1998 FORD ESCORT Suspension Problems

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE IN 2003 AND WERE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT A REPAIR SHOP GETTING AN OIL CHANGE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 26,000. UPDATED 01/04/11*LJ UPDATED 01/10/11*JB

Mileage: 26,000

FAILURE OF THE REAR SPRINGS ON 1998 FORD ESCORT FIRST IN 2003 AT 12,195MILES AND THE REPLACEMENTS BOTH FAILED AGAIN IN 2009 AT 36, 000 MILES. FAILURE APPEARS DUE TO SALT CORROSION ENHANCEMENT DUE TO COVERED SPRING SURFACE. FORD WAS CONTACTED AND EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE THEY WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. FAILURE RATES ARE VERY SHORT. VEHICLE WAS NEVER OVERLOADED AND IS GENTLY DRIVEN. *TR

Mileage: 12,195

DURING A STATE REQUIRED INSPECTION FOUND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN. FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. *TR

Mileage: 36,252

I WAS SOLD A 1998 FORD ESCORT ZX2 FOR 800 DOLLARS, FROM BUT BEHIND A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DID THE NOTARY, AND THEY WERE THE ONES WHO SIGNED OFF ON THE CAR AND GAVE ME A HAND WRITTEN RECEIPT WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S NAME ON IT. THEY ALSO DID THE INSPECTION LATER ON AFTER WE REPLACED ONE OF THE BALL JOINTS. WE HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY ANOTHER OFFICIAL INSPECTION STATION AND THEY SAID THE CAR WAS A DEATH TRAP. WE CONTACTED A STATE TROOPER. HE DID AN INSPECTION, FAILED THE CAR, AND TOOK THE STICKER. THERE WAS A LONG LIST OF PROBLEMS. I TRIED TO GET A REFUND BEFORE I GOT THE COPS INVOLVED AND HE REFUSED. THIS WAS ALSO BEFORE THE 10 DAYS WERE UP FOR THE INSPECTION. I PAID FOR THE CAR ON THE 13TH OF FEB. 2008. *TR

Mileage: 187,000

COIL SPRING ON 1998 FORD ESCORT BROKE AND ALMOST BLEW OUT THE TIRE. BROUGHT IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO GET IT FIXED AND REPLACED THE TIRE.*AK

Mileage: 49,300

BROKEN REAR SPRINGS. *JB

Mileage: 135,000

BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THEN 6 MONTHS FOR THE 2002. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW IN FORD ESCORT. I HAVE A 1998 & 2002 AND BOTH HAVE BROKEN REAR SPRINGS. ALSO EVERY TECHNICIAN I HAVE TALKED TO KNOWS THE PROBLEM. *JB

Mileage: 120,048

WHILE HAVING POSSIBLE BRAKE NOISES CHECKED, THE MECHANIC, WHILE THE CAR WAS ON THE LIFT, SAW THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. HE STATED THAT THE MARKS HE SAW INDICATED THAT THEY HAD BEEN BROKEN FOR A WHILE. *JB

WAS HAVING MY 1998 ESCORT SERVICED. MECHANIC FOUND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS HAD FRACTURED IN SAME SPOT. HAD THEM REPAIRED THERE INSTANTLY AT A COST OF $710.10 . I CALLED FORD THEY SAID NO RECALL, I THEN BROUGHT SPRINGS TO MY FORD DEALER TO SHOW THEM AND TO ASK FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS, I AM STILL WAITING FOR AN ANSWER. HOWEVER FORD DID OFFER TO GET RID OF THE SPRINGS FOR ME BUT I STILL HAVE THEM IN MY TRUNK. *JB

