESSED.

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183.3%
ODI 10014273 · 80,000 mi

I HAVE A 1997 FORD ESCORT. AT APPROXIMATELY. 37,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRED SERVICE. TOOK CAR TO BOARD FORD IN WHITTIER, CA. TWO DAYS AFTER SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. BOARD FORD ALLOWED AN ESP FOR POWER TRAIN AND REPLACED TRANSMISSION. AT TIME OF REPLACEMENT, BOARD FORD INDICATED THE NEW POWER TRAIN WAS WARRANTED FOR 75,000 MILES. AT APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES ON THE NEW POWER TRAIN, IT LITERALLY EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT (COMPLETELY CRACKED THE CORE). CALLED BOARD FORD AND FORD MOTOR AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE CAR HA…

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246.4%
ODI 10012524

THE VEHICLES GEAR SHIFT LOCKED AND COULDN'T BE MOVED FROM PARK TO DRIVE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *NLM

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288.6%
ODI 10002893 · 81,000 mi

WITH NO WARNING OR EARLY SIGNS, TRANSMISSION BURNED UP. DROVE FINE THE NIGHT BEFORE, WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING AND HAD NOT TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BLACK. HAD TO GET ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REBUILT.

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1212.2%
ODI 10020516 · 62,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *JB

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913.2%
ODI 10021449 · 30,000 mi

FAILURE OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER SAFETY INTERLOCK TO FUNCTION AS INTENDED. THE SHIFTER COULD BE MOVED OUT OF 'PARK' AT ANY TIME. CONDITION CAUSED BY PLAY ON THE SELECTOR SHAFT AND DRIED LUBRICATION. *JB

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39.1%
ODI 10006928

THE BUMPER SEPARATED, AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*JB

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110.0%
ODI 10244249 · 30,724 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT WOULD NOT MOVE IN REVERSE OR FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE TRANSMISSION RATTLES AND SHAKES, AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FORD DEALER TESTED AND REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION IN 2007, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE TRANSMISSION HAS A 80,000 MILE WARRANTY, BUT THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO FOUR DIFFERENT FORD DEALE…

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Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
42.6%
ODI 740207

RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE INSURANCE WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. I REMOVED LOWER CRANKSHAFT PULLY AND RETURNED IT TO DEALER. THEY FINALLY REPAIRED PROBLEM AFTER MUCH INCONVIENCE TO ME. *AK

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22.0%
ODI 512632

PISTON ROD IS DETERIORATING, ENGINE CAN NOT FUNCTION SHOULD THE PISTON ROD MALFUNCTION.

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51.5%
ODI 10319837 · 34,000 mi

THE ACCELERATOR STUCK TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE IN FULL THROTTLE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. FORTUNATELY IT WAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND OUT OF GEAR WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. I HAD STOMPED ON THE GAS PEDAL BY MISTAKE. I SEARCHED THE FLOOR AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR ANYTHING THAT MAY HAVE PREVENTED THE ACCELERATOR FROM DISENGAGING AND FOUND NO APPARENT REASON FOR THE PHENOMENON. *TR

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31.9%
ODI 555362

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR MANY PROBLEMS, DEALER FOUND A LEAK IN THE HEAD GASKET CAUSING THE RADIATOR TO NOT CYLCLE COOLANT CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT, STALL, AND SHUT DOWN, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. *SLC

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143.7%
ODI 10054041 · 180,000 mi

VEHICLE'S RPMS STAY HIGH AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED. *MR THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE PEDAL WASN'T STICKY NOR WAS THE THROTTLE CABLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RARELY ILLUMINATED. THIS PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING DURING COLD WEATHER (BELOW 0 DEGREES). THE RPMS REVVED HIGH AND CONTINUED TO RISE WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE "SOLVED" THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW MINUTES OR UNTIL THE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THE AIR INTAKE VALVE WAS CLEANED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. *PH *NM

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93.2%
ODI 10116483 · 142,708 mi

