1999 FORD ESCORT Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS DEFECTIVE. IN ADDITION, THE MOTOR FAILED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,083.

Mileage: 93,083

COMPANY STATES THEY DO A COMPREHENSIVE INSPECTION, SELL HIGH QUALITY USED VEHICLES, MEET CUSTOMERS PERSONAL NEEDS, AND BACK THEIR PRODUCT. NO INSPECTION WAS DONE, ONLY COSMETIC REPAIRS TO SELL THE CAR. NO INSPECTION REPORT CAN BE PRODUCED EXCEPT THE REPAIRS BEFORE CAR WAS PUT ON LOT. THIS VEHICLE IS FAR FROM THE HIGH QUALITY. WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE BACK IN THE SHOP 14 TIMES IN 14 MONTHS. IT DID NOT MEET THE 4 PERSONAL NEEDS WE REQUESTED. EVERYTHING WITH THOSE NEEDS HAS GONE COMPLETELY WRONG! WE DID NOT WANT A FORD; WE GOT A FORD, IT IS NOT RELIABLE. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THE AC AT THE SHOP 7 TIMES, NOW RENDERING THE CAR DISABLED. IT IS NOT RELIABLE, KEEPS BREAKING DOWN. IT DOES NOT GET GOOD MILEAGE; CAR GETS 21 MPG WHEN IT SHOULD GET ABOUT 35-38 ACCORDING TO MFG. WARRANTY WAS BURNED BY MILES GOING BACK AND FORTH TO SHOP FOR CONSTANT REPAIRS. 700 MILES FOR THE SAME ISSUE- THE AC. SERVICE ISSUES ARE THAT THEY HAVE NOT FOUND THE ROUTE OF THE PROBLEM AND WE KEEP HAVING TO GO BACK TO GET THE SAME THING FIXED. OWNER IS UNCOOPERATIVE, WONT LISTEN, ALWAYS COMES BACK WITH RESPONSES AND REPLIES THAT GO IN CIRCLES. HE WILL NOT LISTEN. WE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR A DIFFERENT CAR SINCE TWO WEEKS AFTER WE BOUGHT THIS CAR; WHEN WE FOUND OUT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO BE PUT ON THE ROAD. WITHIN TWO WEEKS IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS, BROKEN TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, BAD FUEL PUMP, WORN BRAKE PADS TO METAL. WHICH WERE WORN IN TWO WEEKS AFTER THEY WERE CHANGED BECAUSE OF A WARPED ROTOR. WE HAD TOLD THEM THERE WAS A SHAKE IN THE CAR WHEN WE DID A TEST DRIVE. THEY SAID IT WOULD HAPPEN TO A FORD. WE DID NOT WANT A FORD! WE WERE DESPERATE BECAUSE OUR CAR WAS DISABLED, OLD AND READY FOR THE JUNKYARD. WE WERE BROKE AND COULD NOT COME UP WITH A DOWN PAYMENT. THIS WAS THE ONLY PLACE THAT ADVERTISED NO DOWN PAYMENT. WE DID NOT NEED TO REPAIR CREDIT AS MOST PEOPLE WHO GO HERE. WE WERE APPROVED EVERYWHERE, JUST HAD NO DOWN PAYMENT. *TR

Mileage: 112,802

OK, SO I JUST BOUGHT MY 1999 FORD ESCORT ZX2 ON DECEMBER 1, 2008 AT 82,000 MILES. 2 MONTHS LATER I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY ALTERNATOR IN FEBRUARY 2009. IN MAY 2009 MY ENGINE BLEW, APPARENTLY THE #1 ROD SEPARATED AND WENT THROUGH THE OIL PAN. I REPLACED THE ENGINE SINCE I STILL HAVE A LOAN ON THE CAR. IT IS NOW JULY 2009 AND MY TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. I ONLY HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR LESS THAN 8 MONTHS AND REPAIR COSTS ARE MORE THAN WHAT I PAID FOR THIS. UNFORTUNATELY I CAN'T GET RID OF IT BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR A BETTER CAR AND NOW I AM IN THIS ENDLESS CYCLE OF REPAIRS. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

