1986 FORD ESCORT

2 recalls — 50 complaints

89V170000 Oct 13, 1989
SEATS
THE FORWARD OUTBOARD PEDESTAL OF THE SEAT TRACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURE.
Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT ON ALL MODELS AND A NEW SEAT TRACK AS NECESSARY
1,375,500 vehicles affected
87V139000 Sep 4, 1987
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
3,600,000 vehicles affected
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Aug 4, 2008
I AM WRITING YOU TODAY ABOUT A SITUATION THAT OCCURRED JULY 3RD 1986 IN MORTON GROVE ILLINOIS AT 11:52P.M. I AM THE MOTHER OF A 2 YEAR OLD THAT WAS BURNED TO DEATH IN A 1986 FORD ESCORT THAT WAS NOT ON IN THE PARKING LOT OF A GROCERY STORE. YES IT HAS BEEN OVER 20 YEARS, BUT DURING THE COURSE OF THIS TIME I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ANYONE TO LISTEN TO MY STORY. WELL, THIS PARTICULAR CAR WAS A RENTAL FROM BUDGET RENTAL IN GLENVIEW ILLINOIS AND WE WERE ON A FAMILY OUTING. ALL WAS WELL AND THEN WE STOPPED OFF TO GET SOME FIRE WORKS. I COULD ONLY AFFORD SMOKE BOMBS AND SPARKLES. NEEDLESS TO SAY WHEN THIS HORRIFIC EVENT OCCURRED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE REASON THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THAT IS NOT TRUE. YOU CAN'T START A FIREWORK WITHOUT A LIGHTER. THE RENTAL CAR DID NOT HAVE A CIGARETTE LIGHTER OR THERE WERE NO MATCHES. I FOUND A NEWS ARTICLE DATE IN THE VIRGINIAN PILOT, APRIL 18, 1996, TEN YEARS LATER STATING THAT THERE WAS AN IGNITION PROBLEM IN CARS DATED AS FAR BACK AS 1984. PLEASE FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO LIVE WITH THIS MINI MOVIE PLAYING IN MY HEAD OVER AND OVER AGAIN WITH NO RESOLUTION. THIS IS NOT ABOUT MONEY OR FAME. MY CHILD DIED BEFORE HE COULD SEE WHAT LIFE IS LIKE WITH HIS FAMILY. HERE IS A COPY OF THE ARTICLE. I NEED HELP. THIS INCIDENT HAS CRUSHED MY FAMILY. MY OLDEST SON AND I HAD TO WITNESS THIS UNABLE TO HELP MY BABY. YOU WONDER WHY IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO WRITE THIS LETTER, IT IS VERY HARD FOR ME TO DO THIS NOW. I NEED CLOSURE. EVERY YEAR ON THIS DATE, I SIT AT HIS GRAVE SITE AND WONDER WHAT WENT WRONG. I RENT CARS ALL THE TIME AND I AM IN FEAR OF ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. BUT IT WAS STATED THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN FACT OF A PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH ACKNOWLEDGED 10 YEARS LATER, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. YOUR COMPANY HAS IMPROVED DURING TRIAL AND ERROR, HOWEVER, DID MY SON HAVE TO DIE DURING THE ERROR PART. *TR
Fire 1 deaths
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM Apr 23, 2004
CONSUMER BECAME ILL FROM THE FUMES THAT EMITTED FROM THE HEATER/AC SYSTEM. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THE HEATER/RADIATOR SYSTEM HOWEVER THE CONSUMER REMAINED ILL. *NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE Apr 30, 2003
SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS WHILE DRIVING WITH THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE IN THE NORMAL RANGE ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING AT BETWEEN 70-75 MPH THE ENGINE STALLS AND WILL NOT RESTART. WHEN PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD AND REMOVING THE TIMING PLUG AND ALLOWING THE IGNITION MODULE TO COOL FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES THE ENGINE RESTARTS. THE ENGINE WILL NOT RESTART WITHOUT REMOVING THE TIMING PLUG. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE AND THE IGNITION MODULE PICKUP WITH ORIGINAL FACTORY REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN RESURFACES AFTER ABOUT A FEW WEEKS AFTER REPLACEMENT. A CALIFORNIA JUDGE HAS ORDERED A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM HOWEVER FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOT COMPLY UNLESS THE NHTSA ORDERS THEM TO DO SO. I WILL CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE PARTS AS TO NOT ENDANGER MYSELF OR OTHERS ON THE FREEWAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *AK *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*734328
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Jul 22, 2002
SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS WHILE DRIVING WITH THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE IN THE NORMAL RANGE ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING AT BETWEEN 70-75 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLS AND WILL NOT RESTART. WHEN PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD AND REMOVING THE TIMING PLUG AND ALLOWING THE IGNITION MODULE TO COOL FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES THE ENGINE RESTARTS. THE ENGINE WILL NOT RESTART WITHOUT REMOVING THE TIMING PLUG. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE AND THE IGNITION MODULE PICKUP WITH ORIGINAL FACTORY REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN RESURFACES AFTER ABOUT A FEW WEEKS AFTER REPLACEMENT. A CALIFORNA JUDGE HAS ORDERED A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM HOWEVER FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOT COMPLY UNLESS THE NHTSA ORDERS THEM TO DO SO. I WILL CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE PARTS AS TO NOT ENDANGER MYSELF OR OTHERS ON THE FREEWAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Jun 4, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING. CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO GET IT STARTED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Aug 17, 2001
WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED THAT ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD FLASH ON AND STAY ON THROUGH OUT TRAVEL .DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, TECHNICIAN CUT INDICATION LIGHT OFF 4 TIME WITH COST TO CUSTOMER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Oct 25, 2000
NO SUMMARY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Oct 25, 2000
SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS WHILE DRIVING WITH THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE IN THE NORMAL RANGE ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING AT BETWEEN 70-75 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLS AND WILL NOT RESTART. WHEN PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD AND REMOVING THE TIMING PLUG AND ALLOWING THE IGNITION MODULE TO COOL FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES THE ENGINE RESTARTS. THE ENGINE WILL NOT RESTART WITHOUT REMOVING THE TIMING PLUG. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE AND THE IGNITION MODULE PICKUP WITH ORIGINAL FACTORY REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN RESURFACES AFTER ABOUT A FEW WEEKS AFTER REPLACEMENT. A CALIFORNA JUDGE HAS ORDERED A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM HOWEVER FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOT COMPLY UNLESS THE NHTSA ORDERS THEM TO DO SO. I WILL CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE PARTS AS TO NOT ENDANGER MYSELF OR OTHERS ON THE FREEWAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Oct 24, 2000
IGNITION MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN 3 YEARS, CAR WAS STALLING AT LOW SPEED. THE SAME PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE RETURNING.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Oct 11, 2000
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL STALL AND CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER NOTED THAT IGNITION WENT BAD WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL . IGNITION WAS REPLACED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.*AK
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS Jul 26, 1999
THE ENTIRE FRAME HAS PREMATURLEY RUSTED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Oct 21, 1998
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK, AND VEHICLE WENT DOWNHILL. FRONTAL IMPACT, ONE INJURY TO DRIVER. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED, NO RECALL LISTED. *AK
Crash 1 injured
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS Oct 5, 1998
QUARTER PANEL OVER REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAS WEAKENED TIRE IS BENT IN SLIGHTLY FROM HOLE DEVELOPED RIGHT NEXT TO SHOCK WITHIN INCHES.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS Dec 18, 1997
LEFT REAR UNIBODY IS RUSTED THROUGH AND IS NOTHING IS HOLDING THE LEFT REAR WHEEL ON VEHICLE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM Dec 31, 1996
CARBURETOR FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Oct 10, 1996
ENGINE FIRE.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Sep 23, 1996
PLASTIC GOVERNOR IN TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. (FIRST VEHICLE ON 601574)
STRUCTURE:BODY Sep 12, 1996
RUST DEVELOPED IN SUSPENSION OFF THE WELL, CAUSING TIRE TO FALL OFF.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jun 24, 1996
ALUMINUM HEADS OVERHEATED/CRACKED, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK ONTO HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, WHICH STARTED ENGINE FIRE. *DH
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Jun 10, 1996
WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM VENTS, THEN SUDDENLY VEHICLE INTERIOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH May 24, 1996
DRIVEN ON FRWY, PARKED IN PARKING LOT, TOOK VEHICLE OFF PARKING LOT, ABOUT 1/4 MILE LATER SAW FLAMES COMING FROM HOOD, FIRE DEPT ARRIVED & PUT FLAMES OUT. *AK
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH May 13, 1996
