1989 FORD ESCORT Electrical System Problems

1989 FORD ESCORT HATCHBACK - A PASSENGER EXITING THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR SEAT STEPPED ON AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE CARPET WHICH CAUSED THE +12V AND GROUND WIRES TO SHORT TOGETHER. THIS CONNECTOR IS PART OF THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP HARNESS. THE CONNECTOR MELTED, THE WIRE HARNESS BURNED AND THE CARPET SINGED. THERE WAS SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *JB

Mileage: 150,000

ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED ALTERNATOR. ALSO, THE SECOND ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE AT THE GAS PUMP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE BLAZE. CONSUMER CLAIMED IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE INSTALLATION THAT CAUSED THE FIRE. *AK

Mileage: 120,000

BATTERY CHARGING LIGHT GOING ON & OFF AT TIMES. ALSO ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED FUEL GAUGE WILL REGISTER ABOVE FULL & AT SAME TIME TEMPERATURE. GAUGE GOES UP TO MAXIMUM. NEITHER BEING CLOSE TO BE CORRECTED. DURING THIS TIME I NOTICED KEYS & IGNITION BECOME VERY HOT. IF TURNED ON & OFF COUPLE TIMES IT IS OK AGAIN . EXCEPT OCCASIONAL CHARGING LIGHT ON & OFF WITH NO LOSS OF POWER. CAN'T FIND CAUSE! *LA

Mileage: 25

WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 1989 FORD ESCORT SHE TURNED L TO PULL INTO A DRIVE WAY AND SHE SMELLED SMOKE. SHE ONLY GOT A FEW YARDS AND THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. I DID CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY, BUT SINCE THE CAR WAS NOT INSURED FOR FIRE. THEY RECOMMENDED I CONTACT FORD. WHEN ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY DEFECTS THAT WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO BURST INTO FLAMES. I WAS TOLD NO THERE WAS NOT. SO THERE WAS IT WAS NOT INVESTIGATED. WHILE LOOKING OVER THIS WEB SITE I HAVE FOUND MANY FIRES. AND I WAS WONDER IF ANY ACTION COULD BE TAKEN. I DO NOT SOMEONE ELSE'S DAUGHTER DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND POSSIBLY BURNING TO DEATH. AND I FEEL FORD SHOULD HAVE BEEN HONEST WITH ME. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 89,000

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN HE PLACED THE KEY INSIDE OF THE IGNITION. TS

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS STALLING DUE TO THE PLACEMENT OF AN ELECTRONIC MODULE ON THE DISTRIBUTOR, WHEN THE ENGINE GOT HOT, IT CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE MODULE, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING SOME KIND OF COMPENSATION DUE TO THE RULING IN ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. *SLC

VEHICLE STALLS ALOT, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS. OWNER HAS TO BLOW DRY DISTRIBUTOR CAP BEFORE VEHICLE WILL START AGAIN. ALSO, WHEN DEPRESSING CLUTCH PEDAL, VEHICLE STALLS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. CLUTCH HAS BEEN REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES CONSUMER STARTED SMELLING SMOKE, AND 5 MINUTES LATER, SAW FIRE COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD. ALSO, BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AFTER SHE SMELLED THE SMOKE. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES CONSUMER STARTED SMELLING SMOKE, AND 5 MINUTES LATER, SAW FIRE COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD. ALSO, BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AFTER SHE SMELLED THE SMOKE. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK

CAONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 96V07100/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 95S28/ IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECORD OF THIS RECALL.*AK

