Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Steering 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.
22
Latest Apr 30, 2008
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.
4%
of 543 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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Ford Escort submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 22 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 steering
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
BrakesElectricalSteering+2 more
Filed Apr 30, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ESCORT. WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END BALL JOINTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, DRUMS, AND FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER HAVE BOTH BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, BUT SHE DOES NOT TRUST THAT THE SPEEDOMETER IS CURRENTLY WORKING PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 06-03/08. *LJ THE TIE ROD END, REAR SPRING, WINDSHIELD, UPPER BALL JOINT, ODOMETER KNOB, REAL PASSENGER SEAL WERE ALL REPLACED. UPDATED 05/30/08
NHTSA ID
10226312
Incident
Apr 30, 2008
Mileage
115,000 mi
EngineSteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 28, 2005
WHILE DRIVING , THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIE ROD AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *JB CONSUMER FEELS THAT SHE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE'S REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE AT 16219 MILES. THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AT 16279 MILES AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED CAUSING NOISE. *BF *NM
NHTSA ID
10092438
Incident
Sep 16, 2004
Mileage
32,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Sep 10, 2004
CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND VEHICLE SHOOK WHEN IN REVERSE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY TOLD HER TIE RODS WERE DEFECTIVE. ANOTHER DEALER TOLD HER IT WAS THE MOTOR MOUNTS. *AK
NHTSA ID
10091851
Incident
Sep 10, 2004
SteeringSuspension
Filed May 21, 2003
I BOUGHT A 1997 FORD ESCORT WAGON NEW AND LOVE IT AND HAS ONLY 30000 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY I HAD A PROBLEM WITH STEERING THE VEHICLE SO I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME I NEEDED NEW TIE ROD ENDS AND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. AS I DO NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE HARD AND DO NOT HAUL ANYTHING EXCEPT MY PUPPY AND GROCERIES, I HAD A HARD TIME BELIEVING THIS. SO I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER GARAGE AND ANOTHER MECHANIC TOLD ME THE SAME THING AND SHOWED IT TO ME. I AM NO LONGER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS UNSAFE AND THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE PLACED ON A RECALL LIST AND FIXED BY FORD FREE OF CHARGE. NEITHER ME OR MY HUSBAND HAVE EVER HAD THIS HAPPEN AND WE FEEL THAT DEFINITELY THIS HAS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE SO THAT I CAN KNOW WHICH DIRECTION TO PURSUE THIS MATTER, A.E., NEWSPAPERS, TV STATIONS, ETC. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *JB
NHTSA ID
10019069
Incident
May 21, 2003
Mileage
30,123 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed May 17, 2003
REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE CRACKED - BOTH SIDES. VEHICLE ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. USED IN PRIMARILY IN CITY, RUNNING ERRANDS - FOR RETIRED COUPLE. ALSO: LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END IS WORN OUT AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAUSES A VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND ALSO RATTLES WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS (<1") AT LOW SPEEDS (<10 MPH). *JB
NHTSA ID
10018833
Incident
Apr 15, 2003
Mileage
60,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 6, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT 10MPH ON FLAT SURFACE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AKTHERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE FROM THE BELTS. *JG
NHTSA ID
8015645
Incident
Jul 24, 2002
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 4, 2002
WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE TECHNICIAN INFORMED CONSUMER THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK THE REAR SPRING AND TOP MOUNT FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THE REAR COIL SPRINGS FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. BOTH TIE RODS FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *YH
NHTSA ID
8010973
Incident
May 26, 2002
SteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 13, 2002
WENT IN FOR REPAIR TO BAD SPOT ON TIRE. MECHANIC FOUND THAT ALL 4 GAS STRUTS AND BOTH SETS OF COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH A TIE ROD, AND ALL 4 TIRES. I HAD NOT STRUCK ANYTHING AT ALL TO CAUSE THIS, AND ALL OF THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS WOULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF THEY FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. $ 1136.48 IN REPAIRS AFTER ONLY 30K MILES IS COMPLETELY UNCONSCIONABLE!!
NHTSA ID
758186
Incident
Jan 7, 2002
Steering
Filed Feb 12, 2002
WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL DUE TO FAILURE OF TIE ROD END. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ID
8003955
Incident
Feb 3, 2002
EngineSteering
Filed Jul 4, 2001
CRANKSHAFT PULLY SEPARATED FROM ENGINE BLOCK, CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 30M MILES.*AK
NHTSA ID
747782
Incident
Jun 27, 2001
Steering
Filed Jun 27, 2001
FRONT LEFT TIE ROD WAS REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP BECAUSE COMPONENT WAS EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE WEAR, AND WERE VERY NOISY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. *AK LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA ID
891474
Incident
Jun 15, 2001
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 23, 2001
BOTH REAR SPRINGS & RIGHT REAR OUTER TIE ROD BROKE. *AK
NHTSA ID
739837
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Steering
Filed Dec 7, 2000
IGNITION LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT UNLOCK UNTIL THE STERRING WHEEL IS PULLED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT SEVERAL TIMES. THE STERRING WHEEL AND COLUMN IS LOCKED UP AND THE IGNITION WILL NOT WORK. *AK
NHTSA ID
737453
Incident
Dec 2, 2000
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 23, 2000
TWO BROKEN REAR SPRING AND A RIGHT SIDE OUTER TIE ROD END, IN ADDITION TO FRONT BRAKE PADS, POSSIBLE SPRINGS WERE OF POOR QUALITY
NHTSA ID
9001506
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
Steering
Filed Oct 26, 1999
STEERING GEAR NOISE IS PRESENT, HOWEVER NO REMEDY TO SOLVE NOISE PROBLEM. MJS
NHTSA ID
549230
Steering
Filed Jul 21, 1998
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING NOISE, AND THE VEHICLE GOT STUCK IN AN INTERSECTION. BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE FACING INWARD DUE TO INNER TIE ROD FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ID
825658
Steering
Filed Jun 17, 1998
Crash reported1 injury reported
CONSUMER WAS ENTERNING THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. TOOK CONSUMER ACROSS THREE LANES BEFORE HITTING CONCRETE DIVIDER. ONE INJURY WAS SUSTAINED. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THE TIME. *AK
NHTSA ID
823382
Incident
May 6, 1998
Steering
Filed Mar 4, 1998
STEERING COLUMN MAKES NOISE.
NHTSA ID
531785
BrakesSteering
Filed Feb 20, 1998
OWNER'S SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN LOCKED UP, FORCING HIM TO GO OFF THE ROAD. ALSO BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. *AK
NHTSA ID
820121
Incident
Dec 19, 1997
BrakesSteering
Filed Feb 20, 1997
STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY REPLACED.
NHTSA ID
514993
Incident
Jan 11, 1997
AirbagsBrakesSteering
Filed Jan 12, 1997
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP,BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT, NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS DURING COLLISION.
NHTSA ID
528058
Incident
Dec 19, 1996
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