VEHICLE WAS PARKED, TURNED IGNITION ON AND VEHICLE COMPLETELY BURNED, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH May 10, 1996
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR THREE MINUTES AND THEN IT WENT UP IN FLAMES. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Fire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL May 6, 1996
TURN SIGNALS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING, NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES YET. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM May 2, 1996
AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEMS DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHICH RESULTED IN FIRE. *DSH
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH May 2, 1996
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, PREVENTING STARTER FROM ENGAGING. *DSH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Apr 30, 1996
WAS DRIVING TO A MEETING, PARKED HIS VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT, WENT TO MEETING, RETURNED, SAW FIRE DEPT., SAW VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Apr 30, 1996
WAS DRIVING TO A MEETING, PARKED HIS VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT, WENT TO MEETING, RETURNED, SAW FIRE DEPT., SAW VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Apr 26, 1996
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD Apr 24, 1996
WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE UNDER HOOD, PARKED VEHICLE, MOMENTS LATER FOUND VEHICLE FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Apr 22, 1996
EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FIRE IN DASH AND UNDERHOOD. PLEASE GIVE DETAILS. *AK
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Apr 19, 1996
ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING Apr 17, 1996
ELECTRICAL SHORT OR CHOCK CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Fire
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Mar 27, 1996
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER DURING AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Crash 2 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Mar 27, 1996
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER DURING AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Crash 2 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH Mar 19, 1996
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE DASHBOARD AND CAR WAS ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Feb 28, 1996
OWNER ENTERED HOME W/CHILD STILL IN REAR OF VEHICLE. NEIGHBOR CAME ABRUPTLY TO INFORM OWNER VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Feb 28, 1996
OWNER ENTERED HOME W/CHILD STILL IN REAR OF VEHICLE. NEIGHBOR CAME ABRUPTLY TO INFORM OWNER VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Fire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS Feb 22, 1996
HEADLIGHTS ARE PLASTIC AND DETERIORATED TO SUCH A CLOUDY CONDITION THAT VERY LITTLE LIGHT REACHES THE HIGHWAY. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Feb 13, 1996
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ENGINE STARTED IT SMOKED AND CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE CAR WAS TOTALED . TT
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Feb 8, 1996
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH SAW SMOKE IN VEHICLE GOT OUT TO TAKE A LOOK AND ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. CAR WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETIALS. TT
Fire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Dec 13, 1995
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING CAR ACCELERATES WITHOUT PUTTING FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR . TT
SUSPENSION Jul 25, 1995
REAR STRUT TOWERS RUSTED OUT; COULD CAUSE TIRES TO FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING. TT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD Jul 21, 1995
WIRING HARNESS FAILED, CAUSING FIRE. *SKD
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION May 8, 1995
WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR COMING TO STOP, ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS Apr 20, 1995
BRAKE FLUID LEAKS WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
STEERING:LINKAGES Feb 7, 1995
FRAME BROKEN IN TWO PLACES, DEFECTIVE TIE RODS, ETC. PLEASE EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL. TT
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS Feb 7, 1995
FRAME BROKEN IN TWO PLACES, DEFECTIVE TIE RODS, ETC. PLEASE EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL. TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jan 23, 1995
HEAD GASKET BOLT SNAPPED OFF WHILE ASSEMBLES. TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jan 23, 1995
O1L PUMP MAKES LOUD GRINDING NOISE. TT