Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Fuel system 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.
13
Latest Apr 23, 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 325 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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2
What this page shows
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Ford Escort submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 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 fuel system
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 23, 2008
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
NHTSA ID
10225453
Incident
Feb 10, 2007
Mileage
85,000 mi
AirbagsFuel systemSeat belts
Filed May 31, 2006
Crash reported1 injury reported
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING 45-55 MPH. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE FUEL SYSTEM DID NOT SHUT OFF, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT. THE ENTIRE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRUSHED; THE CONTENTS OF THE TRUNK STRUCK THE CONTACT CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE REAR END WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA ID
10158690
Incident
Aug 4, 2000
Mileage
8,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 30, 2003
MY DAUGHTER PURCHASED A USED 1999 FORD ESCORT FROM COOPER FORD, CAMDEN N.Y., FIRST 9 MONTHS WITH CAR OKAY BUT AS SOON AS COLD WEATHER SET IN SHE STARTED HAVING FUEL PUMP FAILURES. THIS FAILURE CAUSES SUDDEN SHUT DOWN OF VEHICLE, TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE FIRST OCASSION WAS WINTER OF 2001-2002, PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED 12-27-02 AND 1-28-03. DEALER INSISTED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FUEL RELATED THAT THESE FUEL PUMPS WERE SENSITIVE TO ADDITIVES IN FUEL. I BELIEVE THERE IS AN UNDERLYING PROBLEM THAT IS BEING OVERLOOKED OR TROUBLSHOOTING BY TECHNICIANS IS INADEQUATE. IF FUEL WAS SOURCE OF PROBLEM EVERY OTHER VEHICLE IN THIS AREA WOULD BE AFFECTED ALSO AND I AM UNAWARE OF ANY MASS EXODUS OF FORDS INTO THE DEALERS FOR NEW FUEL PUMPS. THE POSSIBILITY FOR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT EXISTS AS LONG AS THIS PROBLEM REMAINS UNRESOLVED, THE SUDDEN AND COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF A VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR WHEN PULLING INTO BUSY TRAFFIC ETC. COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS OR FATAL CONSEQUENCES. IN CONVERSATIONS WITH FORD MOTORS CUSTOMER SERVICE I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO RECORD OF THIS TYPE PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE. TECHNICIANS AT DEALER HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH FACTORY REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND ALL THE ENGINEERS COULD COME UP WITH IS A "FUEL PROBLEM" .APPARENTLY LITTLE OR NO FAILURE ANALYSIS IS TAKING PLACE AS TO WHY ONE PARTICULAR VEHICLE WOULD NEED 3 FUEL PUMPS IN APPROX. 13 MONTHS AND ONLY IN THE WINTER TIME. ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES MY DAUGHTER HAS TO DRIVE A "TIMEBOMB" THAT WE IN GOOD CONSCIENCE CAN'T SELL WITH THIS DEFECT. THANK YOU. I HOPE I NEVER HAVE TO FILL OUT THE LOWER PORTION OF THIS PAGE!
NHTSA ID
10004983
Incident
Jan 28, 2003
Mileage
48,890 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 11, 2002
WHILE DRIVING A PIPE HAD SNAPPED, CAUSING FUEL FILTER TO LEAK.
NHTSA ID
8007458
Incident
Apr 6, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Nov 4, 2001
THE SMELL OF GAS FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IS SUBTLE WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. WHEN THE CAR IDLES THE FUMES INCREASE IN INTENSITY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE AND CLAIMED THEY DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY TESTED IT. *YD
NHTSA ID
785766
Incident
Oct 1, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Oct 19, 2001
WHILE PUSHING IN ON THE CLUTCH, IT SOUNDS LIKE VEHICLE IS STILL ACCELERATING, WHEN IN FIFTH GEAR IT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE IT IS ENGAGED, DEALER HAS DONE THE FOLLOWING: REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, CLEANED INJECTORS, REPLACED THE AIR CLEANER, AND REPLACED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. *SLC
NHTSA ID
785744
Incident
Jun 1, 2001
Fuel systemSteering
Filed Jul 15, 2001
THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE BLEW OUT OF THE PUMP AS WE BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE. THE PUMP QUICKLY EMPTIED ITS OIL SUPPLY ONTO THE SERPENTINE BELT, ENGINE BAY & THE DRIVEWAY. IT APPEARS AS IF THE RETAINING O-RING WAS SHEARED IN HALF AS THE MALE FITTING BLEW OUT OF THE RETAINING NUT THAT ATTACHES IT TO THE PUMP. I HAVE DIGITAL CLOSE-UP PICTURES OF THE FAILED PART IF DESIRED (E-MAIL). THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS TOTALLY DISABLING FAILURE IN A 2 YR OLD CAR!!*AK
NHTSA ID
748485
Incident
Jul 13, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Feb 7, 2001
SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL NOT START AND SOMETIMES IT WILL, FUEL PUMP REPLACED TWICE, NOV/00 & JAN/01. CJ
NHTSA ID
559520
Incident
Oct 11, 2000
Body & structureFuel systemVisibility
Filed Dec 21, 2000
UNDER CARRIAGE IS SEPARATING. SPOT WELDS ARE BREAKING. FUEL TANK STRAPS ARE NOT SECURED FOR TANK, WHICH CAUSES IT TO MOVE AROUND. STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF VEHICLE IS COMPROMISED BECAUSE OF SPOT WELDS. WINDSHIELD TILTS TOWARDS DRIVER. PASSENGER'S DOOR IN REAR OF THE STATION WAGON WOULD PIVOT AND WAS GETTING WORSE. *AK
NHTSA ID
876920
Incident
Oct 13, 2000
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Oct 25, 2000
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AND FAILS TO START INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP SAID THE FIRST TIME THAT IT WAS A FUEL PUMP FAILURE, SECOND TIME IT WAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP, THIRD TIME IT WAS THE FUEL SENSOR AND FUEL MODULE. NOW DOING IT AGAIN. REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPORT ON THIS FOURTH INCIDENT.
NHTSA ID
735113
Incident
Jul 22, 2000
Fuel system
Filed May 25, 2000
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP,CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ID
862533
Fuel systemInterior & seats
Filed Oct 26, 1999
Crash reported1 injury reported
WHILE SITTING AT A STOP AND MAKING A LEFT TURN ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED CONSUMER'SVEHICLE, IN WHICH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS AIR BOUND ABOUT 50 FEET, CAUSING DRIVER'S SEAT AND PASSENGER'S SEAT TO GO BACKWARDS. ALSO, SWITCH FOR THE GAS UNIT SYSTEM DIDN'T SHUT DOWN, AND THE MOTOR KEPT RUNNING. *AK
NHTSA ID
851788
Incident
Oct 16, 1999
Fuel system
Filed Oct 26, 1999
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN CONSUMER OFF THE ROAD AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE , AND HIT A TREE. IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL LINE, WHICH WAS PARTLY PLASTIC, WAS KNOCKED LOOSE AND FUEL LEAKED ON IT, CAUSING A FIRE. CONSUMER DIDN'T CONTACT DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ID
851786
Incident
Oct 15, 1999
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