EXCESSIVE ENGINE VIBRATION BRAKES FRONT EXHAUST PIPE AND FUMES GET INTO CAR. *TR

Mileage: 114,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE DROPPED TWO VALVE SEATS. AS A RESULT, TWO CYLINDER HEADS FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS IF IT WERE NOT RECEIVING ANY POWER AND THEN SHUT OFF. THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL DROVE POORLY. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A DISTURBING, CHOPPING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. SHE PURCHASED A REBUILT ENGINE AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION SENSORS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN SIX MONTHS LATER. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A NEW ENGINE, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE UNDER A LIFETIME WARRANTY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 142,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN A MONTH OF HER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN AUGUST OF 2007. A DAY OR TWO LATER, THE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE RADIO AND CLOCK IN THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON AND OFF AND MADE A STRANGE NOISE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE DIAGNOSTIC. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,964 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150. UPDATED 5/19/08 *CN THE GEAR LIGHT WENT OUT. THE MARKER LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED

Mileage: 150

I PURCHASED MY SE IN NOVEMBER OF 2006 WITH LESS THAN 83K MILES ON IT. THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING IT, ONE OF THE HEAD GASKETS CRACKED. I HAD THE HEAD REPAIRED, AND LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER THAT THE HEAD CRACKED AGAIN. I HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED. I HAVE NOW HAD NEW HEADS, NEW ENGINE, NEW FUEL PUMP AND A NEW ALTERNATOR INSTALLED AND NOW AM HAVING A NEW PROBLEM. WHEN I PULLED OUT FROM A STOP, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE ENGINE IS NOW EMITTING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN STOPPED, AND I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS IS ALL IN ADDITION TO THE VIOLENT SHAKING, FAULTY FRONT HEADLIGHT, TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDS FLUSHED AND LOUD ENGINE NOISE. I HAVE SPENT MORE ON REPAIRS THAN I PAID FOR THE VEHICLE, AND NOW HAVE TO PUT MORE MONEY IN TO IT, AND IT STILL HAS LESS THAN 94K MILES ON IT. THIS IS MY FIRST FORD, AND WILL BE MY LAST. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

I OWN A 1999 FORD ESCORT SE. IT HAS LESS THAN 32,000 ORIGINAL MILES. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD VIBRATING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS I HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC, NOT THE DEALERSHIP. ON INVESTIGATION, HE DISCOVERED THAT MY 4TH PISTON IS CRACKED. WHEN HE CALLED JASPER ENGINES FOR THE PRICE ON A REPLACEMENT ENGINE, THEY TOLD HIM THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED SERVICE BULLETINS THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM IN THE 1999 ESCORT ENGINES. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD ABOUT HELPING IN THE COST OF REPLACING THE ENGINE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE CAR IS MORE THAN 5 YRS OLD THEY WILL NOT HELP. IF THEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM, THE SHOULD HAVE TO REPAIR IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER STEPS TO TAKE AND WISH TO KEEP THE CAR. *NM

Mileage: 31,200

I OWN A 1999 FORD ESCORT SE, 4 DOOR. ABOUT A WEEK AGO I TOOK IT INTO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD ALL FOUR MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BAD. A COUNTER PERSON LOOKED UP VEHICLE NOTICES AND (I THINK) FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN ON MOTOR MOUNTS FOR 2001-2003 ESCORTS. MY QUESTION IS, HOW CAN ALL FOUR MOTOR MOUNTS GO BAD AT ONE TIME UNLESS IT IS SHODDY EQUIPMENT TO BEGIN WITH. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ALL FOUR GOING BAD. IN ALL THE VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED I DO NOT THINK I HAVE EVER HAD ANY MOTOR MOUNT REPLACED. HAVE ANY OTHER SIMILAR PROBLEMS LIKE THIS BEEN REPORTED? *NM

