RoadVitals

1993 Ford Escort Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
33
Latest Mar 31, 2007
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 379 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1993 Ford Escort submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 33 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 33, in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Mar 31, 2007

IN 1992 I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 1993 ESCORT GT SPARTANBURG, SC. THE 1ST PART OF THE YEAR EVERYTHING WAS FINE. AFTER, THE CAR WAS IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP TO DATE FOR HESITATION, FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEMS, ODD NOISES AND OTHER THINGS. I FILED FOR LEMON LAW IN 1993-94 IN TEXAS. WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REPLACE THE MOTOR, COULD TAKE UP TO A MONTH BEFORE I GOT THE CAR BACK. WHEN ASKED IF THEY WOULD SUPPLY A LOANER CAR I WAS TOLD NO. WITHOUT FINANCES TO RENT A CAR TO GET TO & FROM WORK (50 MLS DAILY) I COULD NOT ACCEPT THE OFFER AT THAT TIME WITHOUT THEM PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION. OVER THE YEARS, IT'S BEEN 1 PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. SINCE 1994, I REPLACED 3 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, NUMEROUS DIAGNOSTIC MACHINES TO FIND WHY IT WOULD STALL IN IDLE AND NO ACCELERATION AFTER CAR WARMED UP& OTHER THINGS. IN 1995, THE FUEL TANK DEVELOPED A CRACK AT SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN & THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED AT TOP OF TANK RESULTING IN FUMES & GAS LEAKING WHEN FILLED. THREE FORD DEALERSHIPS SAID ONLY 1992 FORD ESCORTS WERE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO EVEN THOUGH IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1992. THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT, DRIVER SIDE QUIT WORKING. WE REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE BUT STILL WON'T WORK. SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WIRING. TWO FORD DEALERSHIPS CAN'T FIX NOR TWO AUTO ELECTRICIANS. I CONTACTED FORD AGAIN UNDER LEMON LAW, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A ONE TIME OFFER. SINCE I REFUSED THE FIRST OFFER, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. RECOMMENDED I SELL THE CAR AND BUY ANOTHER ONE. I CAN NOT POSSIBLY PUT THESE PROBLEMS ON SOMEONE ELSE? THIS WAS TOTALLY UNETHICAL. I"VE BEEN LOYAL TO FORD SINCE IN MY TEENS. THIS IS MY 2ND FORD ESCORT & MY FIRST/ONLY NEW VEHICLE I EVER OWNED. I STILL HAVE THE CAR & WOULD REALLY LIKE FORD TO DO RIGHT BY ME IN THIS SITUATION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10186626
Incident
Jun 1, 1994
Mileage
6,000 mi
BrakesEngineSuspension+1 more
Filed Aug 16, 2005

DT: PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AT A USED LOT. AFTER 90 DAYS THE TRANSMISSION PUMP WENT OUT. BOUGHT IT WITH 48,000 MILES. WENT TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANIC SHOPS, AND THEY SAID IT HAD TOO MUCH WEAR FOR THAT AMOUNT OF MILEAGE. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAME OFF, THE SHOCKS WERE BAD, THE TIRES WERE AL DEFECTIVE, AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE DEALER FROM WHO THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WAS OUT BUSINESS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10133008
Incident
Oct 29, 2004
Mileage
48,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesEngine+1 more
Filed Dec 6, 2004

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS. THE BELT WILL TIGHTEN INADVERTENTLY, FEELING AS IF CONSUMER WAS BEING CHOKED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIRS WILL COST $400.00. *AK....ALSO, FRONT FENDER AND MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE ABOVE THE FENDER IS PEELING PAINT, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND GOES OFF WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES AT STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT OR WHENEVER CONSUMER APPLIES THE BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10103195
Incident
Dec 15, 2003
Mileage
27,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jan 14, 2004

VEHICLE'S RPMS STAY HIGH AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED. *MR THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE PEDAL WASN'T STICKY NOR WAS THE THROTTLE CABLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RARELY ILLUMINATED. THIS PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING DURING COLD WEATHER (BELOW 0 DEGREES). THE RPMS REVVED HIGH AND CONTINUED TO RISE WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE "SOLVED" THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW MINUTES OR UNTIL THE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THE AIR INTAKE VALVE WAS CLEANED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. *PH *NM

NHTSA ID
10054041
Incident
Dec 18, 2003
Mileage
180,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 14, 2002

ENGINE PROBLEMS USUALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE REFUSE TO SPEED UP, THE RPM INDICATOR WILL TURN, THE ENGINE WILL RUN, BUT THE FORWARD MOTION JUST DIES. FIXED BY PULLING OVER AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE. FEELS LIKE A DESIGN PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
9005426
Body & structureEngine
Filed Aug 15, 2001

WHILE TRAVELING HEARD NOISE FROM UNDER VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND TECHNICIAN STATED THAT CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK HEAT SHIELDS ARE COMING LOOSE AND ARE RATTLING, TSB 98-20-10 HAS BEEN ISSUED, HOWEVER MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR. *SLC

