1991 Ford Escort Problems

AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS AND STILL BESIDE THE GAS PUMPS I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE CAR KEPT CRANKING BUT NOT STARTING. TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF AND CAR KEPT CRANKING. PULLED THE KEY OUT AND CAR KEPT CRANKING. PUT THE KEY BACK IN AND GOT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE WHILE CRANKING AND IT STOPPED. TURNED KEY AND VEHICLE STARTED (IN DRIVE MODE). VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP CRANKING IN PARK OR NEUTRAL MODES BUT WILL IN DRIVE MODE. WITH NO KEY VEHICLE TRIES TO START IN BOTH PARK AND NEUTRAL. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS SCARED WHEN IT KEPT CRANKING BESIDE THE GAS STATION TANKS THINKING I WAS GOING TO END UP BLOWING UP THE STATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD ESCORT LX. THE CONTACT POURED BRAKE FLUID INTO THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE BLED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION, AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS SPEWING FORTH POWER STEERING FLUID. THE ALTERNATOR WAS LOPSIDED AND ITS SCREWS WERE MISSING. THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS REMOVED AND THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW THE REASON. WHEN SHE ARRIVED HOME AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO RESTART AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE WOULD SEND A TOW, BUT ONE NEVER ARRIVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS INOPERATIVE. LAP BELT DOES NOT RESTRAIN. *TR

LOST CONTROL ON WET ROAD HIT TREE HEAD-ON AND SEAT BELT CAME OUT OF TRACK ALLOWED DRIVER TO BE DECAPITATED. *NM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD ESCORT. FATIGUE CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN TUBE AND THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THERE MUST HAVE BEEN AN INTERNAL FIRE CAUSED BY THE FAILURE, BECAUSE THE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 92V117000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 151000.

1. MY 1991 FORD ESCORT LX STATION WAGON DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK AROUND THE FUEL TANK. 2. IT OCCURS EVERY TIME I ADD FUEL TO THE TANK. 3. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO FORD, INCLUDING THE EXISTENCE OF A RECALL NOTICE (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA92012; NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 92V117000)). FORD HAS IGNORED THE RECALL LETTER, CLAIMING THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL LETTER, AND ... IN GENERAL GIVING ME THE RUNAROUND. FRANKLY, I'M MAD AS '!@#$%. THIS PROBLEM IS A FIRE HAZARD, AND FORD IS REFUSING TO ADDRESS IT!!!!! WHAT CAN I DO?? THANKS! KES *TR

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STICK IN PARK AND WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN PARK POSTION ON AN INCLINE, CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. GEAR SHIFT WAS STILL IN PARK.*AK

THE ACCELERATOR STUCK TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE IN FULL THROTTLE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. FORTUNATELY IT WAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND OUT OF GEAR WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. I HAD STOMPED ON THE GAS PEDAL BY MISTAKE. I SEARCHED THE FLOOR AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR ANYTHING THAT MAY HAVE PREVENTED THE ACCELERATOR FROM DISENGAGING AND FOUND NO APPARENT REASON FOR THE PHENOMENON. *TR

FATALITY INVOLVING 1991 FORD ESCORT. *MR THE CONSUMERS AUNT WAS DRIVING AND WAS SEVERELY INJURED AND THE CONSUMERS MOTHER WAS KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED OR CORRECTED FOR THE PROBLEM. (INSPECT THE BOLT LENGTH BEFORE DRIVEN OR DEMONSTRATED OR DELIVERED THE VEHICLE UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN INSPECTED) THIS WAS THE CONSUMER'S AUNT'S FIRST ACCIDENT UNTIL THE PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR. THE THROTTLE LINKAGE WAS POSSIBLY DEFECTIVE. RECALL# 90V076000 *SC THERE WAS ALSO A LEAKAGE PRESENT AT THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER UPON INSPECTION. *JB

THE ACCELERATOR STUCK TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE IN FULL THROTTLE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. FORTUNATELY IT WAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND OUT OF GEAR WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. I HAD STOMPED ON THE GAS PEDAL BY MISTAKE. I SEARCHED THE FLOOR AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR ANYTHING THAT MAY HAVE PREVENTED THE ACCELERATOR FROM DISENGAGING AND FOUND NO APPARENT REASON FOR THE PHENOMENON. *TR