Mileage: 63,446

I PURCHASED A 1999 FORD ESCORT FROM CARMAX IN MAY OF 2001. ABOUT 2-3 WKS LATER I CONSTANTLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHT GOING OUT. I GOT TICKETED BY THE POLICE SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE I WAS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEMS. THEN ONE DAY DRIVING FROM WORK MY ENGINE DIED. WITHOUT ANY WARNING AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO CARMAX AND THEY THEN TOOK IT TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP. WHENEVER I PUT THE AC ON THERE IS A RUMBLING COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. FRANKLY THE CAR IS A LEMON AND I HAD NO IDEA BECAUSE THERE WAS NO REPORTS ON THE CAR AND I REMEMBERED ASKING THE SALES REP. IF THERE WAS ANYTHING ABOUT THE CAR THAT I NEEDED TO KNOW AND I WAS TOLD NO. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO BECAUSE I AM SPENDING MONEY ON THIS CAR FOR MANUFACTURER PROBLEMS. THANK YOU. *NM

Mileage: 70,000

NOTICED THAT ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS COMING UP ON AND OFF, CHANGED SPARK PLUGS,WIRES, LIGHT WOULD GO OFF FOR A PERIOD AND THAN COME BACK ON. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY BETWEEN 65-70 MILES/HOUR WHEN I HURED A LOUD BANG , PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY, I HAD THE CAR TAKING TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, SERVICE WRITER TOLD ME THAT THE VALVE SEAT IN THE HEAD HAD SEPERATED AND FELL INTO THE MOTOR. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE 1.9 MOTOR HAD A FLAW IN THE HEAD AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR MANY YEARS. THAN HE SHOWED ME ANOTHER ESCORT THAT6 HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND THAT THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST CAR HE SEENED WITH THIS PROBLEM. SECOND PROBLEM: I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 TRANSMITIONS WITH IN A YEAR, WHICH WAS COVERED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND POSSIBLY A 4TH. I DON'T KNOW BECAUSE THE MOTOR WENT. THIRD PROBLEM: WHILE AT A STOP SIGN A WAS REAR ENDED AN ABOUT 30-35 MILES/HOUR, MY SEAT BELLT DID NOT HOLD ME AND MY SEAT COLLEPSED ON TOP OF MY CHILD WHO WAS IN A CAR SEAT BEHIND ME. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOPE ABOUT THE WEEK BEFORE THE MOTOR WENT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM HAD TO DO WITH THE TRANSMITION BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR NEW THAT THE VALVE WAS PREPERING TO FAIL. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD REDESIGNED THE HEAD, SO THIS PROBLEM COULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

Mileage: 8,300

ON 12-11-04 WHILE RETURNING HOME FROM WORK, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE CAR STALLED. AT FIRST I THOUGH IT WAS THE TIMING BELT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL SHOP WHO SAID THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD BEEN STRETCHED AND HAD ACTUALLY SKIPPED GEARS. THEY REPLACED THE TIMING BELT AND UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THEY HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THEY REMOVED THE SPARK PLUGS TO FIND THAT THE #4 PLUG HAD BEEN BROKEN DUE TO AN IMPACT FROM THE ENGINE. AFTER CONTACTING THE SPARK PLUG MANUFACTUER, THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD 2.0 ENGINES MANUFACTURERED BETWEEN 1991 AND 2000. FORD USED A POWDERED METAL VALVE SEAL INSTEAD OF A STAINLESS STEEL ONE WHICH OVER TIME BREAKS APART AND FALLS INTO THE ENGINE DAMAGING THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED.*AK