NHTSA ID
894435
Engine
Filed Apr 5, 2001

PLEASE REFER TO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS 95185, 95153 AND 95132. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE MODE ON MY CAR. AS NOTED AND CLEARLY STATED IN THE TSB'S, THIS IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. FORD REFUSES TO PROVIDE A FREE FIX AND OR RECALL TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION FOR OUT OF WARRANTY CARS. I COULD ALSO MAKE A CASE THAT THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD IN THAT A PERSON EXPERIENCING THIS FAILURE WOULD LIKELY THINK THAT THEY WERE HAVING AN ENGINE FAILURE CAUSING THEM TO DIVE OF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY. IMAGINE BEING IN TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL FO A SUDDEN SEEING YOUR TEMP GAUGE MAX TO THE HIGH SIDE AND STAY THERE! FORD REPAIR UTILIZING THE "REPAIR" KIT FOR THIS PROBLEM IS OVER $350.NO SAFETYD EFECT MENTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ID
743570
Incident
Mar 1, 2001
Engine
Filed Oct 12, 2000

VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY AT ANY SPEED.*AK

NHTSA ID
872873
Incident
Oct 12, 1998
Engine
Filed Oct 12, 2000

THE VEHICLE STALLS AND MY MECHANIC IS NOT ABLE TO FIND OUT WHY

NHTSA ID
734114
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 31, 2000

SMELLED OF GAS, UPON GETTING OUT OF THE CAR NOTICE GAS POURING FROM THE CAR, SEAT DONT LOCK PROPERLY, HEAD GASKET REPLACED

NHTSA ID
9000921
Incident
May 27, 2000
EngineInterior & seatsSeat belts+1 more
Filed May 1, 2000

TIMING BELT FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ID
552036
Engine
Filed Apr 4, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
721024
Incident
Aug 13, 1996
Engine
Filed Jul 6, 1999

WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO A BROKEN ROD WHICH DAMAGED OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
841664
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed May 12, 1999

IDLES HIGH AFTER GOING SHORT DISTANCES AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BYPASS VALVE AND THE THROTTLE . *AK

NHTSA ID
837830
Engine
Filed Nov 13, 1998

DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE HEAD GASKET THAT BURNT OUT THE ENGINE PISTONS AND PUSH RODS BLEW OUT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
830737
Incident
Sep 1, 1998
Engine
Filed Aug 25, 1998

WHILE THE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE PULLEY ON THE CRANKSHAFT THAT DRIVES THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS PUSHED OUT TOWARD THE FRAME OF THE CAR, CAUSING THE BELT TO COME OFF. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED BY A MECHANIC. MECHANIC STATED TO CONSUMER THAT PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. *AK

NHTSA ID
826376
Incident
Aug 3, 1998
Engine
Filed Aug 5, 1998

WHILE DRIVING THE RUBBER MOUNT THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE CRANKSHAFT: PULLEY SLIPPED, CAUSING THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO CRACK, CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO TWIST UP, RESULTING IN A BROKEN TIMING BELT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID
826278
Incident
Jun 25, 1998
EngineSteering
Filed May 18, 1998

WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY & NOTICED STEERING WAS HARD. PULLED OVER. ANOTHER MOTORIST LIFTED HOOD & NOTICED THAT A BELT WAS BROKEN. CALLED A TOW TRUCK & VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC CHECKED UNDERHOOD & NOTICED POWER STEERING SHAFT HAD SNAPPED. ALSO, THE BOLTS HOLDING THE PULLEY FOR SERPENTINE BELT HAD BROKEN COMPLETELY. *AK

NHTSA ID
823415
Incident
Apr 12, 1998
Engine
Filed Dec 27, 1997

PULLEY SEPARATES, BREAKS POWER STEERING BELT AND RUBS AGAINST THE FRAME AND CAUSES SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING.

NHTSA ID
527551
Incident
Jul 17, 1997
Engine
Filed Dec 18, 1997

PRESSURE FEEDBACK EGR SENSOR AND EGR VACUUM RECULATOR MISSING, NEVER INSTALLED ON VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
527451
Engine
Filed Oct 20, 1997

ENGINE SHUTS OFF.

NHTSA ID
523690
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Sep 30, 1997

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN SURGE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD INTO THE CROSSWALK, TP SENSOR REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
522848
Incident
Aug 27, 1997
BrakesEngineTransmission
Filed Aug 15, 1997

CAR STALLS.

NHTSA ID
521052
Incident
Oct 1, 1996
BrakesEngineSuspension+1 more
Filed Jul 11, 1997

BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA ID
519354
Engine
Filed May 20, 1997

HEAD GASKET FAILED DUE TO OVER TORQUED BOLT.

NHTSA ID
517307
Incident
May 7, 1997

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .