1996 FORD Escort Problems & Complaints

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 SATISFACTION. I THINK THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE ON FORD'S PART. AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, WHO HAS WORKED IN A HOSPITAL NEUROSURGERY UNIT, THE POTENTIAL FOR A SERIOUS HEAD INJURY RESULTING FROM A MALFUNCTIONING SEAT BELT SUCH AS REPORTED ABOVE IS VERY REAL. IT SHOULD NOT BE AN OPTION FOR FORD TO NOT REPLACE SUCH A FAULTY SAFETY DEVICE - FORD SHOULD BE MANDATED TO REPLACE SUCH DEFECTIVE SAFETY DEVICES AND THERE SHOULD BE NO TIME LIMIT ON SUCH A REPLACEMENT OR RECALL. A MEDICAL LEGAL LIABILITY CASE WOULD COST FORD MORE THAN THE COST OF REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT. *TR

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 FORWARD IN THE TRACK THAN PREVIOUSLY. I AM DISHEARTEN TO LEARN THAT OTHERS WHO HAVE TRIED THE PROCESS EXPLAINED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO MANUALLY MOVE THE BELT IN THE TRACK HAS FAILED. I AM AT A LOSS AS TO WHY FORD, HAVING BEEN NOTIFIED OF SO MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME EXACT FAILURE OF THEIR SAFETY EQUIPMENT, HAS CHOSEN TO IGNORE IT! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT IF THIS IS EVIDENCE OF HOW THEY TREAT THEIR FAITHFUL CUSTOMERS! CAN ANYTHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS??? *TR

THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT IN MY 1996 FORD ESCORT FAILED TO MOVE SEVERAL TIMES UPON OPENING THE DOOR. ON ONE OCCASION WHEN IT FAILED TO RELEASE I WENT TO GET UP UNDER IT WHEN IT MOVED FORWARD DRAGGING ME WITH IT AND INJURING MY NECK. *JB

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTER DOES NOT RETRACT. *JB

THREE SEAT BELTS OF 5 IN MY 1996 FORD ESCORT DO NOT WORK. THE SPRINGS OF THE SHOULDER HARNESS OF THE TWO REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT WORK. THE ESCORT WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT FORD REFUSED TO FIX WITHOUT SUBSTANTIAL COST FOR THE PARTS BECAUSE SEAT BELTS WERE NO LONGER COVERED. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS MOTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, CAUSING THE SHOULDER HARNESS TO NOT BE IN A SAFE POSITION. NO INJURIES AT THIS POINT. IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT PASSENGERS AND DRIVER WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED BY SEAT BELTS. INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS APPROXIMATE DATE REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED. *JB

FIRST MY ENGINE SEEMED TO OVERHEAT A BIT THEN EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE IT WOULD SOUND LIKE THE ENGINE WAS GRINDING ON SOMETHING AND WOULDN'T STOP.. SOUNDED LIKE A BUNCH OF CHAINS IN MY HOOD. BUT THEN ON OCCASIONS THE STUPID THING WOULDN'T SHUT OFF WHEN IT WAS MAKING THE CHAIN SOUND, EVEN WITH MY KEY OUT. IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN AND NOW THE THING SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING AND I HAVE NO POWER WHAT SO EVER IN MY VEHICLE. BEFORE WHEN IT FINALLY SHUT OFF IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO SPARK. THEN IT WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE THAT WASN'T COOL. *TR

1996 FORD ESCORT HAS HAD CYLINDER HEAD AND GASKET REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS LOW MILEAGE AND NOW IT'S JUST SITTING. **CC *NM

ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 11, 2005 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY I EXPIRED A SUDDEN SPIKE IN TEMPERATURE ON MY 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT MY "PLASTIC" INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION AND HAD NEVER RECEIVED ANY SORT OF CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION FROM FORD. I HEARD ABOUT THE MANIFOLD ISSUE FROM A FELLOW EMPLOYEE. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS FOR THIS FAULTY MANIFOLD WAS $978.00. I FEEL IF THEY KNEW THEY NEEDED TO UPDATE IT WITH AN ALUMINUM MANIFOLD THAN THEY KNEW THE PLASTIC ONES WERE FAULTY.*JB