Mileage: 127,000

IN 1999 WE PURCHASED A FORD ESCORT. WITHIN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, THAT SOMETIMES A NEW CAR WOULD DO THAT JUST BY GOING OVER A BUMP. WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS THE CAR DEVELOPED SOME REALLY WEIRD PROBLEMS. DIAGNOSTICS WERE DONE, PARTS CHANGED AND MONEY PAID. NO CHANGE. THE CAR WILL STALL AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR A WHILE, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER. NOW IT STALLS CONSTANTLY. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO FIVE DIFFERENT MECHANICS PLUS THE FORD DEALERSHIP AGAIN, AND NO ONE CAN TELL US WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. DIAGNOSTICS ARE CONSTANTLY BEING DONE. PARTS CHANGED "JUST TO SEE" AND MORE AND MORE MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED EXCEPT IT IS GETTING WORSE. MY DAUGHTER IS NOW EXPECTING HER FIRST CHILD AND THE CAR IS HERS. WE ARE AFRAID TO LET HER DRIVE IT ANYMORE BECAUSE OF ITS INSTABILITY. FORD KEEPS TELLING US TO BRING IT BACK TO THEM AND THEY'LL DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM...THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO YET AND NOW THEY WON'T EVEN RESPOND ANYMORE. SO FORD IS ULTIMATELY THE PROBLEM...ALONG WITH THEIR CAR. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. WE CAN'T SELL THE CAR THIS WAY. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER ONE WITHOUT SELLING THIS ONE FIRST. DO WE HAVE ANY RECOURSE AT THIS POINT? *NM

Mileage: 550

DRIVING IN THE RAIN, RUNNING THROUGH PUDDLES CAUSES MY SERPENTINE BELT TO COME OFF. HAD A MECHANIC PUT THE BELT BACK ON. NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BELT OR THE TENSION. APPARENTLY JUST GETTING THE BELT WET IS ENOUGH TO HAVE IT WALK OFF THE BOTTOM PULLEY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I OF COURSE LOSE MY POWER STEERING AND IT RUNS MY BATTERY DOWN.*AK

1999 FORD ESCORT, 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, STATION WAGON: OIL LEAKED THROUGH THE CAMSHAFT BOLTS INTO THE MANUAL CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, CAUSING IT TO GUM UP AND EVENTUALLY FAIL TO DISENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION. SYMPTOMS INCLUDED THE CAR LURCHING FORWARD WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE WITH THE CLUTCH FULLY DEPRESSED, AND A THUMPING SOUND WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED WHILE DRIVING. THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE BY KAYSER FORD IN MADISON WI; UNCLEAR WHAT WAS DONE WITH THE OLD PARTS.*JB

Mileage: 70,000

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

THE VEHICLE WAS VERY NOISY WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN THE ENGINE, HOWEVER IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. *AK PLASTIC WAS USED INSTEAD OF METAL. *SC *JB

I HAD TO PUT AN ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR LAST YEAR. NOW MY AC DOESN'T WORK AND I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AND PUT A NEW ALTERNATOR IN IT TOO. I HAVE HAD ISSUE AFTER ISSUE WITH MY ZX2. *JB

MY 1999 FORD ESCORT EXCESSIVELY STALLS, IDLES LOW AND ACTS LIKE IT IS CHOKING WHEN I HAVE COME TO A STOP OR I AM STARTING THE CAR. THE CAR STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT STOP LIGHTS. IT SEEMS LIKE WHEN THESE CARS REACH A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE THEY SHUTDOWN. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY HAD ME CHANGE THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR, THROTTLE BODY, REPLACE ENGINE MOUNTS, REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION TWICE AND THE CAR STILL STALLS AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO GO BAD. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON OTHER CONSUMERS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE TYPE AND HAVE NOTICED THAT THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE TYPE AND CONSUMERS NEED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MONEY SPENT ON REPAIRS. PLEASE HAVE THIS INVESTIGATED BECAUSE THE CARS ARE UNUSABLE AND DANGEROUS. THIS SUDDEN STALLS WHEN DRIVING CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *LA

BLOWN OR CRACKED HEAD GASKET PVC HOSE HOLE 62,000 RIDING ON FREEWAY NO INDICATION LIGHTS CAR LOST POWER

NHTSA#10003194/612956/606433/6092008/615400/615476/615381 ENGINE VIBRATION FELT THRU STEERING WHEEL WHILE IN GEAR

Mileage: 43,000

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER FELT VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT.*AK

