1997 FORD ESCORT Complaints

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, SUDDENLY THE RIGHT AXLE BROKE ,DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION/ STEERING WHEEL, FORCING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

THE RECALL AIR BAG FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (RECALL NUMBER 02V323000). THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE CONSUMERS DRIVEWAY WHEN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. *MR *SCC *NLM

CONSUMER NOTICED CRACKS ON TOP OF FIRESTONE TIRES DUE TO DRY ROTTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

I BOUGHT A 1997 FORD ESCORT WAGON NEW AND LOVE IT AND HAS ONLY 30000 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY I HAD A PROBLEM WITH STEERING THE VEHICLE SO I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME I NEEDED NEW TIE ROD ENDS AND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. AS I DO NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE HARD AND DO NOT HAUL ANYTHING EXCEPT MY PUPPY AND GROCERIES, I HAD A HARD TIME BELIEVING THIS. SO I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER GARAGE AND ANOTHER MECHANIC TOLD ME THE SAME THING AND SHOWED IT TO ME. I AM NO LONGER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS UNSAFE AND THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE PLACED ON A RECALL LIST AND FIXED BY FORD FREE OF CHARGE. NEITHER ME OR MY HUSBAND HAVE EVER HAD THIS HAPPEN AND WE FEEL THAT DEFINITELY THIS HAS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE SO THAT I CAN KNOW WHICH DIRECTION TO PURSUE THIS MATTER, A.E., NEWSPAPERS, TV STATIONS, ETC. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *JB

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

THE REAR SUSPENSION IN MY CAR IS ALL OUT OF WHACK. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE REAR SPRINGS. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS LIKE WITH REAR SUSPENSION IN THESE CARS. I DRIVE AN ESCORT WAGON. I DON'T GO OFF ROADING SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE REAR SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. SEEMS LIKE THIS COULD BE AN ISSUE OF A FAULTY PART OR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. WHEN I HAVE PEOPLE IN THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR THE HANDLING IS AWFUL AND I HAVE TO GO REALLY SLOW OVER ANY SORT OF BUMP BECAUSE THE CAR WILL BOTTOM OUT! JUST THOUGHT OTHERS MAY BE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. *NLM

LTR FM AGNES VANANTWERP (FL) MR THE CONSUMER SEEKED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR OF LEAKAGE IN THE EVAPORATOR WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE AIR BAG MONITOR DOT 2003-2332. SINCE THEN, THERE WAS CONDENSATION IN THE A/C WHEN IN USE AND CAUSED THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO FILL WITH WATER. SCC *JB

MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. SHE AND MY TWO CHILDREN WERE CHOPPERED TO A TRAUMA UNIT. MY 10 WEEK OLD SON WAS IN THE EVENFLO ON MY WAY SYSTEM AND THE BASE BROKE APART UPON IMPACT. THE SYSTEM HELD HIM IN PLACE, BUT MY CONCERN IS WITH THE BASE BREAKING APART. MODEL#4921B7P2 MANUFACTURED 14 JAN98. *JB

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR RECALL REPAIRS ON THE AIR BAG MODULE ON 5/5/2003 TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO THE REPAIRS WITHOUT AN EXPLANATION. ON 5/8/2003 THE AIR BAG MODULE SHORT CIRCUITED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. RECALL # 02V323000. *JB

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