TIMING BELT BROKE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY. ALTHOUGH LUCKILY THERE WAS NO INJURY, I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND SIMILAR REPORT FROM THE INTERNET WHOSE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED DURING THE SAME PERIOD. I THINK SOMEONE HAS TO INFORMED THE OWNER TO CHECK THE TIMING BELT OR RECCOMEND A REPLACEMENT BEFORE ANYONE GET HURT. THE VEHICLE IS FORD ESCORT LX 96, MANUFACTURE ON 12/95.*AK

VALVE GUIDE SEPARATED FROM HEAD. GOT INTO THE CYLINDER AND SCORED THE CYLINDER WALLS AND THE VALVE DROPPPED. RUINED THE ENGINE. *AK

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

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

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 ON THE EXPRESSWAY, AND I HOPE WE CAN RESOLVE THIS MATTER BEFORE THE ENGINE QUITS ENTIRELY AND SOMEONE GETS HURT. PRECISION TUNE, WHO REPAIRED THE TOP OF THE ENGINE LAST YEAR SAID THAT THESE BOSCH PLATINUM SPARK PLUGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND THEY HAVE SEEN THEM EXPLODE IN OTHER AUTOS (BOSCH PLATINUM SPARK PLUG HR9HP0). *NLM

CONSUMER STATES AUTO CAUGHT FIRE , BURNING HIS BACK SEAT AND EVERYTHING IN THE BACK SEAT. CONSUMER STATES HE OBSERVED BURNED WIRES IN HIS TRUCK OF HIS AUTO.*JB

CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH AND COULD SMELL THE ELECTRICAL WIRE BURNING, CONSUMER DISCONNECTED A FUSE TO STOP THE FIRE, THE WIRE WAS BURNED FROM UNDER THE DASH BACK TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, CLAIM 05-4562-613. *SLC

1996 FORD EXPLORER, 4X4. DRIVING IN DESERT WENT OVER A BUMP A LITTLE FAST, WHICH SET OFF MY AIRBAGS. MY RIDER IS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR BROKEN NOSE, CHEEK AND SOME KIND OF SMOKE INHALATION. MY WINDSHIELD IS BROKEN BECAUSE THE BAG HIT THE MIRROR WHICH THEN HIT THE WINDSHIELD. MY STEERING WHEEL IS DESTROYED, CRUISE CONTROL AND HORNS ARE OUT OF SERVICE. BEFORE I COULD DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN I HAD TO CUT THE AIRBAGS OUT. WHAT THE HELL IS THIS! NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR EXCEPT WHAT THE AIRBAGS DID. I WANT THIS ALL FIXED AT FORD'S EXPENSE. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR 10 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS EXCEPT; RECALLED TIRES, STEERING BARS AND BRAKES (ALL RECALL). *TR

CONSUMER CRASHED INTO A TRUCK AND WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN WHICH NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS EXPERIENCED DEPLOYMENT UNTIL THE SECOND IMPACT, ONE PERSON WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC

CONSUMER CRASHED INTO A TRUCK AND WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN WHICH NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS EXPERIENCED DEPLOYMENT UNTIL THE SECOND IMPACT, ONE PERSON WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC

AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN VERY LOW SPEED IMPACT, CAUSING NO DAMAGE TO CAR EXCEPT REAR VIEW MIRROR WHEN AIR BAG HIT IT. AIR BAG SENSORS WERE NOT TOUCHED, CAUSING 1500 DAMAGE TO REPLACE AIRBAGS.. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON A COUNTRY ROAD AND A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED INTO CONSUMER'S FACE, AND SUBSTANCE THAT CAME OUT, MADE HER VERY SICK. *AK

WHILE DRIVING SPEEDOMETER BECOMES ERRATIC; SPEEDOMETER ACCELERATES THREE TIMES, ACTUAL SPEED BEING DRIVEN. CANNOT DETERMINE MILEAGE ON VEHICLE. VEHICLE ALSO MAKES STRANG NOISE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

SPEEDOMETER MAKES GRINDING SOUND READS MUCH HIGHER THAN ACTUAL SPEED. ALSO FLUCTUATES WILDLY. *AK

SPEEDODOMETER OPERATES ERRATICALLY, DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECT LEVELS OF SPEED. HAS BEEEN REPLACED ONCE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK CONSUMER WAITING FOR NEW PART TO BE SHIPPED FOR SECOND REPLACEMENT. *YH

SPEEDOMETER BECAME ERRATIC, DISPLAYED WRONG SPEED, AT BETWEEN 20000 - 30000 MILES. HAD DEALER REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. NEW SPEEDOMETER IS DOING SAME ERRATIC BEHAVIOUR AT 90000 - 100000 MILES. THIS IS EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. CAN NOT DETERMINE SAFE SPEED WHILE ON HIGHWAY. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE DESIGN, SINCE TWO MANUFACTURER PROVIDED SPEEDOMETERS HAVE FAILED IN IDENTICAL MANNER. SAFETY CONCERN!! CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER @ 1-800-392-3673. THEY WILL NOT LISTEN OR REPLACE DEFECTIVE DESIGNED EQUIPMENT. *AK

FRONT WHEELS SEIZED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT, POSSIBLY DUE TO FAUTLY TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *ML

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.