ENGINE FAILURE. THE HEAD ON THE 1.9 LITRE ENGINES HAVE A BUILT IN FLAW. THE INTAKE VALVE ON NUMBER 4 CYLINDER FAILS. THE VALVE SEAT BREAKS APART CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE PISTON AND ALSO THE HEAD. 4 VEHICLES FOUND TO HAVE THIS DEFECT WHILE WE WERE LOOKING FOR A USED REPLACEMENT HEAD.*AK

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152.6%
ODI 503292

TACHOMETER FLUCTUATES. *SD

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115.4%
ODI 557153

THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED DUE TO BROKEN VALVE SEATS INSIDE THE CYLINDER WHICH DAMAGED THE PISTONS, THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THIS EXPENSE DUE TO THE LOW MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE AND BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS VERY WELL MAINTENANCED. *SLC

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285.2%
ODI 10008733 · 80,000 mi

A FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED.*JB

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266.9%
ODI 10004735

SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TROUBLE DATED BACK TO THE RECALL, PRIOR TO THE RECALL THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO AN OVER SENSITIVE SENSOR OR AIR BEING IN THE GAS TANK. THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE A BOGUS CODE. *JB NAR 1/21/2003

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226.8%
ODI 10008247

AT APPROX. 30000 MILES THE CAR HAD THE FIRST INCIDENT OF NOT STARTING (AUG. 2001). TOOK IT TO AUTO SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS MIGHT BE A ONE-TIME INCIDENT. ABOUT 1/2 YEAR LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. HAD IT TOWED TO AUTO SHOP, THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME TO CALL THEM IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN LATE 2002 AND I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER AUTO SHOP. THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE REASON EITHER - EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE AND AFTER A WHILE IT STARTED AGAIN AND WAS RUNNING NORMALLY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN LATE JANUARY 2003 AND …

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77.1%
ODI 10033582

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

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34.4%
ODI 10047337 · 13,860 mi

IN AUG. 2003, I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD ESCORT, ONLY A SHORT TIME AFTER HAVING IT (2 WEEKS) VEHICLE ENGINE DIED WHILE AT STOP LIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY, IT IS NOW NOVEMBER, AND MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MY CAR MORE THAN I HAVE SINCE PURCHASE IN AUGUST. CONTINUALLY TELL ME "THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT." THEY INSTALLED A DEVICE TO MONITOR THE TIMES WHEN IT DIES, THEY SERVE PEOPLE HAVE DRIVEN IT AND IT HAS DIED ON THEM, THEY CONTINUE TO SAY THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. ALSO, I HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET…

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412.1%
ODI 10003179 · 1 mi

SHAKING IN STEERING WHEEL. MOST NOTICABLE DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. WAS MENTIONED TO SALESPERSON AT TIME OF TEST DRIVE. HE STATED HE WOULD HAVE THE TIRES BALANCED AND AN ALIGNMENT DONE. AT NO TIME PRIOR TO PURCHASE DID ANYONE STATE IT WAS A BUILT IN DEFECT. WHEN WE MET THE SERVICE PEOPLE THEY WERE TOLD THE TYPE OF VEHICLE BEING PURCHASED AND THE FACT WE WOULD BE BRINGING IT IN FOR THE SHAKING. THIS WAS INTENTIONALLY DISHONEST. WE ATTEMPTED TO TRADE IN ON ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE SAME DEALERSHIP OFFERED US $7500. THIS IS AFTER 3 MONTH…

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220.0%
ODI 10173398 · 23,600 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE IDLE WAS ROUGH. THERE WAS ALSO A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE VIBRATION WAS DUE TO THE WAY THE ENGINE MOUNTS AND BRACKETS WERE INSTALLED, AND THAT SOME VIBRATION WAS INHERENT TO THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT LEAKIN…

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Vehicle Speed Control
42.6%
ODI 501924

THROTTLE BODY CORRODED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HESITATE. *SD

