2001 Ford Escort

68 complaints on file, page 1 of 4.

1. Filed Mar 4, 2014Failure Mar 3, 2014180,000 milesSAN Diego, CATires

   I PURCHASED ALL FOUR MICHELINS ABOUT A YEAR AGO. SINCE THEN I HAD TWO BLOWOUTS ON THE REAR DRIVE-SIDE TIRE AND ONE ON THE FRONT DRIVER-SIDE TIRE. ALL THREE BLEW OUT ON THE SIDEWALLS, TWO OF WHICH WERE ON THE INNER SIDE SIDEWALL AND ONE ON THE OUTER SIDE SIDEWALL. THERE WERE NO NAILS, GLASS, OR OTHER DEBRIS RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE BLOWOUTS. THE FIRST ONE NOT ONLY LEFT A GAPPING HOLE ON THE INNER SIDE SIDEWALL, BUT IT GOT SO HOT IT ALSO BLEW OUT THE TIRE STEM AND WAS SMOKING FOR A GOOD HOUR AFTERWARDS. THEY REPLACED THAT TIRE WITH A BRAND NEW MICHELIN OF THE SAME TYPE. THEN THE SECOND BLEW OUT HAPPENED ON THAT NEW TIRE SEVERAL MONTHS LATER ALSO LEAVING A GAPPING HOLE ON THE INNER SIDE SIDEWALL AND IT WAS SO HOT THE GUYS COULDN'T EVEN TOUCH IT TO FIX IT UNTIL THEY DOUSED IT WITH WATER. THEY REPLACED IT WITH A BRAND NEW MICHELIN AS WELL. THEN SEVERAL MONTHS LATER (TODAY) THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW SIMILARLY. I DID NOT CRASH AND THERE WAS NO FIRE, HOWEVER THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE AND THESE INSTANCES COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN A LOT WORSE SINCE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY EACH TIME, BUT I'M LUCKY THEY WERE NOT. I DEFINITELY FEEL WE ARE DEALING WITH SOME DEFECTIVE TIRES HERE. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10566917
2. Filed Jan 21, 2013Failure Jan 20, 201313,400 milesHarrisonville, MOElectrical system

   I WAS AT THE STORE WITH MY SON (12 YEARS OLD) AND MY GRANDSON (3 YEARS OLD), WHEN WE WENT TO LEAVE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP. IT WAS VERY COLD OUTSIDE, AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR I GOT AHOLD OF SOMEONE TO COME PICK US UP. WHEN I GOT HOME I DID SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND NO RECALL? NO CAR, CAN'T PICK MY DAUGHTER UP AT HER FRIEND'S HOUSE (SHE IS STRANDED), CAN'T TAKE MY GRANDSON HOME AND HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO WORK TOMORROW. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE LEAVING PEOPLE STRANDED WITHOUT WARNING. ESPECIALLY IF THERE ARE HEALTH ISSUES OR CHILDREN INVOLVED. MY DAD IS 73 AND LOVES FORD, HE WAS SURPRISED AND DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THIS ALSO. WHAT IS FORD THINKING?.. GREED AND MONEY. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10493631
3. Filed Nov 28, 2011Failure Nov 14, 201175,000 milesLAS Vegas, NVAutomatic transmission, Rear/other, Service brakes, Abs warning light

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFT ANTI- LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED OCTOBER 24, 2003 WHEN THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFTER AND THE CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK PROPERLY AND THAT THE SHOULDER STRAP WOULD NOT BUCKLE PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE ABS LIGHT WOULD RANDOMLY ILLUMINATE. UPDATED 12/15/11 UPDATED 12/28/11*LJ THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT WAS TWISTED, WHICH MADE IT INOPERABLE, THE BRAKE SHIFT INTER-LOCK MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE FROM PARK TO DRIVE. UPDATED 03.12.12

   NHTSA complaint 10437580
4. Filed Nov 28, 2011Failure Oct 24, 200335,000 milesLAS Vegas, NVPower train, Seat belts

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 10437578
5. Filed Mar 29, 2010Failure Mar 29, 2010Warrenton, MOEngine