I NEVER HAULED ANYTHING HEAVY IN THE BACK OF MY STATION WAGON. THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE HOLLOW NOT SOLID AND FAILED BECAUSE THEY RUSTED THROUGH AS A RESULT OF WATER COLLECTING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SUPPORT WHICH HOLDS THE BASE OF THE SPRING IN THE CORRECT POSITION. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT MANY TIMES WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP THE BROKEN SPRING WILL TWIST AND PUNCTURE THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE THAT IT IS ADJACENT TO THE SPRING. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE SAME SPRING FAILURE OCCURS WITH ALL THE FORD ESCORT STATION WAGONS. FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON ALL THESE STATION WAGONS AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. NLM

BOTH SPRINGS ALSO BROKE ON A 1995 FORD ESCORT WAGON (SEPARATE REPORT SUBMITTED) OWNED BY OUR AGENCY, ALSO MY DAUGHTERS 1994 FORD ESCORT JUST HAD TWO BROKEN REAR SPRINGS (REPORT NOT SUBMITTED) THAT WERE REPLACED.

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE HIT A BUMP AND SHOOK IN FRONT AND REAR. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SLC

WHILE DRIVING IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO THE STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE. THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BE RESOLVED. *AK

TIE ROD FAILURE ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE TIE RODS ON BOTH SIDES WERE REPLACED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. WHEN TAKEN IN TO THE SHOP THEY FOUND THE RIGHT SIDE WAS VERY BAD ALSO. THIS CAR HAS 59,000 MILES. THE FAILURE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. PRETTY SCARRY STUFF...*JB

THE LEFT, OUTER TIE ROD BROKE, TRAVELING ON A STAIGHT, SMOOTH ROAD AT ABOUT 35 MPH. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE, IT WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND LEFT THE ROAD. IT CAME TO A STOP AGAINST A TREE, CAUSING SLIGHT BODY DAMAGE.*AK

SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE (15,000), SECOND SPEEDOMETER HAS NOW FAILED(35800MI). *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THE HARMONIC BALANCER CAME OFF, CAUSING STEERING TO MAKE LOUD NOISES. *AK

SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 1999, I HAVE REPORTED TO FORD MOTOR AND BUDGET CAR SALES THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, BRAKES JAM, VEHICLE GOES BACKWARD AND JERKS FORWARD WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC. FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND BUDGET AUTO SALES SAYS THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND I NEED TO WAIT UNTIL "SOMETHING HAPPENS" THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP AND I IMPLORE SOMEONE TO ASSIST ME IN GETTING THESE DEFECTS CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.*AK

SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE (1996 FORD SABLE) I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS..THE CAR SHUTS OFF AT SPEEDS OF 10MPH, WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC, OR ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBEM TO NHTSA, THE DEALER, FORD MOTOR CO. AND THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER, THE DEALER SAYS HE CAN NOT FIX IT UNTIL IT DUPLICATES WHILE HE HAS IT...AGAIN HE SAYS "WAIT UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS" , I ASKED IF HE WERE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE INJURED OR KILLED HE SAID UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S WHAT WILL HAVE TO HAPPEN IN ORDER TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. I FIND THIS TO BE A LUDICRUOUS ANSWER, FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBLITY FOR MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO CORRECT THESE DEFECTS.*AK

THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE ROTORS TO BE WARPED AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO FAIL. DEALER REPLACED ROTORS, PROBLEM IS STILL REOCCURRING. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK *SLC

