Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

1997 Ford ESCORT: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

543 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

78,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: . 100 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 63 of 543 complaints (11.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior6011.0%
Electrical and battery issues5710.5%
Steering behavior285.2%
Transmission and shifting254.6%
Engine operation254.6%
Fuel system concerns112.0%

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.

Air Bags:Frontal
63
Air Bags
55
Electrical System
32
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
30
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
28
Electrical System:Horn
24
Suspension:Rear:Springs
23
Vehicle Speed Control
22
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags:Frontal63
Air Bags55
Electrical System32
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module30
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine28
Electrical System:Horn24
Suspension:Rear:Springs23
Vehicle Speed Control22

Air Bags:Frontal: 63; Air Bags: 55; Electrical System: 32; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 30; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 28; Electrical System:Horn: 24; Suspension:Rear:Springs: 23; Vehicle Speed Control: 22

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
4
25,000 to 49,999
18
50,000 to 74,999
24
75,000 to 99,999
26
100,000 to 149,999
22
150,000 and above
6
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0004
25,000 to 49,99918
50,000 to 74,99924
75,000 to 99,99926
100,000 to 149,99922
150,000 and above6

Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 18; 50,000 to 74,999: 24; 75,000 to 99,999: 26; 100,000 to 149,999: 22; 150,000 and above: 6

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (26). 443 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
3
1997
30
1998
41
1999
81
2000
61
2001
56
2002
76
2003
102
2004
44
2005
20
2006
3
2007
5
2008
6
2009
2
2010
3
2012
2
2013
2
2014
2
2016
2
2019
1
2023
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19963
199730
199841
199981
200061
200156
200276
2003102
200444
200520
20063
20075
20086
20092
20103
20122
20132
20142
20162
20191
20231

1996: 3; 1997: 30; 1998: 41; 1999: 81; 2000: 61; 2001: 56; 2002: 76; 2003: 102; 2004: 44; 2005: 20; 2006: 3; 2007: 5; 2008: 6; 2009: 2; 2010: 3; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2016: 2; 2019: 1; 2023: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 60 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 57 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 28 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 10001981 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT IMPACT. THE DEALER COMPLETED THE REPAIRS, BASED ON WATER GETTING INTO THE AIR BAG MODULE, THEN INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. NHTSA# 02V323000 SCC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001981 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10002919 · 2003-01-18 (January 18, 2003)

PREMATURE FAILURE OF BOTH REAR SPRINGS, 1997 FORD ESCORT LX, VIN [XXX], RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF SPRING ASSY'S AT CUSTOMER COST FOR ALL PARTS, LABOR AND ASSOCIATED PARTS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 71,919 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002919 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10003060 · 2003-01-20 (January 20, 2003)

THE HEATER CORE SPRUNG A LEAK. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITHIN 15 MONTHS. I CAUGHT THE PROBLEM BEFORE ANY DAMAGE OCCURED. THE FIRST TIME THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE AIR BAG AND PCM MODULES WERE DAMAGED BY THE HEATER CORE LEAK. THERE ALSO WAS A FIRE FROM THE PCM AND AIR BAG MODULE. THIS DAMAGE COST $1500. THE DEALER WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 3 MONTHS. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY CARS THAT ARE EXPIERENCING THIS PROBLEM.

Owner-reported narrative. 152,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003060 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10003079 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)

REAR SPRING BROKE ON A 1997 FORD ESCORT. THIS IS THE 5TH ESCORT OUR AGENCY OWNS THAT HAS HAD BROKEN REAR SPRINGS.

Owner-reported narrative. 54,636 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003079 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10006074 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD APPEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006074 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10006098 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON. DEALER NOTIFIED.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006098 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10007499 · 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)

THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS BROKE, WHICH CAUSED UNEVEN WEAR ON THE REAR TIRES. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007499 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10007992 · 2003-02-22 (February 22, 2003)

I TOOK MY CAR INTO MY DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE STATE INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS VERY SHOCKED SINCE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN USED TO HAUL ANYTHING MORE THAN GROCERIES. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY CHECK FOR IT. I REPORTED THIS TO FORD MOTORS AND WAS FOR THE MOST PART TOLD "SORRY BUT NOT OUR PROBLEM". IT APPEARS FROM THE VARIOUS DEALERS AND FORD MOTORS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT THEY PLAN TO DO NOTHING ABOUT UNLESS FORCED TO BY …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007992 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

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

02V323000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

Reported: 2002-12-09 (December 9, 2002)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR (IABM) CAN BE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER OR OTHER LIQUIDS AND COULD EXPERIENCE INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORTING.