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22.0%
ODI 808175

WHEN SHIFTING INTO THE NEXT GEAR THE RPM ACCELERATED, TOOK TO DEALER AND REPLACED THROTTLE BODY . *AK

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134.0%
ODI 10319837 · 34,000 mi

THE ACCELERATOR STUCK TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE IN FULL THROTTLE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. FORTUNATELY IT WAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND OUT OF GEAR WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. I HAD STOMPED ON THE GAS PEDAL BY MISTAKE. I SEARCHED THE FLOOR AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR ANYTHING THAT MAY HAVE PREVENTED THE ACCELERATOR FROM DISENGAGING AND FOUND NO APPARENT REASON FOR THE PHENOMENON. *TR

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106.2%
ODI 480872

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES UPON ENGAGING CLUTCH. *AW

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4211.1%
ODI 10054041 · 180,000 mi

VEHICLE'S RPMS STAY HIGH AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED. *MR THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE PEDAL WASN'T STICKY NOR WAS THE THROTTLE CABLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RARELY ILLUMINATED. THIS PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING DURING COLD WEATHER (BELOW 0 DEGREES). THE RPMS REVVED HIGH AND CONTINUED TO RISE WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE "SOLVED" THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW MINUTES OR UNTIL THE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THE AIR INTAKE VALVE WAS CLEANED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. *PH *NM

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51.8%
ODI 480085

RIGHT REAR WINDOW CAME OFF DOOR TRACK.

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152.6%
ODI 10015411

THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT READ THE CORRECT SPEED. *JB

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31.5%
ODI 552671

POSSIBLE FUEL LINE FAILURE CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK. YH

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224.1%
ODI 10097832 · 45,000 mi

THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A BRICK WALL. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. *AK

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102.7%
ODI 10142692 · 3,000 mi

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 T…

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61.8%
ODI 10080805

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 F…

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44.1%
ODI 10048159 · 48,000 mi

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 B…

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57.4%
ODI 10015693 · 20,238 mi

THERE WAS A FAST IDLE, VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL, BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED ALONG WITH THE FAST IDLE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD RUN FINE. AFTER FIVE ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, AND AFTER BEING TOLD REPEATEDLY THE VEHICLE RAN NORMALLY, THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE A FULL REFUND. THE PCV WAS REPLACED, AND THE VEHICLE HAD RUN PERFECT UNTIL THE FAST IDLE HAD RETURNED ALONG WITH THE VIBRATIONS WHICH IRRITATED THE CONSUMER WHICH CAUSED HEADACHES AFTER 20 MILES OF DRIVING. THE VALVE ASSEMBLY/CR…

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13.0%
ODI 10958928 · 144,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND FOUR OCCUPANTS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE INJURED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

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220.0%
ODI 10134201 · 12,000 mi

DT: THE CALLER SAYS VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN IT IS IN IDLE. ALSO WHEN VEHICLE IS AT A STOP LIGHT OR SIGNS THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. THIS HAPPENED FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS AND IT BECAME WORSE. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO FIX IT. THE MANUFACTURER SAID IT WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. *AK

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Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Seat BeltsToo few reports for a range80,000 mi3 (sparse)
ODI 10070426 · 80,000 mi

TRIES TO ACCELERATE AND PUSH THROUGH STOPLIGHTS WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. ACCELERATES WITH OUT ME AND EVEN TRYING TO BRAKE WON'T STOP. STOP AND PUT IT IN PARK AND IT REVS THE ENGING TO VERY HIGH RPM'S.