ENGINE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON,THE CAR STALLS AND JERKS.I WAS WITH MY CAR IN TWO SERVICES. THE FIRST:PYRAMID SHELL SERVICE CHARGED ME WITH 400$ FOR SOME IGNITIONS MODULES WHO WERE REPLACED.AFTER I PICKED UP MY CAR IN ONE HOUR I MET THE SAME PROBLEMS.I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK AND THEY CHECKED AGAIN AND SAID THAT WILL COST ME ANOTHER 400$ BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO CHANGE THE COMPUTER.ISAID NO,BECAUSE I HAD NO TRUST IN THEM AND I WENT TO JOHN WEST FORD .O.K.THEY CHANGED AGAIN ALMOST THE SAME PARTS AND CHARGED ME WITH 620$.I PAID EVERYTHING.I JUST THOUGHT THAT WILL BE GOOD. NO WAY.AFTER A FEW HOURS,WHEN I DROVE MY CAR HOME ON THE HYWAY IT START TO SHOW THE SAME NICE PROBLEM.STALLS ,JERKS.BUT NO DIFFERENCIES.IT WAS THE SAME LIKE ON THE FIRST TIME.WHAT CAN I DO?MY CAR IS STILL BAD.MY MONEY ARE GONE.WHO WILL BE RESPONSABLE FOR THAT?ME?I GAVE MY MONEY WISHING TO SEE MY CAR FIXED,REPAIRD.THOSE GUYS TOOK MY MONEY AND DIDN'T DO THE RIGHT THING.I AM THE GREAT LOOSER AND THEY WILL BE ALWAYS THE WINNERS.HOW CAN I TAKE MY MONEY BACK OR SEE MY CAR REPAIRD?SORRY FOR MY WRONG ENGLISH.THANK YOU AND PLEASE HELP ME. *AK

ENGINE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON,THE CAR STALLS AND JERKS.I WAS WITH MY CAR IN TWO SERVICES. THE FIRST:PYRAMID SHELL SERVICE CHARGED ME WITH 400$ FOR SOME IGNITIONS MODULES WHO WERE REPLACED.AFTER I PICKED UP MY CAR IN ONE HOUR I MET THE SAME PROBLEMS.I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK AND THEY CHECKED AGAIN AND SAID THAT WILL COST ME ANOTHER 400$ BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO CHANGE THE COMPUTER.ISAID NO,BECAUSE I HAD NO TRUST IN THEM AND I WENT TO JOHN WEST FORD .O.K.THEY CHANGED AGAIN ALMOST THE SAME PARTS AND CHARGED ME WITH 620$.I PAID EVERYTHING.I JUST THOUGHT THAT WILL BE GOOD. NO WAY.AFTER A FEW HOURS,WHEN I DROVE MY CAR HOME ON THE HYWAY IT START TO SHOW THE SAME NICE PROBLEM.STALLS ,JERKS.BUT NO DIFFERENCIES.IT WAS THE SAME LIKE ON THE FIRST TIME.WHAT CAN I DO?MY CAR IS STILL BAD.MY MONEY ARE GONE.WHO WILL BE RESPONSABLE FOR THAT?ME?I GAVE MY MONEY WISHING TO SEE MY CAR FIXED,REPAIRD.THOSE GUYS TOOK MY MONEY AND DIDN'T DO THE RIGHT THING.I AM THE GREAT LOOSER AND THEY WILL BE ALWAYS THE WINNERS.HOW CAN I TAKE MY MONEY BACK OR SEE MY CAR REPAIRD?SORRY FOR MY WRONG ENGLISH.THANK YOU AND PLEASE HELP ME. *AK

SINCE REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH PER RECALL 96V071 THE CONSUMER SOMETIMES NOTICES THAT WHEN HE TURNS THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE KEY CAN BE TURNED WITHOUT ANY PLAY IN THE SWITCH AND THE BATTERY TURNS OVER BUT DOES NOT START. NLM

CONSUME R WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND FUMES WERE COMING THROUGH THE HEATER VENT. THEN HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICL. HE PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. LIFTED THE HOOD UP AND FLAMES CAME SHOOTING OUT, AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS ON FIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND STALLING. THEN WENT UP INTO FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND REPORT FILED. DEALER NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE TOTALLED AND TOWED. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

HAD PARKED VEHICLE & LEFT. WAS NOTIFIED THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED & PUT FLAMES OUT. HAD NOTICED SEVERAL LARGE HOT SPOTS ON HOOD. THE FLAMES CAME FROM UNDER HOOD. INFORMED POSSIBLY FROM THE BATTERY CABLES. *AK

MULTI-PURPOSE SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS AND SIGNAL SWITCH TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, REPLACED MULTI-PURPOSE SWITCH 9 TIMES. THIS REPRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL. IT HAS ALSO OCCURRED TO CONSUMER MOTHER'S 1987 FORD ESCORT GT. FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER SERVICES WAS NON-COOPERATIVE WHEN CONTACTED WITH A FULL HISTORY OF THE VEHICLE. THE FACT THAT ANOTHER ESCORT DISPLAYED THE SAME SYMPTOMS RECEIVED THE ATTENTION OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHO ADVISED CONSUMER TO PURSUE THE ISSUE BY HIRING A PRIVATE ATTORNEY. IN ADDITION, REPLACED BATTERY 3 TIMES/LED PANEL, AND STATOR WITHIN ALTERNATOR ALSO FAILED. *AK