Mileage: 41,000

AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL AND A FUEL INJECTION CLEANER, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH, AND VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT TO NO AVAIL. *AK

WE ARE HAVING A VIBRATION PROBLEM WITH OUR FORD ESCORT. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE WITH THE DESCRIPTION "IT'S IDLING ROUGH". THE SERVICE CENTER CAME BACK TO ME WITH A "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN" FROM FORD OUTLINING A PROCEDURE TO LIMIT VIBRATION. APPARENTLY, THE VIBRATION STEMS FROM INADEQUATE/IMPROPER ENGINE MOUNTS IN THIS MODEL ESCORT. THE SERVICE OUTLINED REQUIRES CHANGING THE TYPE OF PARTS USED IN MOUNTING THE ENGINE, AND THE TSB CONTAINS INSTRUCTIONS FOR MODIFICATIONS TO BE DONE BY THE REPAIR CENTER PRIOR TO INSTALLATION. FORD IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THIS SITUATION, AS THE TSB ALSO STATES THIS AFFECTS ESCORTS FROM 1997-2002, ESCORT ZX2 FROM 1998-2003, AND THE TRACER FROM 1997-1999. WE WERE TOLD THE REPAIR BILL TO FIX THIS WOULD BE $380.00! I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS DEFECT FIXED. I CONTACTED FORD, AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD "SORRY , WE'RE NOT GOING TO FIX THIS, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY." THE PROBLEM CAME TO MY ATTENTION BECAUSE EVERYTHIUNG IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT NOT SCREWED DOWN RATTLES LIKE A ONE-MAN-BAND. THIS HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE LAST YEAR, AND HAS BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO PROBLEMS IN THE ENGINE TUNING. THANKS TO A WELL-INFORMED SERVICE TECHNICIAN, I NOW KNOW THE REAL CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT LEFT UNCHECKED, THE VIBRATIONS COULD CAUSE MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE ON THE CAR, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME ACTION TAKEN TO SEE THAT FORD CORRECTS THIS DEFECTIVE PART ON MY CAR.*AK

THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

CONSUMER STATES CONECTING ROD TO THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE, CAUSSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Mileage: 60,000

SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY CAR AT 12,000 MILES, IT HAS SHAKEN AND VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. WHEN I RUN MY DEFROST OR A/C THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE AND MY CAR STALLS OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 30,000 MILES AND REPLACED EVERYTHING THE DEALERSHIP INSTRUCTED. ON JULY, 18, 2003 I MADE MY FINAL ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALER AND AGAIN SPECIFIED THE PROBLEM AND SHOWED THEM EXACTLY WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING. I PICKED IT UP LATER THAT AFTERNOON THEY HAD REPLACED THE VALVE AGAIN THAT I HAD JUST REPLACED IN JANUARY 2003. I TURNED ON MY CAR AND RAN THE A/C AND I SAW NO IMPROVEMENT. SO I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH A MANAGER WHO TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT MY CAR SHOULDN'T STALL ANYMORE BUT THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THEY CAN DO TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. BASICALLY, WE PURCHASED A $13,000 DOLLAR CAR THAT NEVER RAN RIGHT AND CAN NOT BE REMEDIED. NO ONE HAS A SOLUTION AND I'M EXPECTED TO BE SATISFIED WITH A CAR THAT SHAKES NON-STOP. IF FORD KNOWS THIS IS OCCURING THEY NEED TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS BEFORE THEY PURCHASE THE VEHICLE, INSTEAD OF LETTING THEM DRIVE AWAY IN A CAR THAT CAN NEVER BE FIXED. I HAVE LOST ALL RESPECT FOR FORD AND WILL NEVER PURCHASE A VEHICLE FROM THEM AGAIN. *AK

