1999 Ford Escort

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2004· STEERING

  POWER STERRING PUMP AND RACK AND PINION LEAKING. *AK

• 12/30/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  NHTSA#10003194/612956/606433/6092008/615400/615476/615381 ENGINE VIBRATION FELT THRU STEERING WHEEL WHILE IN GEAR

• 12/30/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHEN AC IS ON AT STEADY HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCES SURGING INTERMITTENTLY, UNABLE TO RECTIFY PROBLEMS. MJS

• 12/30/1998· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHENEVER THE HORN HAS TO BE USED IT FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY AFTER BEING HIT. THERE IS NO NOISE. JUST SILENCE. WILL BE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT, DESIGN OF THE HORN IS HAMPERED BY THE INSTALLATION OF THE AIR BAG. *AK

• 12/29/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I MUST REPLACE MY INTAKE MANIFOLD DUE TO A LEAK ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. I SEE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON OTHER FORD MODELS FOR THAT YEAR BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT DOESN'T APPLY TO WINDSTARS. I FEEL IT SHOULD BE SINCE I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT? *JB

• 12/29/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• 12/27/2001· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

• 12/22/2006· STRUCTURE

  FAILURRE OF ALL FOUR MOTOR MOUNTS IN MY 1999 FORD ESCORT. *NM

• 12/22/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  1999 FORD ESCORT, 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, STATION WAGON: OIL LEAKED THROUGH THE CAMSHAFT BOLTS INTO THE MANUAL CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, CAUSING IT TO GUM UP AND EVENTUALLY FAIL TO DISENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION. SYMPTOMS INCLUDED THE CAR LURCHING FORWARD WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE WITH THE CLUTCH FULLY DEPRESSED, AND A THUMPING SOUND WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED WHILE DRIVING. THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE BY KAYSER FORD IN MADISON WI; UNCLEAR WHAT WAS DONE WITH THE OLD PARTS.*JB

• 12/21/2000· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

  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

• 12/21/1999· AIR BAGSCrash

  FRONT END HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE'S FRONT END AT ROUGHLY 15 TO 20MPH, AND NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/18/2001· SUSPENSION

  WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE CAN BE HEARD WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AS BEING DRIVEN THE MORE PRONONCED THE NOISE BECOMES. AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS COMPLETED IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT BEARINGS WERE BAD. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 12/17/2007· POWER TRAIN

  I PURCHASED A 1999 FORD WINSTAR IN 2005 AND MY TRANSMISSION STARTED TO GO 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED FOR 1500.00 WHILE SEARCHING YOUR SITE I DISCOVERED MANY DEFECTS AND RECALLS TO MY VAN WHICH I PLAN TO TAKE TO A FORD DEALER. I WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

• 12/17/1999· STEERINGCrash

  WHILE IN MILWAUKEE PREPARING TO GO HOME MADE A STOP AT THE STOP SIGN THEN MADE A TURN, TRAVELING ABOUT 12-15 FT AND STEERING BROKE, SENDING THE AUTOMOBILE OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A TREE. NO INJURIES. *AK

• 12/16/1999· AIR BAGSCrash

  CONSUMER TRIED TO REDUCE SPEED TO AVOID REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT STOPPED IN FRONT OF HER VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. DURING COLLISION BOTH AIR BAGS EXPERIENCED NO DEPLOYMENT. *AK *YC

• 12/16/1998· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMCrash

  CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH HORN. WHEN CONSUMER THEY APPLIES HORN, IT'S HARD TO MAKE IT MAKE A SOUND. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE CONSUMER WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. COULD NOT LET OTHER DRIVERS BE AWARE OF VEHICLE'S PRESENCE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK

• 12/14/2009· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,000.

• 12/14/2001· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHILE IN NEUTRAL, CAUSING A FRONT END COLLISION WITH GARAGE WALL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT OIL PAN WAS DENTED. ALSO, VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 12/13/2000· SEAT BELTS

  CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON ROAD AND CHILD WAS INSIDE CAR BUCKLED UP. SEATBELT HAD WRAPPED AROUND HER STOMACK,WAIST AND CHEST. EVERY MOVE SHE MADE SEATBELT WOULD GET TIGHTER AND RETRACT UP INTO VEHICLE AND CHOKE HER. *AK

• 12/08/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE BOTH VERY OBSCURED BY DETERIORATED MATERIAL..THIS LOWERS THE LIGHT TRANSMISSION SUBSTANTIALLY CAUSING A VERY UNSAFE NIGHT DRIVING CONDITION.. THERE IS NO MECHANICAL DAMAGE TO THE LENSES ONLY DETERIORATION. *TR