   I HAVE A 2001 FORD ESCORT ZX2. IVE HAD IT A LITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW. THIS REOCCURRING PROBLEM IS GETTING VERY FRUSTRATING. WHEN I START MY CAR IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS GETTING READY TO DIE. IT JUST STRUGGLES AT VERY LOW RPM. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A WAY TO ADJUST THE IDLE BUT IS THERE A FIX? *CN

   NHTSA complaint 10322750
6. Filed Jan 14, 2010Failure Jan 11, 201060,000 milesCovington, KYRack and pinion

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN 2006 THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 02/02/10 *BF UPDATED 02/05/10.*JB

   NHTSA complaint 10299709
7. Filed Nov 5, 2009Failure Jul 10, 200959,000 milesCovington, KYGas recirculation valve (egr valve), Coil springs

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCORT PURCHASED APRIL 2002. THE REAR COIL SPRINGS, STRUTS, AND EGR VALVE WERE PLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF $870.00. AFTER THE REPAIR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS, AND STRUTS FAILED, THEY THEN ADDED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS COMMON FOR HER MODEL TYPE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 59,000. UPDATED 11/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 11/24/09

   NHTSA complaint 10291068
8. Filed Aug 14, 2009Failure Aug 10, 2009162,353 milesGardena, CAAir bags, FrontalCrash

   I WAS IN A ACCIDENT ON THE 105FWY WEST, GOING BETWEEN 15-25 MPH IN MODERATE MORNING TRAFFIC. I HIT THE BACK OF A CAR, SLAMMED MY FACE AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL, AND SEVERELY DAMAGED MY FRONT HOOD, BUMPER AND ENGINE, WHICH HAS BEEN TOTALED OUT! MY AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY! ITS A 2001 FORD ESCORT, NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT, AND I HAVE NECK, BACK, AND SEVERE JAW PAIN. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10280479
9. Filed Jul 15, 2008Failure Jun 24, 200869,000 milesIndependence, MOElectrical system, VisibilityFire

   I CURRENTLY OWN 2 (TWO) 2001 FORD ESCORT SE. BOTH HAVE THE SAME ELECTRICAL FIRE HAZARD AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR CONNECTOR, BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AS WELL AS THE WIRING HARNESSES AND CONNECTOR, THE CONNECTORS MELTED AND WIRING BURNT UP. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10234345
10. Filed Jun 23, 2008Failure May 11, 2008115,000 milesBridgefield, PAService brakes, Pedals and linkages, Vehicle speed controlCrash

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCORT. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE DRAMATICALLY SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE COIL SPRING IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, ALONG WITH OTHER COSMETIC REPAIRS. ONE MONTH LATER, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING SPACE, IT SURGED FORWARD AGAIN AND CRASHED INTO A PIPE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGE. AN INVESTIGATOR FROM HER INSURANCE COMPANY IS IN THE PROCESS OF INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10231999
11. Filed Mar 13, 2008Failure Mar 10, 2008Fitchburg, WICoil springs

    DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, MY MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE REAR SPRING COILS ON MY 2001 FORD ESCORT (59,000 MILES) WERE NOTICEABLY WORN DOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY, AS TO NOT PUNCTURE MY TIRES. HE SAID THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN ESCORTS AND TAURUS AND THAT TIRES CAN BE PUNCTURED BY THESE REAR COIL SPRINGS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. I HAD THE REAR SPRINGS REPLACED, WHICH IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10221015
12. Filed Oct 18, 2007Failure Oct 16, 2007South Rockwood, MIAutomatic transmission

    WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, CAR SOMETIMES IS IN NEUTRAL INSTEAD. THEN MUST GO BACK TO PARK AND TO DRIVE AGAIN. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10206196
13. Filed Aug 27, 2006Failure Jan 6, 200659,000 milesMilford, IAAutomatic transmission

    WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, CAR SOMETIMES IS IN NEUTRAL INSTEAD. THEN MUST GO BACK TO PARK AND TO DRIVE AGAIN. FLUSHED TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED FLUID AND THIS HAS CUT DOWN ON OCCURRENCES. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10166681
14. Filed Aug 25, 2006Failure May 15, 2006Painted Post, NYElectrical system

