10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,667 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #18

Apr 302002

Escort

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles
My mom bought the car, certified used, with only 16,000 miles on it. As it neared 37,000 miles it needed a new transmission. I had to pay for it. After that the transmission had to be replaced 2 more times before it reached 70,000 miles.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #17

Nov 062004

Escort

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles
Consumer stated vehicle will not shift gears properly. Dealer indicated transmission malfunctioned.

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #16

May 242004

(reported on)

Escort

  • 100,000 miles
Consumer complained about transmission axle slippage and defective brake problems. Vehicle vibrated when accelerating. Consumer had the vehicle inspected by a private mechanic.

- Ukiah, CA, USA

problem #15

Apr 062003

Escort 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
I have a 1997 Ford Escort. At approximately. 37,000 miles the transmission required service. Took car to board Ford in whittier, ca. Two days after service the transmission failed. Board Ford allowed an esp for power train and replaced transmission. At time of replacement, board Ford indicated the new power train was warranted for 75,000 miles. At approximately 45,000 miles on the new power train, it literally exploded from the inside out (completely cracked the core). Called board Ford and Ford motor and was told that because the car has 80,000 miles on it, the power train wasn't warranted even though the power train only has $45,000 miles on it.

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #14

Feb 272002

Escort

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I do not drive my Escort "wild" I try to take care of my car. I have contacted the company to get it repaired; they only cover part's. I am fighting the warranty company that cancelled me; that paid for this at the time.no safety defect listed.

- Howell, MI, USA

problem #13

May 142001

(reported on)

Escort

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle can be put into gears without applying brakes, also, at times gears will not release from park position, cause unknown. Dealer cannot identify the problem.

- Pittsburg, PA, USA

problem #12

Jul 122000

Escort

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
How can a dealership not acknowledge the motor/transmission are both foreign items. If I wanted to purchase a foreign car I would have. And for both motor replacement cost $2600 and transmission $2800 to go out the same time. Isn't there some law that states a dealership/mfg must acknowledge the type of equipment (parts) being used in a automobile??

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #11

Sep 202000

(reported on)

Escort

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving on highway without warning vehicle will completely shut down, cause unknown. The dealer had replaced the transmission twice.

- Willingboro, NJ, USA

problem #10

Sep 291999

Escort

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine check light will come on when operating vehicle for a long period of time or climbing a hill. The transmission failed twice and was replaced by the dealer. But the transmission's erratic shift uphill and check the engine soon light continued.

- Elizaville, NY, USA

problem #9

Nov 151999

Escort

  • miles
Everytime when in park consumer is not able to disengage the shift lever gear. In the owner's manual it tells consumer which screwdriver to use in order to release overdrive.

- Ft Benning, GA, USA

problem #8

Feb 012000

Escort

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer was getting ready to make a left hand turn and parts of the transmission started to fall off. Consumer could hear the parts falling off, and car stopped. Vehicle had to be towed. Mechanic told consumer that it was parts of the transmission that fell off.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #7

Aug 131999

Escort

  • miles
Car was towed to local station as dealer could not find the problem. We understand that we purchase one of the last selector shaft assembly shifters available. Total cost: $349.

- Independence, OH, USA

problem #6

Sep 291999

(reported on)

Escort

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving vehicle vibrates and jerks and hesitates when shifting gears. Dealer cannot identify the cause.

- Monroe, MI, USA

problem #5

Jun 091999

(reported on)

Escort

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving vehicle jerks or vibrates and hesitates when shifting gears. Dealer cannot identify the problem.

- Monroe, MI, USA

problem #4

Oct 131998

Escort

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission has prematurely malfunctioned and burned out, has been replaced four times.

- Leroy, MI, USA

problem #3

Nov 161998

Escort

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving vehicle died and had a fire in the engine compartment without prior warning. Dealer cannot determine the cause. Another times, the transmission fell out without warning. After repairs, the vehicle started making noises and was slow to take off. Vehicle was traded in..et.

- Euless, TX, USA

problem #2

Aug 261998

(reported on)

Escort

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Ten transmission failures. Qcaw

- Fulsom, PA, USA

problem #1

May 291997

(reported on)

Escort

  • miles
The gear shift handle safety lock failed.

- Somerset, NJ, USA