1992 FORD ESCORT Recalls, Complaints & Safety

I have a very bad gas leak and have Always smelt fuel since I have owned the car, the front suspension is also affected and my rear lights are faulty

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD ESCORT. AFTER FILLING UP THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL, THE CONTACT DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE AND PARKED. ONE HOUR LATER, HE NOTICED A SMALL PUDDLE OF GASOLINE ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. HE STATED THAT THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL LINE OR FUEL TUBE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 92V117000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA92012 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED BECAUSE THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 131,000. UPDATED 11/03/09 *BF UPDATED 11/03/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD ESCORT. THE VEHICLE HAS BIG O PRESTIGE RADIAL MAX TIRES, SIZE 175/70/R13 (NA). THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SIDEWALLS ON THE FRONT TWO TIRES WERE CRACKING. BECAUSE THE TIRES EXCEEDED THE ONE YEAR WARRANTY, THE DEALER WOULD BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER HAS THE TIRES. THE DOT AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 12,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/10/08. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THERE WAS A SMELL OF FUEL IN THE CABIN. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A NHTSA RECALL #92V117000 PERTAINING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE ORIGINAL OWNER ALSO NOTICED THE SMELL OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE BUT CHOSE TO DRIVE IT AT LESS THAN A FULL TANK.

HEADLAMP LENS IS TURNING CLOUDY WITH AGE, REDUCING AMOUNT OF LIGHT ON ROAD.

MY PATIENT HAD GONE TO HIS DIALYSIS APPOINTMENT AND WHEN HE GOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND TURNED THE KEY IT WOULD NOT START. HE WAITED FOR A BIT AND TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT STARTED. AS HE WAS DRIVING HOME, THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. HE HAD SOME PEOPLE HELP PUSH IT AROUND THE CORNER AND CALLED ME TO GET IT TOWED TO HIS HOUSE. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE VEHICLE I TRIED IT AND IT SEEMED AS THOUGH IT HAD A DEAD BATTERY. I CALLED AAA TO COME GIVE ME A JUMP AND WAITED FOR AN HOUR. WHEN THEY AAA GOT THERE AND GOT OUT OF THEIR TRUCK, THEY GOT IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AND TURNED THE KEY AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP WITH NO JUMP. WE TOOK A LOOK AT THE IGNITION WHEN WE GOT HOME AND TURNED THE KEY AND IT WAS STICKING BUT IT TURNED ON. I WAS HAVING THE CAR BROUGHT INTO A SHOP TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND IT DIED AGAIN. WHEN TRIED TO RESTART THE PIN IN THE END OF THE IGNITION SNAPPED OFF AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED TO THE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION. OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 9 MONTHS THE IGNITION HAS STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR AT FIRST BUT AFTER IT WAS REPLACED FOUND OUT THAT IT WASN'T THAT. IT OVER CHARGES THE BATTERY AND HAS SERIOUS POWER SURGES AND THEN JUST DIES LIKE NOTHING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS AND NOW IT JUST WONT START AT ALL. I KNOW IT ISN'T THE BATTERY, STARTER OR ALTERNATOR. I BELIEVE IT TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE STARTED DOESN'T ENGAGE WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY BUT ALL THE POWER COMES ON. *JB

GASOLINE LEAKS FROM TOP OF GAS TANK WHEN FILLED. THERE IS A RECALL (NHTSA# 92V-117, FORD # 92S54 ) I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY HAD NO RECORD OF RECALL, AND TOLD ME IT WAS TO OLD TO CHECK. I THEN CALLED FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT, AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL HAD BEEN CLOSED. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 92V117000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. *AK

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION OR WHILE IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE. *JB

THE ATOMATIC SEATBELT IS NOT RUNNING IN IT'S TRACK CONTINUOUSLY. IT HAS DECIDED TO WORK WHEN AND IF IT FEELS LIKE IT. THE PAINT STARTED PEELING ON THE TOP OF THE TRUNK IN 1998 OR 99 APPROXIMATELY, I HAVE NEVER HAD THE MONEY TO GET THE PAINT FIXED. I DID HOWEVER GET THE SIDE PAINTED WHEN I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN 1993. THAT PAINT HAS BUBBLED. I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT IT COST ME, I THINK JUST MY INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE AT THAT TIME.

RECALL 92V117000 CONCERNING FUEL PUMP FAILURE. ANYTIME THE CONSUMER GETS INTO THE VEHICLE THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. CONSUMER IS NOT SURE IF HER VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD STARTED SMOKING. THE DRIVER PULLED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED A GARAGE. *AK *NM

ELECTRICAL FAILURE; DRIVER'S SIDE LAP BELT; DASH LIGHTS(SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE HEAT TEMP & REVOLOTION GUAGE), RADIO LIGHTS, DRIVER'S DOOR BUZZER/ OVERHEAD LIGHT; A/C,/ HEATER FAN INTERMITTENT. IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, X2, BOTH BRAKE LIGHT BULBS REPLACED: COURTESY LIGHT IN TRUNK NEEDS REPLACED. HAS NEVER BEEN TO GARAGE, TO BE REPAIRED, FOR ANY ABOVE ELECTRICAL.EXCEPTION, IGNITION REPLACED BY GARAGE X1.*AK

MY ESCORT STALLS WHILE DRIVING, TURNING RIGHT, ETC. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY PUT MY ESCORT ON THE COMPUTER AND INFORMED ME THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR NEEDED REPLACING. I DID THIS BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM!!!!!!!!! I NEED HELP. *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*734315

AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE A SHORT DISTANCE THERE WAS THE SMELL OF ELECTRICAL WIRE BURNING AND SOON AFTER, SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE DEFROSTER VENTS. VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND SMOKING QUIT. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS NOTED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD BURNT UP BEYOND REPAIR.*JB

Fire

THE CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE TANK. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED A HOLE IN THE TANK. THE TANK HAD LEAKED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE V.I.N. WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RELATED RECALL 92V117000. TS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, A SUSPENSION BAR WAS NEEDED, AND WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED TO KEEP THE FUEL AT HALF FULL. SCC

THE ENGINE HAD CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING. ALSO THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AT TIMES. THE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. *YH THE SEAT BELTS HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, THE REAR DISC BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE CABLE IS WORKING, BUT NOT NOT APPLYING PRESSURE, AND THE V/C IS LEAKING. (V/C PER INVOICE) THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE PROBLEM, SEEM TO BE COMING FROM THE IGNITION. *SCC

THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY WHILE DRIVING. *YH

THE REAR DISC BRAKE WOULD NOT HOLD WHEN PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED. *YH

THE ENGINE HAD CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING. ALSO THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AT TIMES. THE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. *YH THE SEAT BELTS HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, THE REAR DISC BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE CABLE IS WORKING, BUT NOT NOT APPLYING PRESSURE, AND THE V/C IS LEAKING. (V/C PER INVOICE) THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE PROBLEM, SEEM TO BE COMING FROM THE IGNITION. *SCC

WHILE TRAVELLING ON THE HIGHWAY THERE ARE FUEL VAPORS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *MR

MY ESCORT STALLS WHILE DRIVING, TURNING RIGHT, ETC. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY PUT MY ESCORT ON THE COMPUTER, AND INFORMED ME THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR MEEDED REPLACED. I DID THIS BUT, IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I NEED HELP!!!*AK

THERE WAS A RECALL ON ELECTRICAL HARNESS IN FUEL SYSTEM, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN RECALL; HOWEVER, HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. HAS CONTACTED FORD, MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE VEHICLE DID NOT APPLY WITH RECALL THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE.*AK

FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK, THE CONSUMER CAN SMELL FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE CONSUMER NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL ON THE GROUND WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE REAR TANK IS FULL, THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. NLM THERE IS A RECALL 92V117000 TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT. CONSUMER REPLACED 4/7/1994. *TT

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE IT WILL CUT OFF. ONCE EXITING A RAMP VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY HAVE REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH 4 TIMES.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE HAD LOSS OF POWER IN THE MORNING THREE TIMES. *YD

WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR VEHICLE ACCELERATES VERY HIGH, MORE THAN NORMAL. IF TAPPING ACCELERATER IT WILL GO BACK DOWN TO NORMAL OR CUT OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

CRACKS IN JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN AND FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT. LEAKS GAS. POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD.*AK

THERE IS A FUEL ODOR INSIDE PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. ALSO, RECALL 92V117000 WAS ISSUED FOR SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK UP. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS NO LONGER RETRACT. *AK *SLC

10/24/95 @ 22,823 MILES MACHINED ROTORS AND REPLACED PADS; 4/9/96 @ 25,506 MILES REPLACED ROTORS AND ANTI-RATTLE CLIPS; 3/31/00 @ 47,523 MILES MACHINED ROTORS AND REPLACED PADS; 11/7/00 @ 51,917 MILES REQUIRED MACHINE ROTORS AND REPLACE PADS FOR FOURTH TIME ON THIS LOW MILEAGE CAR. FRONT DISC BRAKES ARE STILL MAKING POPPING/CLICKING NOISE WHEN BRAKING. *AK

REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKES AROUND THE CAR, STILL DOESN'T WANT TO STOP. *AK

FOUR TIRES DEVELOPED BUBBLES. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 65-70 MPH TIRE ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE HAD A BLOW OUT. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. REPLACEMENT TIRE EQUIPMENT ON A 1992, ESCORT. GOODYEAR MONACRCH METRIC BLACK. TIRE SIZE P17570R13, DOT # C2FHHNLP407. TIRE MILEAGE ABOUT 1100. *AK *SLC

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT HAS FAILED, CAUSING A LOSS OF PROTECTION . DEALER CLAIMED CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

WHY DOES THE TRANSMISSION GOES OUT WITHOUT A WARNING OR SIGNAL?*AK