Consequence: THIS MAY, IN TURN, CAUSE THE AIR BAG READINESS LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND IN VERY RARE OCCURRENCES, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, MELTED WIRING, OR FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE SHIELD OVER THE IABM AND APPLY NYOGEL GREASE TO THE CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 11, 2003. 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 1-866-436-7332.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

543 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

18.4%Usable mileage100 / 543 records
79.2%Valid incident date430 / 543 records
100.0%Valid filing date543 / 543 records
78.8%Ordered incident and filing dates428 / 543 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

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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

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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.

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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
Air Bags:Frontal79,239–113,250 mi92,220 mi8
ODI 10010453 · 120,000 mi

I WAS BURNED ON MY RIGHT HAND (3 FINGERS AND THUMB) DUE TO BOTH AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. NO ONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *JB

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ODI 10055703 · 100,000 mi

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER SUSTAINED FACIAL INJURIES. ONE WEEK LATER CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER.*AK

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ODI 10086117 · 84,440 mi

AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER RECALL REPAIRS BY FORD (NOTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION OF NOTICE AND REPAIR ARE IN OUR POSSESSION) RESULTING IN BURNS TO PASSENGER ON FOREARMS (DUE TO INFLATION OF BAG), BROKEN WINDSHIELD AND DASH IS MESSED UP. NO ACCIDENT OCURRED OR OBJECT HIT. CAR WAS MOVING AT 15 MPH (MAX) AT DEPLOYMENT. FORD DECLARES "NO" RESPONSIBILITY DUE TO EXCESS MILEAGE (84,440). I DIDN'T REALIZE THERE IS A "MILEAGE LIMITATION" ON SAFETY!*AK

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Air Bags66,250–116,661 mi78,000 mi10
ODI 10011192 · 70,000 mi

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*JB

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ODI 10017410 · 80,000 mi

CONSUMER WAS PROCEEDING THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT WHEN ANOTHER CAR TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MPH HIT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. THE CONSUMERS CAR WENT INTO A SPIN. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *NLM

Look up ODI 10017410 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10017982 · 25,000 mi

THE AIR BAG BURNED THE VEHICLES DASH. THIS OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE CONSUMER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTIFICATION (RECALL NUMBER 02V-323000). *NLM

Look up ODI 10017982 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System80,250–93,125 mi88,750 mi6
ODI 10010909 · 87,000 mi

THE PLASTIC LIGHT BULB SOCKET FOR MY CENTER HIGH MOUNT STOP LAMP (CHMSL) HAS REPEATEDLY MELTED CAUSING THE CHMSL TO NOT WORK. I HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO (2) SOCKETS AND THEY HAVE BOTH FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER. *JB

Look up ODI 10010909 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10015432 · 78,000 mi

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB

Look up ODI 10015432 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10126469 · 60,000 mi

DT: THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND BURNED UP ALL OF THE WIRING. *AK WHEN THE CONSUMERS WIFE STARTED THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. *JB

Look up ODI 10126469 at NHTSA ↗

Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module72,179–147,606 mi103,500 mi8
ODI 10008868 · 63,000 mi

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG MODULE, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE.*JB

Look up ODI 10008868 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10022776 · 74,239 mi

CONSUMER HAD RECALL 02V323000 REMEDIED IN 03/03. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE CONSUMER WAS VERY CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY. *AK THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON FOR TWO DAYS. THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS IT HAD COME BACK ON. *SCC THE POWER WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL DOWN.*JB

Look up ODI 10022776 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10051608 · 150,000 mi

PRIOR TO HAVING RECALL# 02V323000 PERFORMED FOR THE AIR BAG MONITOR, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE FLAMES STARTED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. THE FIRE BURNED THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD AND IT'S COMPONENTS. *JB