Mileage: 38,500

DT: CONSUMER TOOK 1998 FORD ESCORT FOR A OIL CHANGE ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2005. THE MECHANIC FOUND BOTH REAR COILS SPRINGS BROKE. THE REAR STRUTS WERE DAMAGED, AND THE LEFT FRONT TIE ROD WAS BROKEN. THE MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE AT TIME OF SERVICE WAS 71, 127 MILES. THE CONSUMER USED THE CAR FOR SHOPPING AND PLEASURE WITH NO HARD DRIVING AT HER AGE. SHE WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THIS WAS COMMON FOR THE 1997 AND 1998 FORD ESCORTS. I HAD OTHER FORD ESCORTS PRIOR TO THIS ONE AND I HAD NO PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM COST THE CONSUMER $732. HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER. HAD NO ACCIDENTS. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD ALL THESE PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE DRIVES MUCH BETTER AND IS QUIETER SINCE HAD THE PROBLEMS FIXED. *AK

DT: CONSUMER TOOK 1998 FORD ESCORT FOR A OIL CHANGE ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2005. THE MECHANIC FOUND BOTH REAR COILS SPRINGS BROKE. THE REAR STRUTS WERE DAMAGED, AND THE LEFT FRONT TIE ROD WAS BROKEN. THE MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE AT TIME OF SERVICE WAS 71, 127 MILES. THE CONSUMER USED THE CAR FOR SHOPPING AND PLEASURE WITH NO HARD DRIVING AT HER AGE. SHE WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THIS WAS COMMON FOR THE 1997 AND 1998 FORD ESCORTS. I HAD OTHER FORD ESCORTS PRIOR TO THIS ONE AND I HAD NO PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM COST THE CONSUMER $732. HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER. HAD NO ACCIDENTS. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD ALL THESE PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE DRIVES MUCH BETTER AND IS QUIETER SINCE HAD THE PROBLEMS FIXED. *AK

DT: 1998 FORD ESCORT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE SERVICED, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOTICED THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN , APPROXIMATELY 1 TURNS FROM THE TOP. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY TOLD HIM THE PART WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. THERE HAD BEEN NO NOTICEABLE PROBLEMS BEFORE THIS.*AK THE CAPLIPERS WERE REPLACED DUE THEM BEING FROZEN. THE CRANK PULLEY AND SERPENTINE BELT WERE REPLACE. *JB

Mileage: 65,000

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ESCORT WAGON. WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON VEHICLE THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING BROKE WITH SOMETHING HOLDING IT INTO PLACE. THE REAR COIL SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT SHE HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.*AK

DT: VEHICLE BROKE REAR SPRINGS 2 YEARS AGO. *AK

Mileage: 95,000

BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. THE VEHICLE HAS SEEN MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES AND IS WELL KEPT. THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM ,AND WAS FOUND DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE REAR BRAKES. IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE HAD IT NOT BEEN FOUND. *AK

Mileage: 76,100

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR COIL SPRINGS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 74,000

WHILE THE STATE INSPECTION STATION WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE INSPECTOR INFORMED CONSUMER THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND THEY INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL.*AK

Mileage: 55,000

WHILE HAVING MY OIL CHANGED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTED THAT THE RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION SPRING WAS BROKEN NEAR THE BOTTOM. THE BROKEN SPRING DID NOT PERCEIVABLY ALTER THE FUNCTION OF THE CAR NOR DID IT MAKE NOISE. IT WAS CLARIFIED TO ME THAT THE SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE I FEEL IT IS NECESSARY TO HAVE BOTH SPRING REPLACED. THE ESTIMATE FOR THIS REPAIR IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $400. *JB

Mileage: 47,983

THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE SPRINGS AND STRUTS ON VEHICLE. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT SHE HAD BEEN DRIVING WITH CRACKED SPRINGS DURING A MAINTENANCE CHECK. *SC *JB

Mileage: 80,000

BROUGHT MY CAR TO SHOP TO HAVE STRUTS REPLACED. WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN AND HAD DESTROYED THE STRUTS AS WELL. VEHICLE HAS 80,00 HIGHWAY MILES ON IT. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND THE MECHANIC HAS ONE EVERY WEEK INTO HIS SHOP. *JB

WHILE SWERVING TO AVOID HITTING AN ANIMAL REAR END FAILED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO A TREE, THEN FLIPPED, AND LANDED ON ALL FOUR TIRES. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