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ODI 10459733 · 30,000 mi

I AM ADDING ANOTHER COMPLAINT TO THE VAST LIST OF PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING MY 1996 FORD ESCORT AND THE FAILURE OF MY PASSIVE RESTRAINT SHOULDER BELT. IT HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS FOR PROBABLY THE LAST 8-10 YEARS. IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STOP MID-TRACK AND "BOUNCING" THE DOOR AGAINST THE HINGE WOULD GET IT TO MOVE. TWO WEEKS AGO, IT STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACK. I, TOO, COULD HEAR THE MOTOR TRYING TO MAKE IT GO. I LEFT IT ALONE AND ABOUT 4 DAYS LATER, IT RESUMED OPERATING. NOW A WEEK LATER, IT HAS FROZEN AGAIN, A LITTLE MORE F…

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ODI 10678517 · 140,000 mi

THE DRIVER SIDE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT HAS CEASED FUNCTIONING AND IS NOW STUCK MIDWAY ALONG THE TOP PART OF THE SEAT BELT TRACK. THIS BEING THE CASE THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT PROTECT THE DRIVER IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP. IN THIS POSITION IT IS LIKELY THAT IN A SUDDEN STOP THE DRIVER'S HEAD WOULD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND A MORE SEVERE THAN NORMAL WHIPLASH IN THE NECK WOULD OCCUR. I HAVE NOTED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SEAT BELT ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE ONLINE. I CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE AND THERE IS NO RECALL NOTICE OR CUSTOMER S…

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Seat Belts:Front:Retractor72,000–103,500 mi86,000 mi7
ODI 10032197 · 63,000 mi

ON 7/17/2003 THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT WAS PULLED OUT FOR USE AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPAIRED THE RETRACTOR. CURRENTLY, PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT HAS DONE THE SAME THING. *AK *TS *NLM

Look up ODI 10032197 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10052625 · 81,000 mi

FAILED DRIVER SIDE RESTRAINT SYSTEM. *AK

Look up ODI 10052625 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10054600 · 128,000 mi

MY SON OWNS A 1996 FORD ESCORT WHICH HAS A MOTORIZED SHOULDER HARNESS ASSEMBLY. THE SHOULDER HARNESS JAMMED AND HE COULD NO LONGER USE THAT PART, ALTHOUGH THE SEAT BELT WORKED. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID PARTS & LABOR TO REPLACE THE TRACK & MOTOR WERE OVER $500! THIS IS PROBABLY HALF OF WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH. HE WAS THEN STOPPED FOR A SEAT BELT VIOLATION AND TOLD BY THE WISCONSIN STATE TROOPER IT HAD TO BE FIXED. AFTER SEVERAL CALLS TO SALVAGE YARDS I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO FIND A USED ONE AT AT REASONABLE PRICE. …

Look up ODI 10054600 at NHTSA ↗

Air Bags:FrontalToo few reports for a range106,359 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10015412 · 106,359 mi

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER AS DESIGNED, THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *JB *SCC

Look up ODI 10015412 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 217 reports

2002: 17 complaints · 2003: 5 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
200291517
2003135
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
20023030
20031000

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentSeat BeltsSeat Belts:Front:RetractorEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:GasolineAir Bags:FrontalPower TrainEngine And Engine Cooling:EngineSeat Belts:Front:AnchorageAir Bags
Seat Belts—0000000
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor0—00
1
ODI 747121

SPEEDOMETER JUMPS ERRATICALLY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH. NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY ALTHOUGH BROCHURE LEADS YOU TO BELIEVE SO. DEALERSHIP KNEW IT WAS THE SPEEDOMETER ITSELF AND NOT A DRY CABLE BECAUSE OF HISTORY OF SAME PROBLEMS. 2ND PROBLEM; AT APPOX 80,000 MILES THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. I RECOGNIZE THAT THINGS DO BREAK, BUT WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT WOULDN'T RETRACT JUST A FEW MONTHS LATER, I CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT. *AK

Look up ODI 747121 at NHTSA ↗

000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline00—0
1
ODI 847853

SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING AN INCORRECT READING WHICH IS HIGHER THAN IT SHOULD BE. DEALER REPLACE SPEEDOMETER 3 TIMES. ALSO ENGINE PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Look up ODI 847853 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 868747