Look up ODI 10051608 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine40,000–80,000 mi44,532 mi5
ODI 10008733 · 80,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10008733 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10026248 · 95,000 mi

ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS CAUSED BY AN OIL SENSOR FAILURE DUE TO A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN WHICH RUSTED THE BELTS PER MECHANIC.*AK

Look up ODI 10026248 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10027276 · 40,000 mi

THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATED A RUBBER PIECE WAS LOOSE INSIDE THE ENGINE. *AK THE DAMP ASSEMBLY SEPARATED AND MOVED FORWARD INTO THE FENDER WALL THROUGH THE SERPENTINE BELT. *SCC *JB

Look up ODI 10027276 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System:Horn32,000–73,500 mi60,000 mi5
ODI 10031169 · 60,000 mi

HORN MALFUNCTIOED, ,DOES NOT STOP,HAD TO PULL FUSE OUT. *AK

Look up ODI 10031169 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10033304 · 32,000 mi

HORN ACTIVATED ON ITS OWN AND STUCK ON. EVENTUALLY BOTH HORNS FAILED. PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE HORN PAD SWITCH WHICH IS PART OF THE DRIVER AIR BAG. REPLACING THE HORNS AND AIR BAG COSTS IN EXCESS OF $800.*AK

Look up ODI 10033304 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10034420 · 75,000 mi

HORN SOUNDS INTERMITTENTLY ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ANY ONE TOUCHING THE MECHANISM.*AK *PH *JB

Look up ODI 10034420 at NHTSA ↗

Suspension:Rear:Springs58,659–100,316 mi68,960 mi8
ODI 10002919 · 71,919 mi

PREMATURE FAILURE OF BOTH REAR SPRINGS, 1997 FORD ESCORT LX, VIN [XXX], RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF SPRING ASSY'S AT CUSTOMER COST FOR ALL PARTS, LABOR AND ASSOCIATED PARTS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Look up ODI 10002919 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10003079 · 54,636 mi

REAR SPRING BROKE ON A 1997 FORD ESCORT. THIS IS THE 5TH ESCORT OUR AGENCY OWNS THAT HAS HAD BROKEN REAR SPRINGS.

Look up ODI 10003079 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10018833 · 60,000 mi

REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE CRACKED - BOTH SIDES. VEHICLE ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. USED IN PRIMARILY IN CITY, RUNNING ERRANDS - FOR RETIRED COUPLE. ALSO: LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END IS WORN OUT AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAUSES A VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND ALSO RATTLES WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS (<1") AT LOW SPEEDS (<10 MPH). *JB

Look up ODI 10018833 at NHTSA ↗

Vehicle Speed ControlToo few reports for a range45,000 mi3 (sparse)
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

Look up ODI 10097832 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10144374 · 40 mi

DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING CAR, HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT, AND CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. SHE TRIED SHIFTING GEARS, USING BRAKES, AND PULLING PARKING BRAKE TO NO AVAIL. SHE CRASHED INTO PARKED CARS AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 200 YARDS UPHILL. WITNESSES SAY SHE WAS GOING ABOUT 30 TO 40 MPH. AFTER THE BLOWOUT, WHICH HAPPENED AS SHE WAS LEAVING A STOP. CAR WILL NOT BE REPAIRED, WILL BE JUNKED. IT IS TOO DANGEROUS FOR ANYONE TO DRIVE. *JB

Look up ODI 10144374 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10567436 · 90,500 mi

I TURNED RIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT AND SLOWLY TURNED RIGHT AGAIN INTO A PARKING SPACE. WHILE I WAS BRAKING, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND HIT A BUILDING. *TR

Look up ODI 10567436 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

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

1 reports2024-102026-09

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
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

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.