Mileage: 16,000

AT APPROX. 30000 MILES THE CAR HAD THE FIRST INCIDENT OF NOT STARTING (AUG. 2001). TOOK IT TO AUTO SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS MIGHT BE A ONE-TIME INCIDENT. ABOUT 1/2 YEAR LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. HAD IT TOWED TO AUTO SHOP, THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME TO CALL THEM IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN LATE 2002 AND I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER AUTO SHOP. THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE REASON EITHER - EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE AND AFTER A WHILE IT STARTED AGAIN AND WAS RUNNING NORMALLY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN LATE JANUARY 2003 AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LATTER AUTO SHOP. THEY REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND TOLD ME EVERYTHING SHOULD BE FINE. LATE FEBRUARY 2003 THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CAR IS AT THE AUTO SHOP - THEY ARE TRYING TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. ON AND OFF IT WILL START. ALL CHECK DATES - EVERY 5000 MILES - HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED AND THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF AT ALL TIMES. NOW, I AM AFRAID OF DRIVING IT - BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, THAT AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE I HAVE TO FACE THIS PROBLEM. *JB

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD THE MECHANIC FIX IT THREE MONTHS AGO AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR

WHILE DRIVING A FLUTTERING SOUND IS HEARD UPON ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE ALSO VIBRATES, THIS IS NOTICEABLE WHEN IN MOTION AND AT A STOP. NLM

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE VIOLENTLY AND STALL ON OCCASIONS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, HOWEVER MECHANIC HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK *NLM

SEVERE VIBRATION WHEN IDLING, DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT VEHICLE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

VEHICLE VIBRATES VIOLENTLY BECAUSE ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND COUNLD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK

CAR BECOMES IDLE THEN SHUDDERS/VIBRATES (REPEATS) WHEN STOPPING. CAR NOW STALLING OCCASIONALLY WHEN STOPPED AND HAS STALLED WHILE DOING 35 MPH. PROBLEMS STARTED LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. CAR IN THE SHOP ON 6-7 OCCASIONS TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS - CAR STILL NOT FIXED. SINCE THE CAR HAS STALLED DURING MOTION, CONSUMER FEELS VERY UNSAFE, ESPECIALLY ON THE FREEWAYS. THE PROBLEMS ARE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I AM UNSATISFIED WITH NOT ONLY THE CAR QUALITY, BUT THE MECHANICAL AND CUSTOMER SERVICE.*AK. CONSUMER STATES SEVERAL COMPONETS WERE REPLACED THAT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND THEN THE PROBLEM RESURFACED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING AND THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING NOISES AND WOULD THEN STALL, THE DEALER STATED THE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE LOOSE THAT WAS CAUSING THE VIBRATIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED ALONG WITH THE STALLING.*JB

THERE IS A KNOCKING IN ENGINE, WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN, LOUDER THE KNOCKING GETS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM WAS UNDERNEATH HOOD WHERE THE BEARINGS WERE. ALSO, DEAL HAS BEEN CONTACTED FOR A REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE BLOCK/ HEAD AND CYCLINDER, BUT THAT STILL HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

A GRINDING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA OF THE VEHICLE, THEN WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 MPH, GRINDING NOISE OCCURRED AGAIN, AND DRIVER LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL OF VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED VEHICLE AS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK

MOTOR DIED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. CONSUMER HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS ALTERNATOR. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT DEALER HAS REPLACED 4 ALTERNATORS/ ONE STARTER, AND A BATTERY. CONSUMER IS AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHCLE IN FEAR THAT IT MAY STALL AGAIN. *AK

VEHICLE HAS STALLED 5 TIMES, AT ANY SPEED. DEALER HAS REPLACED ALTERNATOR 4 TIMES/ STARTER, AND BATTERY ONCE. CANNOT REMEDY. CONSUMER IS AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE.*AK