Mileage: 55,000

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH REAR END TOOK OFF. AS A RESULT, DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND LANDED IN A DITCH. NO REPORT OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *AK

Mileage: 65,000

REAR COIL STRINGS BROKE AT 70,000 MILES ON 1998 FORD ESCORT WAGON.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING SOUND. DROVE VEHICLE TO A REPAIRS SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED CONSUMER THAT RIGHT REAR STRUT SPRING BROKE. *AK

FAILURE OF VEHICLE'S REAR SUSPENSION COILS. NAR 08/01/2003*MR *CB

Mileage: 35,000

REAR (BOTH) SPRINGS ON 1998 FORD ESCORT BROKE PRIOR TO 55,000 MILES. CAR WAS NOT USED FOR ANY HEAVY DUTY DRIVING.*AK

Mileage: 55,000

DURING A SAFETY INSPECTION FOR MY 1998 FORD ESCORT, I WAS ADVISED THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKE, WHICH CAUSED BOTH REAR STRUTS TO WEAKEN. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THIS TYPE VEHICLE. *TT

REAR SPRINGS BROKE AT 25,000 MILES. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT FORD DESIGNED THE SPRINGS TOO THIN. FORD WOULD NOT REIMBURSE THE COST TO ME. *TT

Mileage: 25,600

BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ON MY 1998 FORD ESCORT SE WAGON WERE FOUND TO BE BROKEN (EACH CRACKED AND BROKE IN TWO PIECES BENEATH THE PLASTIC SLEEVE). VEHICLE HAD 52,715 MILES AT THE TIME, BUT FROM CORROSION EVIDENCE OF BROKEN SPRINGS, IT APPEARS THEY MAY HAVE BEEN BROKEN FOR AWHILE PRIOR TO DISCOVERY. FOUR OTHER INCIDENTS NOTED ON SAME YEAR/MAKE/MODEL VEHICLE WITHIN THIS DATABASE. *JB

Mileage: 52,715

WHILE DRIVING THE REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE. CONSUMER STATES DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE FRONT BALL JOINTS WORN OUT THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE CAUSING IT TO BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT AND REAR COIL SPRING HAD TO BE REPLACED. LEFT BRAKE GRABBED. RATTLE NOISE AT RIGHT FRONT AT INITIAL START. HIGH IDLE AND CLICKING NOISE IN DASH. *TT

THE DRIVER HEARD SOME SCRAPPING NOISE BUT WASN'T SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE OWNER HAD TO GO THROUGH INSPECTION WHICH HIS VEHICLE WAS REJECTED DUE TO THE REAR COIL SPRINGS BREAKING. HE IS ALSO AWARE OF SOMEONE ELSE WITH SIMILAR FAILURE. MRJLG

REAR SPRING COILS BROKE WHILE DRIVING.*AK

WHILE A MECHANIC CHECKED TIRES NOTICED THAT REAR SPRING HAD COLLAPSED ON ITSELF. MECHANIC STATED VEHICLE COULD LOSE CONTROL IF SPRING BREAK OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS GETTING INSPECTED DISCOVERED THAT REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS LOW MILEAGE IN VEHICLE TO HAVE COIL SPRINGS REPLACED.*AK

WHILE HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED TECHNICIAN NOTICED LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING SUSPENSION PROBLEMS INCLUDING THE KNUCKLE. *JB

WHEEL BEARING FAILED CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SHAKE AND SMOKE POOR OUT OF IT, CONSUMER ALSO HEARD SHREAKING SOUND. *SLC

WHEEL BEARING FAILED CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SHAKE AND SMOKE POOR OUT OF IT, CONSUMER ALSO HEARD SHREAKING SOUND. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD COULD FEEL TIRE BUMPIING. THEN, CONSUMER SMELLED RUBBER BURNING. TOOK TO FIRESTONE, AND THEY SAID THAT SET OF THE CAMPER WAS WRONG AND HAS TO BE REMOVED. CONSUMER SAID RIGHT REAR TIRE ON THE INSIDE LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE. TOOK A KNIVE AND TRIED TO CUT A HOLE IN TIRE OFF THE WHEEL.*AK

FRONT END POPS. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T HEAR AND IF THEY DO HEAR IT NOTHING WRONG. MY WHOLE FAMILY CAN HEAR IT ALL THE TIME. NOW WHAT DO I DO?*AK

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED. DEALER DISCOVERED THAT STEERING/ BRAKES SQUEAKED. *AK

SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE OF MY FORD ESCORT SEDAN, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK AND INSPECT THE VIBRATION SOUND OF THE VEHICLE IN WHICH IS VERY ANNOYING ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING, I FEEL THE VIBRATION IN THE GAS PEDAL AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. SECONDLY THE STEERING WHEEL SQUEAKS WHEN TURNING IT TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT, ESPECIALLY AFTER TURNING ON THE VEHICLE AND WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT AND RIGHT TURN. I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND IS AT THE NORMAL LEVEL. THIRDLY, I CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 3000 MILES AND HAVE NOTICE TWICE THAT THE MOTOR BURNS UP ALMOST A QUART OF OIL EVERY 3000 MILES, I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THAT THE VEHICLE TAKE 5 QUARTS OF OIL. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 4 CYLINDER, SO IT SHOULD TAKE 4 QUARTS. HOWEVER, THEY TELL ME TO CHECK AGAIN. I HAVE A FORD ESCORT WAGON 1982, AND I NEVER HAD THE PROBLEMS THAT THIS FORD ESCORT 1998 IS HAVING. PLEASE ADVICE ME WHAT TO DO AND SEND ME ANY INFORMATION ON RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE FORD ESCORT SEDAN, 4 DOORS WHITE, VIN NUMBER [XXX] . SEMPER FI. [XXX] USMC RETIRED. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY, RESULTING IN SEVERAL MINOR PROBLEMS. CONSUMER HAS NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH VEHICLE STARTED WANDERING FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON THE ROAD AND VIBRATE FROM REAR TO FRONT. *AK

WHEN PUTTING ON BRAKES AND WHEN GOING FORWARD A LOUD POPING NOISE CAN BE HEARD. *AK

PASSENGER'S SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING, AND CAUSED A LOSS O CONTROL AND A CRASH. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK

WHEN I TOOK CAR IN WAS FIRST TOLD IT WAS THE CALIPERS AND THAT IT WAS NORMAL, TOOK IT BACK AND I WAS TOLD THEY WERE TO BUSY TO LOOK AT IT BUT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, THE STARTER HAD TO GO OUT BEFORE THEY WOULD CHECK IT OUT, TURNED OUT TO BE A LOOSE AXEL BOLT AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE FRONT AXEL.

THE DRIVER AND PASSNEGER SIDE WINDOWS VIBRATE, AS WELL AS THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. TO STOP RATTLING YOU MUST GENTLY PUSH ON ONE OF THESE 3 THINGS. OTHER UNDISTINGUISHABLE VIBRATIONS ARE HEARD FROM WITHIN THE CAR. *AK

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ON GOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE VIBRATION. WHENEVER VEHICLE IS RUNNING IT WOULD VIBRATE. BEEN IN/OUT DEALER SHOP AND CONDITION STILL UNRESOLVED. *AK

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE INTTERMITTENTLY POPPING NOISE WHICH APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN MAKING A TURN IT APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE FRAME. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON FIVE OCCASIONS, AND WAS INFORMED CAUSE CANNOT BE FOUND/DUPLICATED/OR IF PROBLEM GET WORTH, BRING THE VEHICLE BACK IN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD, VEHICLE VEERED TO RIGHT, LOST CONTRO, OVERCORRECTED AND HIT GUARDRAIL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE BECAME AIRBORN AND FLEW 60 FEET OVER A CREEK. 2 PASSENGERS SUSTAINED INJURES, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.