• 12/05/2005· AIR BAGS

  I JUST WANT TO COMPLAIN THAT I FEEL FORD MOTOR CO. SHOULD OFFER A SUBSIDIE FOR OWNERS OF 1999 FORD ESCORT ZX 2 AUTOMOBILES FOR THE ADDITION OF DISENGAGMENT SWITCHES FOR THEIR FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEVICES. I AM AWARE THAT NEWER MODELS COME EQUIPPED WITH THIS FEATURE. I WAS ADVISED BY FORD MOTOR CO. THAT THEY ACTUALLY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO MAKE THIS ADDITION TO THEIR CARS FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICEPERSON THAT IN THE TEN YEARS "HE OR ANYONE WORKING THERE" HAD NEVER PERFORMED A "SWITCH ADDITION" I ASKED HIM IF IT WOULD BE EXPENSIVE AND HE SAID PROBABLY YES AND THAT HE WOULD CALL FORD AND SEE EXACTLY WHAT COULD BE DONE. HE SAID HE WOULD CALL ME BACK. HE HAS NEVER CALLED BACK. I HAVE THREE KIDS AND THERE IS ONLY TWO SEATBELTS IN THE BACK. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO LET MY ELEVEN YEAR OLD RIDE IN THE FRONT, BUT I AM AFRAID OF THE AIRBAG. NOW THAT IT IS STANDARD(SWITCHES) ON THE 2001 AND NEWER CARS I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE SOME COST SHARED BY FORD MOTOR CO. IN PERFORMING THIS UPGRADE. I FEEL IT SHOULD BE A "RECALL" FOR THIS ADDITION. *NM

• 12/05/2000· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT 65 MPH, BOTH HOOD LATCH AND SAFETY LATCH FAILED ALLOWING HOOD TO OPEN AND WRAP OVER THE TOP OF THE CAR. *AK

• 12/03/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, HE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 01-10-08. *KB UPDATED 12/31/07

• 12/02/2003· STEERING

  DURING A STATE INSPECTION, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE STATE OFFICER THAT THE FRONT END DRIVER/PASSENGER SIDE TIE RODS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE UPPER LEFT FRONT TIE RODS WERE DEFECTIVE IN 2002 AND 2003. THE CONSUMERS CONCERN IS THAT THE LOWER RIGHT AND LEFT TIE ROD MAY GO SOON. *SCC *JB

• 11/30/2006· SUSPENSION

  DURING SAFETY INSPECTION DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SPRINGS OF 1999 FORD ESCORT SE HAD BROKEN. THIS IS THE SECOND FORD ESCORT I HAVE OWNED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM. FIRST VEHICLE WAS A 1997 FORD ESCORT LX THAT I PURCHASED FROM A DEALER IN FT. COLLINS, CO. I HAVE OWNED THAT THE REAR SPRINGS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

• 11/30/2001· SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THERE IS A KNOCKING IN ENGINE, WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN, LOUDER THE KNOCKING GETS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM WAS UNDERNEATH HOOD WHERE THE BEARINGS WERE. ALSO, DEAL HAS BEEN CONTACTED FOR A REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE BLOCK/ HEAD AND CYCLINDER, BUT THAT STILL HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 11/28/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL AND A FUEL INJECTION CLEANER, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH, AND VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT TO NO AVAIL. *AK

• 11/27/2001· STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCrash

  A GRINDING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA OF THE VEHICLE, THEN WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 MPH, GRINDING NOISE OCCURRED AGAIN, AND DRIVER LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL OF VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED VEHICLE AS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK

• 11/26/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE VEHICLES HORN STOPPED BLOWING. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE HORN IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND OTHER DRIVERS NEED TO BE MADE AWARE. TS THE REPAIR F THE HORN WOULD REQUIRE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAG. SCC

• 11/23/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  VIBRATION OCCURRED AT IDLE WHILE STOPPED AT RED LIGHTOR STOP SIGN WITH TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE GEAR. VIBRATION IS FELT IN DRIVER'S SEAT/STEERING WHEEL AND FLOORBOARD. VIBRATION APPEARS TO BE CAUSED BY ENGINE IDLE BEING TOO SLOW AND VIBRATING THROUGH DRIVER'S COMPARTMENT. ENGINE WA SCLOSE TO STALLING ONA COUPLE OF OCCASIONS. *AK

• 11/22/2000· AIR BAGSCrash

  AFTER BEING IN A CAR ACCIDENT AT 30 MPH IN RAIN, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING . THE CAR WAS TOTALED.*AK

• 11/22/1999· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT IT WAS NOT RAINING, THERE WERE TWO CARS IN FRONT. CONSUMER SAW ONE OF THE CARS SWERVE TO THE LEFT AND THE OTHER TO THE RIGHT AS THOUGH THEY WERE TRYING TO AVOID HITTING SOMETHING. THEN CONSUMER SAW A CAR STOP DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD NO WHERE ELSE TO TURN. THE CAR IN FRONT HAD A FLAT, NO HAZARD LIGHTS WERE ON. CONSUMER REAR ENDED THE OTHER VEHICLE AT ABOUT 50MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER FELT THAT IF AIRBAG HAD OF DEPLOYED CONSUMER'S HEAD WOULD NOT HAVE HIT THE WINDSHIELD. *AK

• 11/21/2003· EQUIPMENT

  AIR CONDITIONER BEGAN BLOWING HOT AIR JUNE 2002 TOOK IN FOR REPAIR AND RICART FORD CLAIMED IT WAS THE MODULE. THE PART WAS NOT COVERED ON THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN AND IT WAS OVER $500 TO REPAIR. DECLINED REPAIRS. THE FOLLOWING SPRING AIR CONDITIONER BEGAN WORKING ON ITS OWN APRIL 2003. JULY 2003 THE AIR CONDITIONER BEGAN BLOWING HOT AIR AND WOULD BLOW OUT COLD AIR IF IN THE SHADE OR TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS COOL. AT THIS TIME THE AIR CONDITIONER IS NOT FUNCTIONING. *LA

• 11/18/2003· SUSPENSION

  BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE AT SAME TIME. CAR HAD ONLY 37,000 MILES AND WAS 4 YEARS OLD. INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN FIXED AT LEAST 8 OTHER FORD ESCORTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

• 11/18/1999· SUSPENSION

  WHEN PULLING OFF THERE IS A KNOCKING AND RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK

• 11/17/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  BRAKES FAILURE AT INTERSECTION. PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE, AND CRASH OCCURRED. *AK

• 11/16/1999· SUSPENSION

  VERY BAD VIBRATION PROBLEM, BELIEVED TO BE FROM THE FRONT END, THE TIRES WERE BALANCED BY GOODYEAR AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RIMS WERE OUT OF ROUND. THIS CREATED A SAFETY HAZARD AT 45-55 MPH. THE FORD CHASSIS MOTORHOME HOTLINE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. MY ATTORNEY CURRENTLY HAS 4 CASES PENDING AGAINST FORD AND FLEETWOOD MOTORHOMES. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEITHER FORD OR FLEETWOOD WILL ADDRESS. MY MOTORHOME VIBRATED SO BAD THAT THE TAIL SECTION DROPPED 2 INCHES, CURLED THE LEAF SPRINGS BACKWARDS, CAUSED STRESS CRACKS, RATTLES AND DESTROYED THE REAR RING AND PINION GEARS.*AK

• 11/15/2003· SUSPENSION

  CAR METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED YET BOTH REAR SPRINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 60,000 MILES (CLOSE TO $300 REPAIR) DUE TO THEIR BOTH BEING FRACTURED ON THE BOTTOM-MOST LOOP. *LA

• 11/15/2000· SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT; WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF. ALSO, NOTICED SHIMMYING COMING FROM FRONT END. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 11/15/1999· SEAT BELTSCrash

  VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, AND NONE OF THE VEHICLES SEAT BELTS, FRONT OR REAR, HELD THE PASSENGERS. ALL 3 PASSENGERS WERE THROWN FORWARD. DEALER SAID THE OWNER WAS AT FAULT FOR SEATBELTS NOT WORKING. *AK

• 11/14/2007· POWER TRAIN

  I PURCHASED A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SEL 3 YEARS AGO AND HAVE HAD HELL WITH IT EVER SINCE. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY BEEN OWNED BY ONE OTHER PERSON AND HE HAD TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN IT RIGHT OVER 50,000 MILES. @ 130,000 MILES I TOO HAD TO PUT ANOTHER TRANSMISSION IN IT. NOW THE VAN HAS 160000 AND I AM AGAIN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I THINK THAT FORD HAS DONE A TERRIBLE JOB OF TAKING CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND THEY ARE LOOSING ME AS A CUSTOMER. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. *TR

• 11/09/2001· POWER TRAIN

  NOT ONLY WAS MY REBATE CHECK STOLEN BY SOMEONE WORKING AT THE DEALERSHIP BUT I HAVE COMPLAINED SO MANY TIMES SINCE PURCHASING MY CAR. I BELIEVE THAT I 'VE BEEN GIVEN THE RUN AROUND BECAUSE I'VE JUST PAST QUALIFYING FOR CALIFORNIA'S LEMON LAW. MY CAR IS UNSAFE IT ROLLS BACK ON HILLS AND NOW IT WON'T GO INTO PARK. I'VE HAD PROBLEMS SINCE BUYING THE CAR. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK

• 11/09/2000· AIR BAGSCrashFire

  VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION OF 25-20 MPH IMPACT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER DRIVER'S HEAD STRUCK STEERING WHEEL, AND CAUSED DRIVER'S CLOTHES TO CATCH ON FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER TO CONTACT NHTSA. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 11/08/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITYFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HEATER BLOWER FAILED AND SPARKS WERE SHOOTING FROM THE WIRING HARNESS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT THE HARNESS BEFORE A FIRE IGNITED. THE CONTACT LOCATED A MANUFACTURERS RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE WIRING OF THE DEFROSTER SYSTEM, IN WHICH HE BELIEVED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON HIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

• 11/08/2002· SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE DRIVING AND WITH OUT WARNING THE REAR SPRING SNAP CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED TS

• 11/07/2007· SEAT BELTS

  DURING THE USE OF THE BACK PASSENGER SEAT BELT, IT BECAME JAMMED AND WILL NOT COME OUT ENOUGH TO USE OR ROLL BACK UP TO TRY AND REUSE. *TR

• 11/05/1999· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH THE VEHICLE HAD A DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT AND DRIVER'S/PASSENGER AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. THE OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 11/04/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WE ARE HAVING A VIBRATION PROBLEM WITH OUR FORD ESCORT. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE WITH THE DESCRIPTION "IT'S IDLING ROUGH". THE SERVICE CENTER CAME BACK TO ME WITH A "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN" FROM FORD OUTLINING A PROCEDURE TO LIMIT VIBRATION. APPARENTLY, THE VIBRATION STEMS FROM INADEQUATE/IMPROPER ENGINE MOUNTS IN THIS MODEL ESCORT. THE SERVICE OUTLINED REQUIRES CHANGING THE TYPE OF PARTS USED IN MOUNTING THE ENGINE, AND THE TSB CONTAINS INSTRUCTIONS FOR MODIFICATIONS TO BE DONE BY THE REPAIR CENTER PRIOR TO INSTALLATION. FORD IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THIS SITUATION, AS THE TSB ALSO STATES THIS AFFECTS ESCORTS FROM 1997-2002, ESCORT ZX2 FROM 1998-2003, AND THE TRACER FROM 1997-1999. WE WERE TOLD THE REPAIR BILL TO FIX THIS WOULD BE $380.00! I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS DEFECT FIXED. I CONTACTED FORD, AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD "SORRY , WE'RE NOT GOING TO FIX THIS, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY." THE PROBLEM CAME TO MY ATTENTION BECAUSE EVERYTHIUNG IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT NOT SCREWED DOWN RATTLES LIKE A ONE-MAN-BAND. THIS HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE LAST YEAR, AND HAS BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO PROBLEMS IN THE ENGINE TUNING. THANKS TO A WELL-INFORMED SERVICE TECHNICIAN, I NOW KNOW THE REAL CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT LEFT UNCHECKED, THE VIBRATIONS COULD CAUSE MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE ON THE CAR, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME ACTION TAKEN TO SEE THAT FORD CORRECTS THIS DEFECTIVE PART ON MY CAR.*AK

• 11/04/2001· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  THE SMELL OF GAS FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IS SUBTLE WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. WHEN THE CAR IDLES THE FUMES INCREASE IN INTENSITY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE AND CLAIMED THEY DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY TESTED IT. *YD

• 10/31/2000· STRUCTURE

  THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE IS UNSOUND. THERE ARE BROKEN WELDS, DISTORTED SHEET METAL SUBFRAME COMPONANTS, AND SHIFTING OR FLEXING OF THE BODY THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. IT HAS SEVERE OVERSTEER AT SPEED WHEN CORNERING OVER ROADS WITH VARYING SURFACES. THE UNDERCARRAIGE WILL TWIST ALLOWING THE GAS TANK TO STRAIN AND LOOSEN AT ITS RETAINING STRAPS AND THE BRACKETS THEY ATTACH TO ARE PULLING LOOSE AT THEIR WELDS. THE WINDSHIED ANGLE CHANGES, THE ROOF BULGES AND BUCKLES, THE REAR DOORS DROP AND LIFT AS WELL AS THE REAR HATCH AREA AS THE CAR IS ACCELLERATED OR THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT THE BODY TWISTS. THERE IS A NOTICABLE PULL UNDER ACCELLERATION. ALSO THE INTERIOR SEATS SHIFT AND SWAY SEPERATE FROM THE EXTERIOR. *AK