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. *SLC

DT: 1991, FORD, ESCORT HATCHBACK. CONSUMER'S WIFE CAME HOME YESTERDAY, AND SAID SHE SMELLED SMOKE. CONSUMER CHECKED VEHICLE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIRD BRAKE LIGHT LOCATED AT TOP OF REAR WINDOW SMOKED WHEN BRAKE WAS PRESSED. CONSUMER TOOK LIGHT APART, AND FOUND SAME PART AT A JUNK YARD. CONSUMER REPLACED HEAT SHIELD AND HALOGEN BULB WITH ONE FROM JUNK YARD. CONSUMER CALLED FORD AND GAVE FORD INFORMATION ABOUT THE INCIDENT. FORD TOLD CONSUMER THERE WERE NO RECALLS, BUT THEY WERE GOING TO TURN IT IN TO ENGINEERING. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT A LOWER WATT, COOLER BULB WOULD KEEP LIGHT FROM CAUSING FIRE.*AK BULB HOUSING HAD HOLE MELTED THROUGH IT. REPLACED HOUSING WITH GOOD HEAT SHIELD (ORIGINAL HEAT SHIELD HAD BURNED OFF CAUSING THE PROBLEM).*SB

FATALITY INVOLVING 1991 FORD ESCORT. *MR THE CONSUMERS AUNT WAS DRIVING AND WAS SEVERELY INJURED AND THE CONSUMERS MOTHER WAS KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED OR CORRECTED FOR THE PROBLEM. (INSPECT THE BOLT LENGTH BEFORE DRIVEN OR DEMONSTRATED OR DELIVERED THE VEHICLE UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN INSPECTED) THIS WAS THE CONSUMER'S AUNT'S FIRST ACCIDENT UNTIL THE PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR. THE THROTTLE LINKAGE WAS POSSIBLY DEFECTIVE. RECALL# 90V076000 *SC THERE WAS ALSO A LEAKAGE PRESENT AT THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER UPON INSPECTION. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD ESCORT LX. THE CONTACT POURED BRAKE FLUID INTO THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE BLED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION, AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS SPEWING FORTH POWER STEERING FLUID. THE ALTERNATOR WAS LOPSIDED AND ITS SCREWS WERE MISSING. THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS REMOVED AND THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW THE REASON. WHEN SHE ARRIVED HOME AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO RESTART AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE WOULD SEND A TOW, BUT ONE NEVER ARRIVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

STEERING WHEEL UNEXPECTEDLY LOCKS UP DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE WHILE IDLING OR TRAVELING 40 MPH AROUND A LONG CURVE. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM, AND WAS NOT SHOWING THIS VEHICLE BEING INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 93V057000 (IGNITION: ANTI-THEFT). PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION. *AK

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING A 1991 FORD ESCORT IN DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH WHEN SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD BEHIND THE SPEEDOMETER SECTION. SHE PULLED OVER AND EXITED THE CAR AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE SMOKE CEASED AND A POLICE OFFICER STOPPED BY TO ASSIST. HE REMAINED TO DIRECT TRAFFIC UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK CAME TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO MY HOUSE. THE VEHICLE HAS LIABILITY INSURANCE ONLY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE SMOKE FOR A FEW DAYS. I NEEDED MORE INFORMATION IN HOW TO GET BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. UPON OPENING THE DASHBOARD, I FOUND THE WIRING BUNDLE LEADING TO THE DASHBOARD METERING WAS MELTED INTO A BUNDLE AND THE WIRES WERE NOT DISTINGUISHABLE IN COLOR ANY MORE. THE MELTED SECTION OF WIRING WAS FURTHER FOUND IN LEADING INTO THE LARGER BUNDLE GOING DEEPER INTO THE DASHBOARD AND INTO THE ENGINE WELL. I CONTACTED FORD CONCERNING THIS AND WAS REFERED BY THEM TO MY INSURANCE AGENT. THE CONSUMER SAFETY COMMISSION SENT ME IN YOUR DIRECTION. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO BESIDES TRASH THE CAR?*AK

VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND DRIVER'S SEATBACK COLLAPSED COMPLETELY. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO TURN. THERE WAS A RECALL 94E019000 WHICH DESCRIBED THE EXACT PROBLEM, THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED. *JB

CONSUMER PUT GROCERY IN THE BACK OF VEHICLE, AND NOTICED REAR END RIDING LOW, AND WAS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE. CONSUMER TOOK A LOOK UNDERNEATH AND NOTICED REAR SPRING BROKE AND SHIFTED INWARD OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER FOUND OUT FROM JUNKYARD THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ESCORTS. *AK *SLC