2026-09 (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
ComponentAir Bags:FrontalAir BagsElectrical SystemAir Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control ModuleEngine And Engine Cooling:EngineElectrical System:HornSuspension:Rear:SpringsVehicle Speed Control
Air Bags:Frontal—0000
2
ODI 10195671 · 73,500 mi

WHILE PARKED HORN WENT OFF ON ITS OWN. OWNER HAD TAKEN FUSE OUT TO STOP HORN FROM BLOWING. SPOKE TO DEALER & INFORMED SMALL PLASTIC PIECE HAD WORN AWAY BETWEEN HORN & AIR BAG MODULE. IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND WAS OBVIOUSLY A HAZARD (COULD POSSIBLY PREMATURELY ACTIVATE OR FAIL TO ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG). NO SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESS BY THE MANUFATURE TO MY KNOWLEDGE! OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS NOT A FACTOR AT ALL, OCCURS ON HOT, COLD OR RAINY DAYS. *AK

Look up ODI 10195671 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 8018140

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING APPLIED HORN AND THERE WAS NO NOISE. ALSO, DUAL AIRBAGS WILLNOT DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

Look up ODI 8018140 at NHTSA ↗

0
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

Look up ODI 10097832 at NHTSA ↗

Air Bags0—
1
ODI 10372042 · 233,000 mi

AIR BAG CONTROL DIAGNOSTIC MODULE SHORTED OUT DUE TO RUPTURED HEATER CORE. WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT A LOCAL JUNK YARD. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ITEM. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. *TR

Look up ODI 10372042 at NHTSA ↗

00
7
ODI 559498

THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE AND MAKING A CLICKING NOISE WHEN IT IS APPLIED, THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE HORN SWITCH WAS STUCK ON PART OF THE AIR BAG, DEALER REPLACED HORN AND DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG. NLM

Look up ODI 559498 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 712363

05/25/1999; WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE HEAD GASKET ON ENGINE "BLEW OUT" CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE. ON 07/15/1999; THE HORN STARTED HONKING CONTINUOUSLY ON IT'S OWN, WHEN CAR WAS PARKED & LOCKED. HAD TO REMOVE FUSE TO SHUT OFF. DEALER SAID IT WAS A BAD AIR-BAG MODULE, NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, COST $ 675.00. 07/25/99, CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BROKE OFF, CAR NOT DRIVEABLE. I NOTE 4 OTHER REPORTS ON THIS WEB-SITE FOR THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY, AND 1 EACH FOR THE HEAD-GASKET & HORN/AIRBAG PROBLEMS + MANY OTHER AIRBAG PROBLEMS.

Look up ODI 712363 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 751636

HORN STUCK, DOES NOT TURN OFF. TO REPLACE, DEALER MUST REPLACE AIRBAG ALSO. SAYS AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION BECAUSE HORN MALFUNCTIONED. ABOUT 7 SIMILAR PROBLEMS ARE LISTED ON THIS WEB SITE. THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE AND A MALFUNCTION IN THE HORN SHOULDN'T CAUSE PROBLEMS IN THE AIRBAG. PLUS, IT'S NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM THAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAR. HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE HORN WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALER DID NOT CATCH THIS PROBLEM WITH THE HORN/AIRBAG. ISN'T THIS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD PUT PASSENGERS AT RISK. WHO WOULD GU…

Look up ODI 751636 at NHTSA ↗

00
Electrical System0
1
ODI 10372042 · 233,000 mi

AIR BAG CONTROL DIAGNOSTIC MODULE SHORTED OUT DUE TO RUPTURED HEATER CORE. WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT A LOCAL JUNK YARD. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ITEM. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. *TR

Look up ODI 10372042 at NHTSA ↗

—000
1
ODI 10010095

BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE WIRING RECALL AND I TOLD THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS SPARK KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE WHEN IT FIRST STARTS AND UNDER HARD ACCELERATION. WHEN I DRIVE INTO MY PARENTS DRIVE WAY MY PARENTS TELL ME THAT THEY KNOW I AM THERE BECAUSE OF THE RADIO INTERFERENCE ON THE TV SCREEN. I KNOW A LOT ABOUT ELECTRICITY AND I KNOW THAT THIS IS CAUSED BY NOISE AND OR SHORTS, BAD CONNECTIONS WHAT HAVE YOU. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THE CAR HAS RESISTOR PLUGS. WE HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE COMPUTER ONCE AND NOW THIS RECALL TH…

Look up ODI 10010095 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10567436 · 90,500 mi

I TURNED RIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT AND SLOWLY TURNED RIGHT AGAIN INTO A PARKING SPACE. WHILE I WAS BRAKING, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND HIT A BUILDING. *TR

Look up ODI 10567436 at NHTSA ↗

Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module000—0000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine0000—000
Electrical System:Horn
2
ODI 10195671 · 73,500 mi

WHILE PARKED HORN WENT OFF ON ITS OWN. OWNER HAD TAKEN FUSE OUT TO STOP HORN FROM BLOWING. SPOKE TO DEALER & INFORMED SMALL PLASTIC PIECE HAD WORN AWAY BETWEEN HORN & AIR BAG MODULE. IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND WAS OBVIOUSLY A HAZARD (COULD POSSIBLY PREMATURELY ACTIVATE OR FAIL TO ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG). NO SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESS BY THE MANUFATURE TO MY KNOWLEDGE! OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS NOT A FACTOR AT ALL, OCCURS ON HOT, COLD OR RAINY DAYS. *AK

Look up ODI 10195671 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 8018140

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING APPLIED HORN AND THERE WAS NO NOISE. ALSO, DUAL AIRBAGS WILLNOT DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

Look up ODI 8018140 at NHTSA ↗

7
ODI 559498

THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE AND MAKING A CLICKING NOISE WHEN IT IS APPLIED, THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE HORN SWITCH WAS STUCK ON PART OF THE AIR BAG, DEALER REPLACED HORN AND DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG. NLM

Look up ODI 559498 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 712363

05/25/1999; WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE HEAD GASKET ON ENGINE "BLEW OUT" CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE. ON 07/15/1999; THE HORN STARTED HONKING CONTINUOUSLY ON IT'S OWN, WHEN CAR WAS PARKED & LOCKED. HAD TO REMOVE FUSE TO SHUT OFF. DEALER SAID IT WAS A BAD AIR-BAG MODULE, NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, COST $ 675.00. 07/25/99, CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BROKE OFF, CAR NOT DRIVEABLE. I NOTE 4 OTHER REPORTS ON THIS WEB-SITE FOR THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY, AND 1 EACH FOR THE HEAD-GASKET & HORN/AIRBAG PROBLEMS + MANY OTHER AIRBAG PROBLEMS.

Look up ODI 712363 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 751636

HORN STUCK, DOES NOT TURN OFF. TO REPLACE, DEALER MUST REPLACE AIRBAG ALSO. SAYS AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION BECAUSE HORN MALFUNCTIONED. ABOUT 7 SIMILAR PROBLEMS ARE LISTED ON THIS WEB SITE. THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE AND A MALFUNCTION IN THE HORN SHOULDN'T CAUSE PROBLEMS IN THE AIRBAG. PLUS, IT'S NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM THAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAR. HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE HORN WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALER DID NOT CATCH THIS PROBLEM WITH THE HORN/AIRBAG. ISN'T THIS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD PUT PASSENGERS AT RISK. WHO WOULD GU…

Look up ODI 751636 at NHTSA ↗

000—00
Suspension:Rear:Springs00
1
ODI 10010095

BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE WIRING RECALL AND I TOLD THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS SPARK KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE WHEN IT FIRST STARTS AND UNDER HARD ACCELERATION. WHEN I DRIVE INTO MY PARENTS DRIVE WAY MY PARENTS TELL ME THAT THEY KNOW I AM THERE BECAUSE OF THE RADIO INTERFERENCE ON THE TV SCREEN. I KNOW A LOT ABOUT ELECTRICITY AND I KNOW THAT THIS IS CAUSED BY NOISE AND OR SHORTS, BAD CONNECTIONS WHAT HAVE YOU. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THE CAR HAS RESISTOR PLUGS. WE HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE COMPUTER ONCE AND NOW THIS RECALL TH…

Look up ODI 10010095 at NHTSA ↗

000—0
Vehicle Speed Control
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

Look up ODI 10097832 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 10567436 · 90,500 mi

I TURNED RIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT AND SLOWLY TURNED RIGHT AGAIN INTO A PARKING SPACE. WHILE I WAS BRAKING, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND HIT A BUILDING. *TR

Look up ODI 10567436 at NHTSA ↗

0000—

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.