MULTI-PURPOSE SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS AND SIGNAL SWITCH TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, REPLACED MULTI-PURPOSE SWITCH 9 TIMES. THIS REPRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL. IT HAS ALSO OCCURRED TO CONSUMER MOTHER'S 1987 FORD ESCORT GT. FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER SERVICES WAS NON-COOPERATIVE WHEN CONTACTED WITH A FULL HISTORY OF THE VEHICLE. THE FACT THAT ANOTHER ESCORT DISPLAYED THE SAME SYMPTOMS RECEIVED THE ATTENTION OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHO ADVISED CONSUMER TO PURSUE THE ISSUE BY HIRING A PRIVATE ATTORNEY. IN ADDITION, REPLACED BATTERY 3 TIMES/LED PANEL, AND STATOR WITHIN ALTERNATOR ALSO FAILED. *AK

THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY RECALL, NOW THE REPLACED PART HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE ORIGINAL PART DID AND IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. FORD HAS FAILED TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE PROBLEM.

IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE WHILE VEHILE WAS PARKED AND IGNITION OFF. THE FIRE WAS AUGUST, 1996, RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED DECEMBER, 1996. FORD DENIES RESPONSIBILITY SINCE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD ALREADY PAID.

CAR WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED DOWN HOUSE, INVESTGATOR SAID IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION SWITCH . *AK

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE RESULTING IN FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.

IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND CAR STARTED TO SMOKE AND THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

CONSUMER SMELLED A FOUL ODOR AND WENT TO SERVICE VEHICLE, SERVICE STATION DISCOVERED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, CONSUMER HAD SERVICE STATION PERSONNEL PUT OUT THE FIRE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING HOME VEHICLE STALLED THEN RESTARTED TO CONTINUE, WHILE DRIVING A PERSON CALLED TO HER ATTENTION THAT HER CAR WAS SMOKING, SHE GOT OUT, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

RECALL WORK HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED ON THE IGNITION SWITCH DUE TO SCHEDULING PROBLEMS WITH THE DEALER.

THE DEALER DENIED TO FIX THE VEHICLE WHICH HAD A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH BECAUSE THE FIRE DID NOT START IN THE STEERING, IT STARTED IN THE IGNITION MODULE.THE ELECTRICIAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED OVERHEATING OF THE ECECTRICAL CIRCUITING. *JB

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE DRIVING, CAUSED VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. *AK

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED CAUSING THE DASHBOARD TO CATCH ON FIRE DESTROYING THE VEHICLE.

DEFECT NOTICE--IGNITION SWITCH COULD SHORT-CIRCUIT AND COULD LEAD TO FIRE, AS WAS THE CASE OF THIS OWNER.

DEALERSHIP WILL NOT CALL CONSUMER TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT FOR RECALL WORK. CONSUMER HAS BEEN CALLING FOR (1) MONTH. RECALL 96V071000. *AK *SLC

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE RESULTED IN FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.

DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO SCHOOL, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, NOTICED SMOKE GETTING UP THE HILL, VEHICLE DIED, PUSHED VEHICLE OUT OF WAY, VEHICLE FRONT ENGULFED IN FLAMES, DRIVER STUCK IN SEAT BELT. *AK

ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED , ALSO BURNED WIRES. *AK

ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED , ALSO BURNED WIRES. *AK

OWNER PICKED UP VEHICLE, DROVE TO WORK, PARKED VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT, LEFT VEHICLE AND WENT INSIDE OFFICE BUILDING, CO-WORKER INFORMED OWNER THAT VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES, CALLED FIRE DEPT WHO PUT FLAMES OUT. *AK FIRE DEPT STATED ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS COMPLETELY DAMAGED, CONSUMER HAD JUST RECENTLY HAD MAJOR IGNITION WORK COMPLETED ON VEHICLE. *SLC

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE ALTERNATOR , CAUSING THE BATTERY CABLE TO CATCH ON FIRE.*AK

ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CAUSING LIGHTS TO COME ON.