CONSUMER HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON & THE VEHICLE WON'T PASS INSPECTION IF THE DEALER CAN'T FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. THERE WERE GAS SMELLS COMING FROM HATCHBACK. HOWEVER, DEALER COULDN'T DETERMINE WERE IT WAS COMING FROM. *AK AS OF THIS DATE 9-13-00 ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON, CONSUMER REPLACED OXYGEN SENSOR, TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP. KINK WAS FOUND IN GAS LINE CAUSED SMELL COMING FROM FRONT OF THE CAR. BRACKET OFF OF MOTOR MOUNT. *YH

Look up ODI 868747 at NHTSA ↗

00
Air Bags:Frontal000—000
1
ODI 808935

DRIVER'S AIR BAG DIDN'T OPEN ON TIME DURING A COLLISION, RESULTING IN INJURIES. DUP OF 516816, ADDED ON 28-FEB-98. *AK

Look up ODI 808935 at NHTSA ↗

Power Train0
1
ODI 747121

SPEEDOMETER JUMPS ERRATICALLY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH. NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY ALTHOUGH BROCHURE LEADS YOU TO BELIEVE SO. DEALERSHIP KNEW IT WAS THE SPEEDOMETER ITSELF AND NOT A DRY CABLE BECAUSE OF HISTORY OF SAME PROBLEMS. 2ND PROBLEM; AT APPOX 80,000 MILES THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. I RECOGNIZE THAT THINGS DO BREAK, BUT WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT WOULDN'T RETRACT JUST A FEW MONTHS LATER, I CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT. *AK

Look up ODI 747121 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 847853

SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING AN INCORRECT READING WHICH IS HIGHER THAN IT SHOULD BE. DEALER REPLACE SPEEDOMETER 3 TIMES. ALSO ENGINE PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Look up ODI 847853 at NHTSA ↗

0—000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine00
1
ODI 868747

CONSUMER HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON & THE VEHICLE WON'T PASS INSPECTION IF THE DEALER CAN'T FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. THERE WERE GAS SMELLS COMING FROM HATCHBACK. HOWEVER, DEALER COULDN'T DETERMINE WERE IT WAS COMING FROM. *AK AS OF THIS DATE 9-13-00 ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON, CONSUMER REPLACED OXYGEN SENSOR, TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP. KINK WAS FOUND IN GAS LINE CAUSED SMELL COMING FROM FRONT OF THE CAR. BRACKET OFF OF MOTOR MOUNT. *YH

Look up ODI 868747 at NHTSA ↗

00—00
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage000000—
2
ODI 514311

SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD CONSUMER IN ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURIES TO NECK.

Look up ODI 514311 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 515150

NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS DURING VEHICLE COLLISION, DRIVER'S SEAT BELT LOCK FAILED ALSO, INJURIES DUE TO FAILURES.

Look up ODI 515150 at NHTSA ↗

Air Bags000
1
ODI 808935

DRIVER'S AIR BAG DIDN'T OPEN ON TIME DURING A COLLISION, RESULTING IN INJURIES. DUP OF 516816, ADDED ON 28-FEB-98. *AK

Look up ODI 808935 at NHTSA ↗

00
2
ODI 514311

SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD CONSUMER IN ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURIES TO NECK.

Look up ODI 514311 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 515150

NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS DURING VEHICLE COLLISION, DRIVER'S SEAT BELT LOCK FAILED ALSO, INJURIES DUE TO FAILURES.