6 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

25 mentions · 4.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 84,500 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10011217

THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP.*JB

Look up ODI 10011217 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10026603

PROBLEMS WITH WIRING HARNESS RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE. *MR WHILE THE CONSUMER PROCEEDED THROUGH A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACT ERRATICALLY, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT LATER CAUGHT FIRE AWAITING DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THIS FAILURE BUT THE CONSUMER DIDN'T RECEIVED THE NOTICED PRIOR TO THE FIRE (RECALL # 02V323000). THE CONSUMER ALSO REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SCC *NLM

Look up ODI 10026603 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10029631 · 44,532 mi

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STALLING OUT.*MR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO IDLE AND ALMOST STALL AT EVERY STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE FIVE TIMES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *TS. THE SPARK WIRES WERE REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WAS CLEANED, THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED, THE DEALER THEN DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS CARBON BUILD UP, AND IT WAS EXPLAINED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN THE NEW HEADS SHOULD HAVE REVISED VALVE GUIDES AND EXHAUST VALVES TO PREVENT CARBON BUILD UP *JB

Look up ODI 10029631 at NHTSA ↗

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

Brake response concerns

18 mentions · 3.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 44,500 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10040773 · 43,000 mi

BRAKES FAILED. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC SAID THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DRIVELINE. *AK

Look up ODI 10040773 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10538195 · 46,000 mi

THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS CAR. IT WAS NOT VERY DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT OF A BRAKE LINE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. THE LOCATION OF THE BRAKE LINE FAILURE IS WHERE THE LINE IS FASTENED TO THE BODY WHEN THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS DEFECT MAY EXIST ON MANY OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE, THAT IS WHY I AM REPORTING IT TO YOU. *JS

Look up ODI 10538195 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 521459

BRAKE PEDAL LINKAGE WAS EXCESSIVE AND OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, ALLOWING UNNECESSARY BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL.

Look up ODI 521459 at NHTSA ↗

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

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

11 mentions · 2.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 59,386 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10019381

THE VEHICLES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND GIVEN A TUNE UP. A DAY LATER THE ENGINE SIEZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TOT HE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE. *NLM

Look up ODI 10019381 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10022776 · 74,239 mi

CONSUMER HAD RECALL 02V323000 REMEDIED IN 03/03. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE CONSUMER WAS VERY CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY. *AK THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON FOR TWO DAYS. THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS IT HAD COME BACK ON. *SCC THE POWER WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL DOWN.*JB

Look up ODI 10022776 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10029631 · 44,532 mi

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STALLING OUT.*MR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO IDLE AND ALMOST STALL AT EVERY STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE FIVE TIMES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *TS. THE SPARK WIRES WERE REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WAS CLEANED, THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED, THE DEALER THEN DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS CARBON BUILD UP, AND IT WAS EXPLAINED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN THE NEW HEADS SHOULD HAVE REVISED VALVE GUIDES AND EXHAUST VALVES TO PREVENT CARBON BUILD UP *JB

Look up ODI 10029631 at NHTSA ↗

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

Steering assistance concerns

6 mentions · 1.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 155,941 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10554623 · 155,941 mi

VALVE SEAT NO. 4 FELL OUT OF HEAD AND WAS DESTROYED, DAMAGING NO. 4 AND NO. 3 PISTON, AND THE HEAD ITSELF. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE TOTAL FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE PARKED RATHER THAN ON THE INTERSTATE, AT WHICH TIME POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WOULD HAVE FAILED. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN MODE OF FAILURE FOR THIS ENGINE BUT, APPARENTLY, FORD AND NHTSA TOOK NO STEPS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE ENGINE WAS DISCONTINUED IN 2005. *TR

Look up ODI 10554623 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10822374

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES AND FUSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

Look up ODI 10822374 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 528058

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP,BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT, NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS DURING COLLISION.

Look up ODI 528058 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

4 mentions · 0.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 45,000 mi (1 usable records).

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

Look up ODI 10097832 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 837661

WHEN PULLING OUT VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD. THIS MAY CAUSE A CRASH. ALSO, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYS ON. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Look up ODI 837661 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 839082

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE JERKS OR VIBRATES AND HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Look up ODI 839082 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

2 mentions · 0.4% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

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 ↗

ODI 880347

FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Look up ODI 880347 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b