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN.THE FIRE STARTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA. *AK

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DH

DRIVING VEHICLE, SMELLED THE ODOR BURNING PLASTIC, SAW A SMALL REFLECTION OF A SMALL FLAME IN DASHBOARD, SUDDENLY WHOLE INTERIOR OF VEHICLE & FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS ENGULF IN FLAMES. *AK *JB

DRIVING VEHICLE, SMELLED THE ODOR BURNING PLASTIC, SAW A SMALL REFLECTION OF A SMALL FLAME IN DASHBOARD, SUDDENLY WHOLE INTERIOR OF VEHICLE & FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS ENGULF IN FLAMES. *AK *JB

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, UNDER THE HOOD COMPARTMENT FIRE, PUT OUT, RESTARTED UNDER THE DASH COMPARTMENT FIRE, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK *JB

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, UNDER THE HOOD COMPARTMENT FIRE, PUT OUT, RESTARTED UNDER THE DASH COMPARTMENT FIRE, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK *JB

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE UNDER THE DASH. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE UNDER THE DASH. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 15 MILES FROM HOME, NOTICED SMOKE OR STEAM, WENT INTO RESTAURANT, LOOKED OUT OF WINDOW VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AQK

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE ALTERNATOR WHILE IN TRAFFIC. *AK CONSUMER HAD A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED, PARKING BRAKE CABLE RECONNECTED, A UNE WAS PERFORMED, WATER PUMP REPLACED, REPLACED BRAKE PADS,DISC PAD SHIMS AND ROTORS, NEW ALTERNATOR, NEW TRANSMISSION GASKET, COOLANT FAN MOTOR INSTALLED WHICH WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME, INNER TIE RODS AND OUTER TIE RODS WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED, EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE REPLACED, STARTER WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME,TIMING BELT FAILED WHILE TRAVELING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, UNDETECTED PROBLEM WITH DIFFERENTIAL CAUSED DESTRUCTION OF TRANSMISSION.*JB

ELECTRICAL SHORT, ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, NEAR THE ALTERATOR NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE. *AK

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 15 MILES FROM HOME, NOTICED SMOKE OR STEAM, WENT INTO RESTAURANT, LOOKED OUT OF WINDOW VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AQK

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE ALTERNATOR WHILE IN TRAFFIC. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

ELECTRICAL SHORT, ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, NEAR THE ALTERATOR NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE. *AK

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK CAUSED THE WIRES IN THE ENGINE TO BURN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

TURNED OFF IGNITION, GOT OUT OF VEHICLE, TURNED AROUND, FLAMES WERE COMING FROM DASHBOARD AREA; WITHIN 4 MINUTES, VEHICLE COMPLETELY TOTALED. *AK

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE CAUSUED BY THE IGNITION SWITCH.PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

THE IGNITION CAUGHT FIRE . PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

VEHICLE BURNED DOWN CAUSED BY THE IGNITION SWITCH.PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

INTERIOR VEHICLE FIRE AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN. *AK

THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

IGNITION FIRE. *AK

THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

IGNITION FIRE. *AK

PURCHASED CAR NEW AND ON TWO OCCASIONS FIRES BROKE OUT, ONE CAME FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE ALTERNATOR, CONSUMER SOLD THE CAR, PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS LEFT. FEW MINUTES LATER IT WAS DISCOVERED GOING UP IN FLAMES. SOURCE OF FIRE UNKNOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

UNDER THE DASH COMPARTMENT FIRE, VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK

UNDER THE DASH COMPARTMENT FIRE, VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. STATE TROOPER SUSPECTED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS CULPRIT. *AK

SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN IGNITION SWITCH AREA. TT

CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

THE CAR HAD AN ELECTRICAL FIRE DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FIRE UNDERDASH ON DRIVERS SIDE. TT

THE VEHICLES ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE. TT

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THEN BURST INTO FLAMES, NOT SURE WHERE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IT STARTED. TT

PURCHASE CAR USED 4/95 THE CAR IS LOSING POWER TRANSMISSION AND BRAKE PROBLEM. TT

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN STEERING COLUMN, SMOKE CAME OUT AND COULD HAVE CAUSED FIRE. TT