FRONT DISC BRAKES LOCK UP ON SUDDEN STOPS, RESULTING IN FISHTAILING. *AK

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

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 THE VEHICLE'S SHEET METAL, SHOT MANY SMALL PIECES OF TIRE THROUGH THE HOLE INTO THE INTERIOR CARGO AREA IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL AT THE SAME TIME. THANKFULLY MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO HANDLE THE CAR DURING THIS CATASTROPHIC EVENT AND SUCCESSFULLY MANEUVER IT ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME SINCE IT WOULD NO LONGER START, AND WHEN IT ARRIVED I NOTICED THE LARGE HOLE THAT HAD BEEN MADE INSIDE THE WHEEL WELL BY THE TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE STILL HAD PRESSURE, BUT AT THAT TIME I SAW THAT ABOUT HALF OF THE TREAD WAS COMPLETELY MISSING. SINCE THE FORD ESCORT HAS ITS FUEL CUTOUT SWITCH INSTALLED AGAINST THE PASSENGER-SIDE WHEEL WELL, I CHECKED TO SEE IF THAT HAD TRIPPED AND IT HAD. ONCE IT WAS RESET THE CAR WAS ABLE TO START AND THE ENGINE RAN NORMALLY. AS A RESULT OF THIS CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURE MY WIFE WAS PLACED IN AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION, STRANDED ON THE ROAD, AND SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO OUR VEHICLE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING AS A FORMER AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER THAT TIRE FAILURES OF THIS KIND ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AND ANY TIRE THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO THIS FAILURE MUST NOT BE USED. I HAVE REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES WITH NEW TIRES OF A DIFFERENT BRAND AND AM WORKING ON HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS EVENT I HAD CHECKED THE PRESSURE IN ALL 4 TIRES AND HAD INFLATED THEM JUST UNDER THE MAXIMUM LISTED ON THE SIDE OF THE TIRE (44 PSI). *TR

TIRE ON 2 CASES BLEW THE TREAD AND BELT, THE LATER OF THE TWO INCIDENCES WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH THAT TOTALED THE VEHICLE, AND RESULTED IN TWO INJURIES TO BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER. BOTH NEEDED TO BE HOSPITALIZED.*AK

TIRE SEPARATION WITH CHUNKS OF TIRE GONE LEAVING RADIAL BELT EXPOSE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIRE, SAME COMPANY AND SAME TIRE THAT HAS SEPARATED. BOTH LEAVING LARGE AREAS OF RADIAL BELT EXPOSED. HAVE PICTURES. NO ACCIDENT NO INJURIES, DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN BOTH EVIDENTLY SEPARATED BASED ON NOISE AND SHAKING. *JB

TREAD ON RIGHT REAR TIRE PARTIALLY SEPARATED, WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY (DOT NUMBER: HY8JNJB466 TIRESIZE: P175/65R14)

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

MY 1996 MERCURY VILLAGER DEVELOPED A FAILURE IN THE AIR FLOW SENSOR (PART $330) THAT RESULTED IN VEHICLE STALLS, INCLUDING STOPS ON THE HIGHWAY, THAT NEARLY RESULTED IN CRASHES. THE REQUIRED REPAIRS EXCEEDED $500. I KNOW FORD HAS A SIMILAR RECALL OUT NOW FOR THE 1997-2003 (/) MODELS). *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD AND RUNNING OVER SOME DERIS ON FLOOR FUEL LINE WAS PUNCTURED, AND CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER. THEN NOTICED THAT FUEL LINES WERE NOT MADE OUT OF METAL, BUT PLASTIC. *AK

WHEN MAKING A STOP FUEL IS HEARD SLOSHING BACK AND FOURTH IN THE FUEL TANK. THIS BEGAN HAPPENING ABOUT A WEEK AGO. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. OWNER WAS TOLD THAT BAFFLES WERE NOT PUT IN THE FUEL TANK FOR ESCORTS THAT YEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

POSSIBLE FUEL LINE FAILURE CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK. YH

FUEL GAUGE FAILED.

ON 06/03/2005, A GOVERNMENT OWNED, 1996 FORD BRONCO, WAS OBSERVED ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING GARAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF AND PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT HOURS WHEN THE FIRE OCCURRED. THE FIRE WAS OBSERVED AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, AND BURNED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT COULD BE EXTINGUISHED. THE FIRE WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH.

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

SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE OUT OF CONTROL ABOVE 50 MPH. NOT A SAFE SITUATION. MANUFACTURER IS APPARENTLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DOESN'T HAVE A PROBLEM CHARGING ME UP TO $500 TO FIX THEIR DEFECT

DASHBOARD NOISE.

ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED.

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 STATION AND GOT SAME CODE. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND HAS ASKED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR A SMOKE TEST.