CAR COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN @ A BUSY INTERSECTION WHILE IN MOTION. *AK

VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN A YEAR WHEN A METALIC KNOCKING NOISE STARTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE LIFTERS & OTHER PARTS HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE BEGINING OF THE YEAR 2000. CAR STILL HAS THE NOISE AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND THE FORD INTERNATIONAL STILL DOES NOT WANT TO CLAIM THE VEHICLE A DEFECT. THE SECOND BAND OF THE TRANSMISION BROKE INTO MANY PARTS AND THE TECHNITION OF BAYAMON FORD SAID IT WAS THE FIRST TIME HE HAD SEEN THIS ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. HE HAS SEEN THIS IN EXPLORER & EXPEDITIONS, BUT NOT ON FORD ESCORTS. BAYAMON FORD NOR AUTO VEGA HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIX THIS THIS PROBLEM IN MORE THAN A YEAR. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT ANOTHER RECURRING PROBLEM IN THIS CAR IS THAT THE HEADLIGHT SOCKET KEEPS MELTING. THIS IS A FIRE HAZZARD AND IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AFTER REPLACEMENT OF HEADLIGHT FIXTURE. I NOTICED THAT THE NEGATIVE WIRE IS THINNER THAN BOTH OF THE POSITIVE WIRES, THUS CAUSING THE OVER HEATING & CAUSING IT TO MELT. ANOTHER RECURRING PROBLEM IS THAT ABOUT EVERY 6 MONTHS I HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE FRONT STRUTS BECAUSE THEY ARE SHOT. I WOULD LIKE TO GET A TECHNITION TO PROPERLY DO ITS JOB AND NOT TO PUT MYSELF OR OTHER PEOPLE IN DANGER BECAUSE HE/SHE DOES NOT WANT TO BLOW THE WHISTLE ON A PROBLEM.

WHEN VEHICLE PURCHASED ENGINE VIBRATED WHILE HEATING AND AC SYSTEM ON. BROUGH TO DEALER 4-5 TIMES STATE NORMAL. FINALLY ENGINE REMOVED PLACED ON MOUNT AND AS A RESULT ENGINE KNOCKS AT START UP. BROUGHT TWICE TO DEALER, CLAIM IT IS NORMAL CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. STILL UNDER WARRANTY.

AFTER MY 3RD APMT FOR ENGINE CLUNKING NOISE IT IS STILL CLUNKING!*AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO DEPRESS GAS PEDAL TO FLOORBOARD TO GAIN HIGHWAY SPEED. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT AIR WAS GETTING IN ENGINE WHICH CAUSED IT TO LOSE POWER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

OCCASIONAL LOSS OF POWER, THEN SURGES FORWARD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC, SOMETIMES RUNS ROUGH AND STALLS. SOMETIMES IDLES ROUGH AND STALLS AT IDLE.

DEALER AGREES TO REPLACE ENGINE. I BOUGHT A NEW CAR NOT ONE THAT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AT 12000 MILES

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE COMPLETELYSHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES AND CONTROL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER COULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHEN AC IS ON AT STEADY HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCES SURGING INTERMITTENTLY, UNABLE TO RECTIFY PROBLEMS. MJS

VIBRATION OCCURRED AT IDLE WHILE STOPPED AT RED LIGHTOR STOP SIGN WITH TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE GEAR. VIBRATION IS FELT IN DRIVER'S SEAT/STEERING WHEEL AND FLOORBOARD. VIBRATION APPEARS TO BE CAUSED BY ENGINE IDLE BEING TOO SLOW AND VIBRATING THROUGH DRIVER'S COMPARTMENT. ENGINE WA SCLOSE TO STALLING ONA COUPLE OF OCCASIONS. *AK

ON-GOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING WHENEVER VEHICLE CAME DOWN TO A SLOW SPEED OR AT A STOP AND PRESSING ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. *AK *ML

THE VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE INTERMITTENTLY, AND WILL START UP IMMEDIATELY AFTER. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. WHEN TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING GEARS IT SHIFTS LOUD AND HARD. EEC TEST FOUND TR SENSOR OUT OF RANGE AND CONNECTION FULL OF WATER. REPAIRS WERE MADE BUT PROBLEM STILL EXIST. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH CAR SUDDENLY CUTOFF/STALLED WHEN TRYING TO START BACK UP.DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