Look up ODI 515150 at NHTSA ↗

—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

3 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

9 mentions · 4.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 38,117 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10010698 · 55,500 mi

CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. HAD IT LOOKED AT BY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SPEEDOMETER CABLE. THE SOUND IS GETTING LOUDER AND CAN BE VERY ANNOYING. *JB WAS SHOCKED AND SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT LEFT REAR COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CODE READS 1443. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM AND SAID IT MIGHT HAVE A BEEN LOOSE GAS CAP. HE RESET THE LIGHT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AFTER DRIVING 15 MILES, TOOK IT BACK TO SERVICE…

Look up ODI 10010698 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10231921 · 20,734 mi

I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE CORRECT SECTION TO FILE THIS IN. I AM BEING UNSUCCESSFUL IN A CONTINUED EFFORT TO CORRECT A MALFUNCTION IN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SENSOR. I HAVE DONE ALL I KNOW TO CORRECT THIS MATTER INCLUDING CHANGING THE LIGHT BULB WITH NO SUCCESS. THIS MALFUNCTION IS CONTINUING TO CAUSE ME NOT TO PASS A SIMPLE SMOG TEST. IS THERE ANY RECORD OF THERE BEING A MANUFACTURE DEFECT TO THIS PART. *TR

Look up ODI 10231921 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 542348

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, ALSO CHIRPING NOISE HEARD, CONSUMER FEELS NOISE MAY BE A WARNING SIGNAL ABOUT AIRBAG PROBLEM. QCAW

Look up ODI 542348 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Stalling or loss of power

8 mentions · 3.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 151,600 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10093334

MY 1996 FORD ESCORT'S DRIVER SIDE SHOULDER BELT WON'T MOVE TO THE LOCKED POSITION ON THE B-PILLAR. IT IS STUCK TOWARD THE REAR OF THE TRACK JUST PAST THE UPPER BEND IN THE TRACK. *AK I DISCONNECTED THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS FOLLOWING THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SHOULDER BELT WOULD NOT MOVE MANUALLY WHEN I USED THE EMERGENCY HANDLE TURNING IT CLOCKWISE. EVERYTHING I TRIED TO MOVE THIS INTO POSITION HAS NOT WORKED. I WENT TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID IT ISN'T A RECALL ITEM BUT THE PERSON IN THE PARTS DEPARTMENT SAID THE SHOULD HARNESS IS…

Look up ODI 10093334 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10348239 · 151,600 mi

MY WIFE & I HAVE A 1996 FORD ESCORT WAGON THAT WE PURCHASED USED IN 2008. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE IT HAD A SET OF 4 BRIDGESTONE INSIGNIA SL TIRES THAT STILL HAD REASONABLE TREAD DEPTH REMAINING, SO WE DECIDED TO CONTINUE TO USE THE TIRES UNTIL THE TREAD HAD WORN DOWN MORE AND NEEDED REPLACING. ON FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2010, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN PART OF THE REAR PASSENGER-SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE AND SHOT AGAINST THE SHEET METAL ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELL. IT RIPPED A LARGE HOLE IN T…

Look up ODI 10348239 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 735732

# 4 PISTON DISENTIGRATED RUINING ENGINE BLOCK. STOPED FOR RED LIGHT AND CAR ACTED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO STALL. DROVE TO BANK PARKING LOT 1 BLOCK AWAY AND TURNED CAR OF. TRIED TO RESTART CAR AND MADE ENGINE NOISE. TURNED CAR OFF CALLED WESTERN SLOPE FORD TO SPEAK WITH SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO SEE IF I COULD GET IT TOWED INTO GARAGE. NO RETURN CALL FROM THEM. HAD ANOTHER SHOP TOW AND INSPECT. *AK

Look up ODI 735732 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Brake response concerns

4 mentions · 2.0% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 808088

UPON APPLYING FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, BRAKES FADE AWAY, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER ALSO STATES AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER NOTICED FILLING IN THE PEDAL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK

Look up ODI 808088 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 817410

BRAKES: INTERMITTENT BRAKE LOSS, BRAKES FAILED WHEN DRIVING AT 15MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP, AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES. CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES. LAST TIME A MASTER CYLINDER WAS PUT IN ,BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. *AK

Look up ODI 817410 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 842751

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON, INDICATING BRAKE FAILURE AND LEAKING FUEL LINE. LIGHT STILL ON AFTER BRAKE CYLINDER REPAIR. *AK

Look up ODI 842751 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b