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE BACKING OUT AND CAUSED SERIOUS ACCIDENT. YH

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ON THREE OCCASIONS. *AK

STARTED VEHICLE ON MORNING OF 1/28. REVVING AT EXTREMELY HIGH SPEED. THOUGHT THAT SOMETHING (THROTTLE?) WAS FROZEN. DROVE 2 MILES TO SERVICE STATION. TECH WORKED FOR 10 DAYS TRYING TO FIND ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. TOWED TO DEALER ON 2/8/99. DEALER COULD FIGURE OUT WHERE PROBLEM IS. CAR STILL WITH DEALER. *AK

WHILE LEAVING A PARKING STRUCTURE THE AUTO SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 50 MPH AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED, NOT EVEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKES STOPPED THE AUTO. CONSUMER PULLED KEY OUT OF IGNITION AND THEN THE AUTO CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP.*AK

I DO NOT HAVE ANY EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE CONSISTED OF MY SEAT BACK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SNAPPING AT THE BASE. AFTER PULLING THE SEAT COVER OFF I NOTICED THAT THE STAINLESS STEEL FRAME ON THE SEAT COMPLETELY BROKE/SNAPPED ALLOWING THE SEAT TO FALL BACK UNCONTROLLABLY. I WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME AND ALMOST WRECKED. I REPLACED THE SEAT WITH A LIKE SEAT FROM A USED VEHICLE. *NM

THE WINSHIELD WIPER WILL COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENLY. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

NO SUMMARY

WHILE STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY A VAN, UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE IN HALF. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

1996 FORD ESCORT, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING WEST BOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. UNIT 1'S HOOD OPENED AND STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. UNIT 1 CONTINUED ON TO THE NEXT EMERGENCY PULL OFF TO FILE THE REPORT. BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0142-90)*JB UPDATED 04/22/11 *BF

DOOR HANDLE OR LOCK BROKEN, OWNER HAS TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE.

PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. YOU HAVE TO GET OUT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE.

1996 FORD ESCORT'S LEFT FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE LEFT FRONT QUARTER PANEL WAS DESTROYED AND THE FRONT BUMPER AND HOOD BUCKLED/DENTED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *NM

TWO OF THE FOUR LUGS:NUTS ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE CAME OFF AND TWO WERE LOOSE . THE LUGS:NUTS WERE TIGHTENED AND REPLACED BY THE OWNER. BUT THE LUGS:NUTS CONTINUE TO LOOSEN AND COME OFF. *AK

WHEELS OUT OF ROUND ON DELIVERY CAUSING VIBRATION.

SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING THIS POPPING OR CRACKING SOUND AT LOW SPEEDS AND ON SIDE TO SIDE MOVEMENTS AND ON UNEVEN TERRAIN. DEALER HAS NOT FOUND THE CAUSE BUT YET CHANGED ALL SHOCK ABSORBERS AND FINALLY INFORMED ME IT WAS DESIGN FLAW FOR 96 MODELS - CHASSIS AND BODY - WILL SEND ME A BULLETIN BUT NEVER RECEIVED ONE. THE NOISE PERSIST AND MUCH LOUDER.

UNDERCARRIAGE NOISE.

REAR WELDS BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES ON QUARTER PANELS SEPARATED, CAUSING WATER LEAKS. *AK

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

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

AT STOP LIGHT #4 CYLINDER DROPPED VALVE SEAT DESTROYING HEAD AND ALL 4 PISTONS. ALSO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY GIVING CODE 1433. REPLACED SOLENOID AS RECOMMENDED BY TSB AND IT STILL FAILS AT RANDOM INTERVALS. *AK

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

NO SUMMARY.

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL FILLER LINE FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE PREVIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS LEAKING FLUID. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL ON OTHER FORD VEHICLES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, THE REPAIR WERE MADE FOR A FEE. ALSO EVERY 25000 MILES, THE OIL PAN GASKET NEEDED TO BE CHANGED DUE A SMALL LEAK. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIRD, THE EXHAUST AND INTAKE MANIFOLDS WERE LEAKING CAUSING A NOXIOUS SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE SAME SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH MANIFOLDS, AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK DRIPPING ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

THE HEAD LIGHT LENSES ON THE FRONT OF MY 96 FORD ESCORT FROM THE HEAT OF THE BULBS BEING EVENTUALLY START TO MELT I BELIEVE THIS IS A PROBLEM OF POOR QUALITY ON FORDS PART. *JB

INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED ON 1996 THUNDERBIRD IN 2000. IT IS NOW CRACKED, AND AFTER SPENDING 550.00 TO FIND THAT OUT, THERE IS NOTHING FORD WILL DO EVEN THOUGH IT IS ON CAMPAIGN (97M91). NOW I CAN NOT DRIVE MY CAR.