SEATBELTS: THE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT STICK IN THE TRACK, USUALLY HALF WAY BETWEEN OPEN & CLOSE. NOW THEY WILL NOT OPERATE AT ALL. I TOOK ONE APART & THE PLASTIC COVERING THE CABLE IS DETERIORATING & CAUSING THE CABLE TO STICK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS YOUR ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY. YOU CAN HAVE MY SEATBELT ASSEMBLE FOR INSPECTION, AS I WILL HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW ONE FOR MY SPOUSE'S SAFETY. FUEL: THIS CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL #92S54, AS THE PRODUDUCTION DATE WAS TOO EARLY, BUT IT HAS THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. I HAVE ALREADY CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM WITH A NEW FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. YOU MAY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS PART FOR YOUR INSPECTION AS WELL. LAST BUT NOT LEAST: HEADLIGHT: CLOUDY, YELLOW, AND DO NOT ALLOW LIGHT ON THE ROAD. VERY HAZARDOUS. I HAVE NOTICED THIS IS TYPICAL ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT FORD CARS & TRUCKS. I HAVE PURCHASED A SET FROM THE LOCAL WRECKING YARD, BUT DO NOT HAVE THE HEADLIGHT FOR YOU TO INSPECT. I THREW THEM AWAY. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

SPEEDOMETER CABLE IS LEAKING FLUID AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. OPERATION OF SPEEDOMETER HAS NOT BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER SAID, THE FIRST RPLACEMENT WAS TRADED BACK IN FOR ANOTHER REPLACEMENT DUE TO IT NOT WORKING. THE SECOND REPLACEMENT IS IN THE VEHICLE NOW STILL ALLOWS IT TO LEAK. *YH

STARTER KEPT ENGAGING WITH ENGINE RUNNING, WIRES UNDERHOOD BURNED OUT, FUSE STILL INTACT, NO SAFETY DEVICE TO CUT OFF SWITCH. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE STARTER SOLENOID WAS STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, THIS CAUSED A STRANGE SOUND UNDER THE HOOD, CONSUMER SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND REMOVED THE KEY, THE STARTER CONTINUED TO TURN THE ENGINE, THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN COLD ENGINE STARTS TWICE THE STARTER DISENGAGED AFTER 3 OR 4 MINTUES AFTER THE FOURTH TIME IT THEN RETURNED TO NORMAL AS CONSUMER KEPT DRIVING TO THE STOP, THE NEXT MORNING MECHANIC STARTED IT UP AND THE WIRES WERE BURNED AND CHARRED AND OTHER DAMAGE OCCURED INCLUDING THE TACHOMETER.*JB

ALSO, MY ESCORT HAS HAD A WATER LEAK FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. WHEN I CONTACT KEY FOR, I WAS TOLD THAT NO OTHER REPORTS OF THIS KIND HAD BEEN MADE. WHEN I CONTACTED A LOCAL BODY SHOP, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS COMMON IN ESCORTS AND THAT THE FORD COMPANY WAS AWARE OF THIS, BUT NO EFFORT WAS BEING DONE TO CORRECT IT. IN THE MEANTIME, I RUN AROUND WITH A CATHS LITTER BOX IN MY CAR SO WHEN IT RAINS MOST OF THE WATER GETS IN THE LITTER BOX AND NOT ON MY FLOOR BOARD. HAVE ANY REPORTS OF THIS NATURE BEEN MADE?

POWER DOOR LOCKS DON'T WORK PROPERLY. ALSO, IGNITION LOCK MOVES AROUND AND KEY DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. *AK

HUB CAPS NEVER STAYED ON THE RIMS ALWAYS FELL OFF DEFECTIVE. *AK

TIRE SIZE 175R7013, REPLACEMENT TIRE, DOT NUMBER NOT AVAILABLE, TIRES HAVE 40 THOUSAND MILES ON THEM, AND HAVE EIGHTY PERCENT OF TREAD LIFE AVAILABLE. CONSUMER HAS NOTICED BUBBLES FORMING ON BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. *AK *SLC

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. *SLC

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY REAR WINDOW CAME OUT. HAD NO PRIOR WARNING. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER & INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THE REAR WINDOW. *AK

I WAS DRIVING ON 295 NOT SURE NORTH OR SOUTH, GETTING READY TO GET OF THE HIGHWAY AT EXIT 11. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE EXIT THEY WHERE A POT HOLE IN THE ROAD, I HIT THE POTHOLE AND PUT A BIG DENT IN MY FRONT RIGHT RIM (RIMS WHERE CUSTOM 16" X 7") THEN TIRE WENT FLAT. *AK

CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE FIXED AFTER AN ACCIDENT AND NOTICED THAT LUGS: NUTS AND BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE CAR. *AK

DESIGN OF MOTOR RESTAINT WILL ALWAYS FAIL. UPON RETRACTION, RUBBERIZED CORD WILL EVENTUALLY PULL OUT!