Fuel system
Filed Jul 7, 2023
The rubber fuel filler neck hose that connects the metal fuel filler neck to the gas tank failed for the first time in 2013. During fueling, a large pool of gasoline leaked onto the pavement under the vehicle, presenting an environmental and fire hazard. The filler neck hose was replaced with a Ford OEM hose purchased from a local Ford dealer in Sacramento, CA. The replacement hose failed in a similar manner the original hose in less than two years time - thus requiring replacement in 2015. A genuine Ford OEM replacement was obtained from a dealer in the Sacramento area and installed. This hose failed in less than 2 years time, in 2017. Again a replacement hose was obtained from a Sacramento area Ford dealer ind installed. This hose then failed in 2019 and was replaced with another Ford dealer-obtained part... which failed in 2021 and was replaced with another Ford dealer-obtained part. The hose has failed again in less than 2 years time. It is apparent that the replacement parts that Ford has been selling through their dealers are made of a material that is not suitable for the application. Since the original part lasted 16 years, it should be possible to make a replacement part last a similar period of time. The vehicle has been a 'one family' ownership since purchased new in 1997, so the service history is well known by the present owners. The (lack of quality) of this part presents a safety and environmental hazard. Similar quality issues have been reported by other owners of the same vehicle. It is likely that other vehicle models are experiencing similar issues if the supplier of this part is also supplying other similar parts. See Ford Escort Owners Association online forum (with search feature) to read about other's experiences with these parts - here's a few: https://www.feoa.net/threads/gas-filler-neck-hose-cracking.112610/post-1076796 https://www.feoa.net/threads/fuel-hose-tank-to-filler-neck-how-long-should-it-last.105585/post-995753
- NHTSA ID
- 11530867
- Incident
- Jul 7, 2023
Fuel system
Filed Feb 24, 2009
1997 FORD ESCORT RUBBER FILL PIPE DETERIORATES SPILLING GASOLINE ON GROUND WHEN REFILLING FUEL TANK. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10259840
- Incident
- Jan 17, 2009
- Mileage
- 125,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 17, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ESCORT. WHILE HE DRIVING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING THERE WERE FUEL FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES FOR THE FUMES TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. WHILE IDLING THE FUEL FUMES WERE WORSE UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE FUMES BECOME SO BAD AT TIMES THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER AND LET THE VEHICLE AIR OUT. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS THE PERCH VALVE INSIDE THE GAS TANK THAT RELEASED THE FUMES. THE FUEL PUMP WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAS NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 10139879
- Incident
- Oct 1, 2004
- Mileage
- 67,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 10, 2003
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP.*JB
- NHTSA ID
- 10011217
- Incident
- Mar 10, 2003
EngineFuel system
Filed May 7, 2001
HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ENGINE IDLING. LOUD NOISE SUCH AS METAL ON METAL EMINATED FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALER. ADVISED BY DEALER THAT PART POORLY DESIGNED AND NEW DESIGN IN STOCK FOR REPLACEMENT. THERMOSTAT REMAINED OPEN NOT ALLOWING ENGINE TO REACH OPERATING TEMPERATURE. WHEN REPLACED, THE ORIGINAL THERMOSTAT CAME OUT OF HOUSING IN THREE SEPARATE PIECES. FUEL PUMP MADE WHINING NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. REPLACED AT NO CHARGE. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 745039
- Incident
- May 5, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Apr 23, 2001
MY CONCERN IS THAT FORD MAY HAVE DEFAULTED FUEL TANKS FOR THIS CAR MODEL. I DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING, OR DO ANYTHING TO CAUSE MY FUEL TANK TO LEAK GAS. THE LEAK IS RIGHT ON THE SEAM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TANK, WHERE THE MANUFACTURER HAD PUT IT TOGETHER. I FILL UP MY TANK ONE DAY AND NOTICE GAS POURING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW LONG IT WAS LEAKING BEFORE I NOTICED IT, THEREFORE I WAS DRIVING AROUND A TIMEBOMB JUST WAITING TO BLOW UP. BY THE SIMPLE ACT OF SOMEONE FLICKING A CIGARETTE OUT OF THEIR WINDOW, OR IF SOMEONE RAN INTO ME. MY CAR COULD BLOW UP AT ANY TIME. THAT IS WHY I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT TO PREVENT SUCH DEATH FROM HAPPENING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.*AK
- NHTSA ID
- 744410
- Incident
- Apr 1, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Mar 22, 2001
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS REPAIRED, BUT PROBLEM RETURNED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
- NHTSA ID
- 883745
Fuel system
Filed Feb 12, 2001
FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 880347
BrakesFuel systemOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 30, 2000
WITHIN 4 MTHS HAD PROBLEM W/ TRANSMISSION, TOOK 4 MINS FOR DEALER TO SAY THERES NOTHING WRONG, WHEN I GOT MY NEW TIRES FOR PEPBOYS I HAD TO FIX MY BRAKES, TRANSMISSION,SUSPENSION, EVEN GOT SPEED TICKETS FOR NO REASON,I KEEP MY CAR IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND I STILL HAVE MY ENGINE LIGHT ON AND I HAVE ABOUT 70% OF THE SAME PROBLEMS OTHERS HAVE IN THE NHTSACMPLT SECTION. I THINK THE ESCORT SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR SO MANY UNSAFE PROBLEMS.( DOT NUMBER: UJ956KLP12 TIRE SIZE: P19570R14 )
- NHTSA ID
- 729526
- Incident
- Aug 18, 1997
ElectricalEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Jul 3, 2000
GAS GAUGE DOESN'T SHOW THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GAS ONCE IT REACHES 1/4 OF A TANK. *AK THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLS ON HIGHWAYS. THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM GOES ON FOR UNKNOWN REASON. THE HORN MALRUNCTIONS TOO. *YH
- NHTSA ID
- 864706
- Incident
- Jul 3, 2000
EngineFuel system
Filed Nov 11, 1999
HEAD GASKET FAILURE, RESULTING IN CRACKED PISTONS AND DAMAGED CRANK. FAILED FUEL PUMP/THERMOSTAT. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 714648
- Incident
- Aug 20, 1999
Fuel system
Filed Oct 21, 1999
SMELLED GAS FUMES IN CAR. BROUGHT TO DEALER. FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING DUE TO COMING APART AT THE SEAMS. TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $400.
- NHTSA ID
- 713658
- Incident
- Oct 20, 1999
Fuel system
Filed Oct 5, 1999
I BELIEVE THAT THE DASH HAS BEEN TAMPERED WITH AS THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THERE APPEARS TO BE VELCRO ATTACHED TO THE DASH
- NHTSA ID
- 712860
- Incident
- Sep 29, 1999
Fuel system
Filed Feb 12, 1999
THERE IS A HOLE IN GAS TANK WHICH MAKES A WAY FOR THE GAS TO GET OUT OF THE TANK. CONSUMER DOESN'T KNOW HOW OR WHEN THE HOLE GOT IN THE TANK. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 834788
- Incident
- May 12, 1997
Fuel system
Filed Jan 2, 1998
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HAD NOTICED A GAS ODOR & THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT HAD CAME ON. STOPPED VEHICLE & LIFTED HOOD. SMELLED & NOTICED SMOKE & FUMES COMING FROM ENGINE AREA. TOOK TO DEALER. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 821127
- Incident
- Dec 23, 1997
Fuel system
Filed Jun 17, 1996
THERE IS A BAD ODOR IN THE CAR , PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 985725
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.