    ON SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX MY VEHICLE I STILL HAVEN'T FOUND THE TROUBLE UNTIL I SAW THE RECALL LIST, I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH MY SHIFTER, AIR FLOW DEVICE FOR IDLE, TO MY BACK LIGHT ON THE TOP SHORTING OUT, TO STALL WITH ENGINE LIGHT ON AND NOT BE ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM, I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY ON THESE PROBLEMS AND WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT PARTS GOING WRONG ON MY CAR, I HAVE A ESCORT 2001 ZX2. NOW IT MAKE A WEIRD SOUND WHEN DRIVING SLOW! I HAVE PUT NEW BRAKES ON IT AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10166583
15. Filed May 20, 2006Failure May 19, 200637,000 milesSaint Helena, CAFrontalCrash2 injured

    FRONT END COLLISION TOTALING FORD ESCORT ZX2 WITHOUT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10157916
16. Filed Nov 18, 2005Failure Nov 9, 200558,000 milesTexarkana, ARCruise controlFire

    DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR OVER TWO HOURS. HE SMELLED SMOKE AND CHECKED IN THE GARAGE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD IN FRONT OF THE STEERING COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE AND THE CONTACT'S HOUSE. THE PRELIMINARY REPORT INDICATED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. REPORTS WERE TAKEN BY THE POLICE, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 10143102
17. Filed Nov 16, 2005Failure Nov 14, 2005107,000 milesColumbia, MOSensor/control moduleCrash

    I WAS INVOLVED IN A VERY MINOR ACCIDENT WITH ONLY PAINT DAMAGE TO MY FRONT BUMPER. THE OTHER VEHICLE ALSO HAD ONLY PAINT DAMAGE. I WAS STOPPED AND THE OTHER VEHICLE SCRAPED MINE AT A SPEED OF MAYBE 25 MPH. MY AIRBAGS DEPOYED AND CAUSED MORE DAMAGE THAN THE ACCIDENT ITSELF. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10142847
18. Filed Oct 5, 2005Failure Mar 16, 2004Murray Hill, NJFan

    MY CAR SHAKES, RATTLES AND ROLLS - THINKS IT'S ELVIS. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10138611
19. Filed May 31, 2005Failure Oct 20, 200419,000 milesLubbock, TXFuel system, Fuel pump

    AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF A FUEL PUMP PROBLEM. *AK *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10116947
20. Filed Apr 25, 2005Failure Apr 25, 200535,338 milesRaymond, WAFuel system, Fuel pump

    2001 FORD ESCORT 4-DOOR 477-LXX. I HAD STARTED UP MY CAR AND BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN MY CAR REFUSED TO RUN. I TRIED TURNING IT OVER SEVERAL TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. SO I CONTACTED A MECHANIC, WHO TOWED THE CAR IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. HE CALLED ME TODAY WITH THE FOLLOWING: THERE WAS DEFECTIVE WIRING ON FUEL PUMP HOUSING OF MY CAR. THE FUEL PUMP WAS FROM THE FACTORY ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC. ONE SET OF 4 TERMINALS ON THE PUMP WERE ANGLED BACK PROPERLY, BUT THE OTHER SET OF 4 WERE STRAIGHT SO THAT THE TERMINALS WERE ALMOST TOUCHING. THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE TERMINALS ON THE TWO CENTER TERMINALS OF THE STRAIGHT SET WERE FUSED UPON INSPECTION. HAD SHORTED OUT THE FUEL PUMP. THE INSULATION WAS BURNED OFF, AND THE MECHANIC ASSUMED THAT THE TWO POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE TERMINALS PROBABLY HAD BEEN ARCING ABOVE THE GAS TANK EACH TIME THE CAR STARTED SINCE IT LEFT THE FACTORY, SINCE THE FUEL PUMP HAD BEEN BASICALLY UNTOUCHED. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE CAUSED A VIOLENT EXPLOSION OF GAS IN THE FUEL TANK, AND KILLED BOTH ME AND MY MOTHER, AND POSSIBLY BURNED OUR HOUSE DOWN. THIS PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED BY THE MECHANIC BY BENDING THE TERMINALS BACK TO THEIR PROPER POSITION. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 10118445