WHEN DRIVING UP HILLS, THE ENGINE CUTS OFF CAUSING FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS TO GET ON LEVELED PAVEMENT IN ORDER TO BACK UP. DEALER CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. *AK *ML

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE STALLING. VEHICLE WOULD STALL NO MATTER WHAT THE SPEED MAY BE WHILE MOVING OR AT A STOP. VEHICLE BEEN INSPECTED ON SIX OCCASIONS BY DEALER, AND PROBLEM STILL GOES UNRESOLVED. SEEKING HELP OR PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING WINDSHIELD WIPERSHEAD LIGHTS, AND BRAKES TO GO OUT DURING A THUNDERSTORM. DEALER SAID ENGINE NEEDED REPLACING. *AK

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE HESITATING/STALLING WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-70 MPH. VEHICLE BEEN INSPECTED / REPAIRED ON SEVEN DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING ELSE COULD BE FOUND. SEEKING NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. DEALER SINCE FOUND PROBLEM WITH THE REVELATOR BUT HAS NO SOLUTION. *AK

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED VIBRATION, POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *YC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCE VIBRATION BEFORE IT COMPLETELY CUTS OFF, DEALER CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM. *YC

THE ENGINE STALLS CONTINUALLY WHILE DRIVING, DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. *ET

SINCE THE CAR WAS FIRST BOUGHT THE ENGINE HAS BEEN EXTREMELY LOUD AS WELL AS SHAKING OCCASIONALLY WHEN STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I SPOKE WITH MY SALESPERSON, WHO WAS FRIENDLY AND TOOK IT ON A TEST DRIVE AGAIN, AND HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG. HE SAID IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER, BUT TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AS A PRECAUTION. I WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY WOULD NOT SEE ME THEN SO I ASKED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A BETTER TIME. I WAS TOLD THAT NO APPOINTMENTS COULD BE MADE AND THEY ACCEPTED CARS ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS. SINCE NEITHER DEALER IS LOCATED CLOSE TO ME, I DECIDED TO WAIT A WHILE TO SEE IF IT WAS JUST THE WEATHER. IN FEBRUARY, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF FOR 2 DAYS AND SINCE THEN IT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON FOR A WHILE, AND SOMETIMES IT WILL TURN OFF AFTER A FEW DAYS. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN BECAUSE I DON'T WANT IT TO COME OUT UNEXPECTEDLY OR TO FAIL WHEN NEEDED. I WENT TO THE SAME LOCAL DEALER 2 DAYS AGO AND THEY WOULD NOT SEE ME. AT FIRST, THE MAN TRIED TO MAKE ME THINK IT WAS ALL IN MY HEAD, BUT AFTER INSISTING ON HAVING IT CHECKED OUT ANYWAY, HE TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT SEE ME AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. I EXPLAINED THAT I HAD TRIED TO BEFORE, BUT WAS TOLD I COULDN'T AND HE BASICALLY TOLD ME TO CALL LATER TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT. SINCE A FAILURE COULD CAUSE A TRAGIC ACCIDENT I DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN TO HAVE FORD CHECK THE CAR. IT IS ONLY 3 MONTHS OLD AND THIS IS THE 4TH TIME I HAVE HAD TO SEE ABOUT IT WHICH MAKES ME LEARY OF EITHER THE QUALITY OF FORDS OR THAT MY CAR IS NOT UP TO THE SAME SAFETY STANDARDS AS IT SHOULD BE. PLEASE HELP. I ALSO SAW ON THE NEWS LAST NIGHT THAT SEVERAL FORD CARS ARE BEING RECALLED NOW DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE MY CAR IS SAFE BEFORE ME OR SOMEONE ELSE GETS HURT. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE ME, AND PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT STEPS TO TAKE. *AK

CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STALLING. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN SEPT OF 98 AND HAS STALLED 5 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. THE DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

POOR MOTOR MOUNT CAUSED THE CAR TO VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING.