1994 FORD ESCORT Recalls, Complaints & Safety

AUTOMATIC SEATBELT IS JAMMED AND SEATBELT NO LONGER WORKS

1994 FORD ESCORT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSIVE RESTRAINT SHOULDER BELT NOT WORKING FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STOP AT MID-TRACK AND BOUNCING THE DOOR AGAINST THE HINGE WOULD GET IT TO MOVE. TWO WEEKS AGO, IT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACK. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE COULD HEAR THE MOTOR TRYING TO MAKE IT MOVE. SHE LEFT IT ALONE AND ABOUT FOUR DAYS LATER, IT RESUMED OPERATING. A WEEK LATER, IT FROZE AGAIN, A LITTLE MORE FORWARD IN THE TRACK THAN PREVIOUSLY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V218000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,404.

DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT REMAINS OPERATIVE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REMEDY THIS FAULT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO DIM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. AS OF JUNE 18, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, POWERTRAIN, AND # OF CYLINDERS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94,000.

1994 FORD ESCORT CUSTOMER WANTS INFO ABOUT ENGINE CATCHING FIRE**CC *JB

Fire

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD ESCORT. THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT IS JAMMED. THE CONTACT'S SEATBELT IS MOTORIZED AND WHEN YOU CLOSE THE DOOR IT RETRACTS HALF WAY AND IS STUCK, IT WONT MOVE LEFT OR RIGHT. SEATBELT WILL NOT SECURE HIM IN PLACE. YESTERDAY IS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME OF THIS INCIDENT.

HEADLIGHT COVER CLOUDED FROM AGE. DRIVERS CAN'T SEE WELL AT NIGHT. I'VE NOTICED THAT ALL ESCORTS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO NOTICED A RECALL ON REPLACEMENT LIGHTING THAT LEADS TO SUGGEST THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT COVERS. WHY ISN'T MANUFACTURE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS? ESPECIALLY SAFETY PARTS. PREVIOUS OWNER HIT SOMETHING SLIGHTLY. I BELIEVE THIS IS DUE TO LACK OF ADEQUATE LIGHTING. *NM

Fire 1 injured

I HAVE A 1994 FORD ESCORT STATION WAGON, THE DRIVER SIDE RETRACTABLE SEAT BELT FAILED AND WILL NOT WORK. *NM

AFTER WE CAME HOME OUR CAR LOCKED INTO PARK, IT WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN MY HUSBAND REMOVED THE COVER , THE SPRING INSIDE IS TOTALLY SCREWED UP. IT WOULD BE FATAL IF THIS LOCKED UP WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. WE HAVE TWO KIDS THIS IT A FORD SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. UPON INSPECTION BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE LEFT FRONT AND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. THERE WERE PIECES OF METAL FROM THE SPRINGS BROKEN OFF WHICH WAS CAUSING THE RATTLING SOUND. UPDATED 05/16/2006. *AK *NM

THE 1994 FORD ESCORT IS A VERY POORLY MADE CAR. MOST OF THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH AUTOMATIC SEATBELTS, THE MOTORS OF WHICH ALMOST ALWAYS FAIL. OURS WAS NO EXCEPTION. WE HAD A MANUAL SEATBELT INSTALLED-- AT OUR EXPENSE-- AND TODAY THAT MANUAL SEATBELT SAVED MY HUSBAND'S LIFE IN A ROLLOVER CRASH. IMAGINE IF HE HAD ONLY HAD A LAPBELT! FORD REPEATEDLY DENIES THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT FOR EVERY 10 ESCORTS I SEE THAT WERE MADE ABOUT THE SAME TIME, 9 OF THEM HAVE AT LEAST ONE FAILED SEATBELT. IN ADDITION, THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A ROLLOVER CRASH GOING SOME 75 MPH. I CAN'T SAY IF MY HUSBAND'S INJURIES WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS SEVERE HAD THE AIRBAG GONE OFF, BUT I DO KNOW THAT I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN.