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.

WHEN TALKING TO A MACHINE SHOP THERE IS A TECH BULLETIN STATING THAT FORD ON 94-97 WHEN THEY BAKED THE POWDER METAL FOR THEIR INTAKE SEATS SOMETHING WENT WRONG AND THAT ALL SEATS IN HEAD SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE PEOPLE AT THE MACHINE SHOP SAID THEY HAD TO EVEN REPLACE ALL THE PISTONS IN THE MOTORS DUE TO THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE DEFECTIVE SEATS. AND IT IS ALL A FORD ERROR AND THEY KNOW IT

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

FUEL LINE TO THE FUEL PUMP HAS A PLASTIC CLIP THAT SECURES THE RUBBER FUEL LINE TO THE FUEL PUMP, PLASTIC CLIP FAILED CAUSING HIGH PRESSURE FUEL TO LEAK AND MASSIVELY. THE LEAK IS UNDER THE BACK SEAT WHERE THE CHILD SITS

SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK MIDWAY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, FINALLY IT CAME OFF THE TRACK. I DO NOT HAVE A SEAT BELT TO WEAR NOW. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT PROBLEM BEGAN AT UNDER 10,OOO MI VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO DEALER WAS REPAIRED (MAYBE? OR WAS IT ONLY RESET?) OXYGEN SENSOR' S (2 )HAD TO BE REPLACED TO PASS EMISSION TEST. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. PASSENGER DOOR HAD PROBLEM TOOK TO DEALER WHO SORT OF FIXED IT. AT LEAST ONE COULD OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE. BUT IT WAS DIFFICULT. EVENTUALLY PROBLEM RESURFACED. I HAVE NOTICED THAT MANY OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THE SEAT BELTS AND WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURENCE. I AM A CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER AND I NOTICE THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON IN THE FORD SQUAD CARS. THERE ARE PROBLEMS WHICH NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THE SEAT BELT ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. UNTIL I SAW YOUR WEB INFO IN A MAGAZINE, I WAS NOT AWARE THERE WAS ANY RECOURSE OTHER THAN TO COMPLAIN TO THE MANUFACTURER WHICH IS FRUITLESS. PERHAPS YOUR NUMBER AND INFORMATION NEED TO BE LISTED ON THE VEHICLE INFORMATION BOOKS THAT ARE SUPPLIED TO NEW CAR BUYERS. I ONLY WONDER HOW MANY OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN REPORTED OTHER THAN TO FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE. *AK .

RADIO CONTROLS HAVE BEEN CHANGED FROM DIAL TO A KEY PAD, DESIGN PROBLEM CAUSING DRIVING TO REMOVE EYES FROM ROAD.

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

THEERE IS A LOUD CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING GEAR. ALSO, CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEM WITH BRAKES, AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWO TIMES. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

DRIVER'S SIDE MAP LIGHT HAS LITTLE OR NO USE.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND VEHICLE CUT OFF. HAD VEHICLE TOWED. LAST WEEK CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, DROVE VEHICLE ABOUT FIVE MILES AND IT CUT OFF AGAIN. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE HOUSE, CALLED ZONE OFFICE NEXT MORNING AND WAS TOLD TO SEE WHAT COLOR LIGHT WAS, AND LIGHT WAS YELLOW. VEHICLE STARTED THE NEXT MORNING. THIRD FAILURE HAS OCCURRED AND DEALER HAS CALLED AND SAID COME PICKUP THE CAR BECAUSE FORD CANNOT FIX THIS PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. *AK

OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED; ALSO AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS LOCKED DURING DEPLOYMENT, INJURING DRIVER AND WIFE AND GAS GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED, IS OFF BY AT LEAST 3 GALLONS. *AK

DURING VEHICLE OPERATION A SEVERE PULL TO THE LEFT IS EXPERIENCED. THE RACK AND PINION, RIGHT FRONT SHOCKS, AND THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS A RESULT.*AK

BRAKE FAILURE, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, LOSS OF COMPLETE EFFECTIVENESS. *AK WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. CV JOINT FAILURE. STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER. *SLC

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED AND BRAKES BEGAN TO SMOKE WHILE DRIVING. *AK