Crash 1 injured

THE 1994 FORD ESCORT IS A VERY POORLY MADE CAR. MOST OF THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH AUTOMATIC SEATBELTS, THE MOTORS OF WHICH ALMOST ALWAYS FAIL. OURS WAS NO EXCEPTION. WE HAD A MANUAL SEATBELT INSTALLED-- AT OUR EXPENSE-- AND TODAY THAT MANUAL SEATBELT SAVED MY HUSBAND'S LIFE IN A ROLLOVER CRASH. IMAGINE IF HE HAD ONLY HAD A LAPBELT! FORD REPEATEDLY DENIES THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT FOR EVERY 10 ESCORTS I SEE THAT WERE MADE ABOUT THE SAME TIME, 9 OF THEM HAVE AT LEAST ONE FAILED SEATBELT. IN ADDITION, THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A ROLLOVER CRASH GOING SOME 75 MPH. I CAN'T SAY IF MY HUSBAND'S INJURIES WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS SEVERE HAD THE AIRBAG GONE OFF, BUT I DO KNOW THAT I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN.

Crash 1 injured

ENGINE FAILURE. THE HEAD ON THE 1.9 LITRE ENGINES HAVE A BUILT IN FLAW. THE INTAKE VALVE ON NUMBER 4 CYLINDER FAILS. THE VALVE SEAT BREAKS APART CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE PISTON AND ALSO THE HEAD. 4 VEHICLES FOUND TO HAVE THIS DEFECT WHILE WE WERE LOOKING FOR A USED REPLACEMENT HEAD.*AK

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IDLING WHEN IT SUDDENLY WENT IN REVERSE. THE DRIVER HUNG ON TO THE OPEN DOOR OF HIS 1994 FORD ESCORT AND WAS DRAGGED FOR 100 FEET. *NM THE CONSUMER WAS DRAGGED 100 FEET AND HAD GOTTEN TRAPPED BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE PAVEMENT AND WAS SUFFOCATED. *SC

Crash 1 injured 1 deaths

FATAL DEATH DUE TO POSIBLE TRANSMISSION GOING INTO REVERSE FROM PARK WHILE VEHICLE IN IDLE. *JB

Crash 1 deaths

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER PASSIVE RESTRAINT SEAT BELTS WERE IN OPERATIVE. BOTH SEAT BELTS WERE STUCK AT THE TOP OF THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE,IT AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Crash

IT WAS HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR CONSUMER TO START THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

THE CABLE FOR THE SEATBELT IS MANGLED, AND THE SEATBELT (SHOULDER) DOES NOT WORK.

MOTORIZED SEAT BELT FAILURE, JAMMED IN PLACE, NOISE FROM TRACK TRYING TO REPOSITION ITSELF. *AK

WHEN THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE USED VEHICLE, SHE WAS INFORMED THE IGNITION AND CLUTCH PLATE HAD BEEN REPLACED AND THE PARTS WERE UNDER WARRANTY. THE IGNITION FAILED AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. *AK THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. *JB

CONSUMER STATED THAT AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH IS FLASHING, INDICATING THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG. IS AFRAID THAT THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY AFTER READING THE OWNER'S MANUAL. CONSUMER TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP/MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD THAT TO CHECK THIS PROBLEM IT WOULD COST HIM $89.00, AND TO REPAIR IT WOULD COST $100.00 PER HOUR. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARING ON DASHBOARD WAS A RECALL FOR SOME FORD ESCORTS, BUT NOT FOR HIS VEHICLE. HE NEED EDHELP WITH THE REPAIR COST.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT GAS LINE "RUBBED THROUGH" AS A RESULT OF COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE FRONT SWAY BAR ,CAUSING A FUEL LEAK.*AK

FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING WAS CRACKED. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK THE SPRING BROKE WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME. THE VEHICLE MADE A "CLUNK" NOISE WHEN IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MIDAS AND THE MECHANIC SHOWED THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE SPRING BROKE IT RUBBED AGAINST THE TIRE AND RUINED IT. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE IN ADDITION TO BOTH SPRING. *PH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: I HAVE NO HEAD LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS OR TURN SIGNALS. POSSIBLE SHORT IN WIRING. DISCOVERED BURNT WIRES AT THE TOP OF THE HATCHBACK. TRIED TO DO A TEMPORARY FIX USING "BOOTS". DID NOT HELP. THE FAULTY WIRES POSSIBLY CAUSED THE MAIN AMP TO BLOW WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE ALTERNATOR TO GO. *NLM

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. *JB

ORIGINAL IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT--BURNED OUT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

DURING ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION MECHANIC FOUND RIGHT AND LEFT COIL SPRINGS BROKEN-APPARENTLY DUE TO RUST AND LIGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE AT AN IDLE PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND VEHICLE ENGINE RIVED UP. STEPPED ON GAS PEDAL VEHICLE IDLED FASTER. SHUT VEHICLE OFFAND RESTARTED IT. HAD VEHICLE SERVICE. THIS IS AS RESULT OF THE ENGINE COMPUTER CHIP SENDING WRONG INFORMATION. MR

THE LEFT REAR TIE ROD BROKE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. MR *NLM *DT

NO DESCRIPTION GIVEN. NLM

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITHOUT WARNING IGNITION STARTED TO CRANK, CAUSING IGNITION SWITCH TO MELT.*AK DEALER FOUND FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED MALFUNCTION TO BURN WIRE ON STARTER SOLENOID OFF CAUSING CAR TO TURNOVER BY ITSELF. BRAKE CALIPERS, ALTERNATOR, TWO AIR CONDITIONER POWER HOSES, MASTER CYLINDER, STARTER AND TIRES (TIRE INFORMATION UNKNOWN) HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT

CONSUMER STATES HEAD LIGHT LENS IS DISCOLORING, IT IS NOT ENOUGH LIGHT TO SEE AT NIGHT. *YD

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP TUBING RUSTED ALLOWING FUEL TO BE PUMPED OUT AND SPILLING ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AND PUDDLING ON THE GROUND WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING. THIS FUEL ODOR AND LEAKAGE COULD CREAT A FIRE HAZARD.*AK

HEADLIGHTS HAVE BOTH FAILED, METAL DEFLECTOR HAS FALLEN OFF BOTH ASSEMBLIES (LEFT AND RIGHT). CANNOT BE RETRIEVAL FROM CLOSED HOUSING HEADLIGHT BEAM GOES UPWARD TOWARD ONCOMING DRIVERS AND AT THE SAME TIME NOTICE LOWER ILLUMINATION.

REAR SPRING BROKE OFF BECAUSE OF RUST AND CORRUSION. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

REAR COIL SPRING HAS A TENDENCY TO RUST WHICH CAUSES THEM TO BREAK WITHOUT ANY WARNING. DRIVER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT COIL SPRING BEING BROKEN WHEN HE TOOK VEHICLE TO INSPECTION.*AK

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS SERPENTINE BELT HAS POPPED OUT OFF PULLEY WHILE DRIVING. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES DUE TO HARMONIC BALANCER AND THE RUBBER INSULATED PULLEY ON THE ENGINE HAD FAILED TWICE. *YH

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY LEFT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM WHEEL. GOODYEAR, RANGLER, LT24575R16 LOW RANGE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

CONSUMER UNABLE TO SNAP IN AUTOMATIC SEATBELT CLIP.*AK CABLE FROM MOTORBELT BROKE, SEATBELT STAYS IN ONE POSTION FORCING CONSUMER TO USE LAP BELT. *AK*TT *JG

AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT: ORIGINAL MOTOR FAILED, REPLACED. REPLACEMENT MOTOR FAILED. BELT IS STUCK IN ONE POSITION (THE POSITION IN WHICH THE DRIVER WOULD WEAR IT). MAKES A CLICKING NOISE AS IT TRIES TO MOVE BUT DOESN'T MOVE. *AK

PASSIVE SHOULDER BELT WILL NOT RETRACT TO LET DRIVER OUT OF VEHICLE WHEN DOOR IS OPENED. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE STALLS/ HESITATES AND MISFIRES WHILE DRIVING. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT FULLY EXPAND AT THE TIME OF CAR ACCIDENT. CAR WAS TOTAL PER INSURANCE COMPANY. SEAT BELT SAVED DRIVER FROM FURTHER INJURY.*AK

Crash 1 injured