I purchased a new 1997 Ford Escort in September 1996. After driving the car for about a week the anti-lock brake light came on and the car was losing brake fluid. This happened a couple of times. I took the car back to the dealer and was advised that the brake fitting was missing some threads. Dealer fixed problem. This past January I got a letter from Ford about the recall for the air bag monitor/sensor problem and had to take it to the local dealer to have that problem corrected. Now the car has a slow coolant leak. I took it to a repair shop and was advised that the head gasket is leaking. The car only has about 62,850 miles on it and has been very well maintained. It will cost approximately $800 - $1000 to replace the head gasket. I feel this head gasket failure is premature and Ford should pay for it. This was the first Ford vehicle I ever purchased and it will probably be the last. I want to know why they cannot put a $14,000 car together correctly and assure its quality to last. I looked at some of the service bulletins and previous complaints on the NHTSA web site regarding the 1997 Ford Escort and they are distressing to say the least. My next vehicle will be a GM product.

- Niagara Falls, NY, USA

Consumer states there is noise coming from engine compartment. Dealer found damper failed belt caught between damper and fender well was damaged. Replaced damper and belt.

- St. Paul, MN, USA

Consumer stated there was a noise coming from the engine compartment, dealer stated the damper failed and the belt was caught between the damper and fender well.

- St Paul, MN, USA

An electrical short circuit is occurring within vehicle which is causing vehicle battery to completely lose power. Consumer states radio caused battery to drain and speakers to pop, radio replaced 3 times, experiencing other electrical problems with the headlights dimming when the heater is on or when applying brakes, radiator had to be replaced, engine lights come on intermittently, and poor acceleration when going up a hill.

- Taos, NM, USA

Engine stalled at 55 mph. After the repair the check engine light came on, and the dealer couldnt fix the problem with the egr valve.

- Ferrisburgh, VT, USA

While driving vehicle completely shutsdown without warning, cause unknown. Dealer cannot correct problem.

- Houston, TX, USA

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

Vehicle would start to sputter when started. Would need to give gas to get vehicle running & then moving. At other times, vehicle would stall while driving. Can smell anti-freeze coming through the vents. Had taken vehicle 4 times to dealer & mechanic replaced head gasket the last time. The head gasket failed over and over again after being replaced.

- La Grange, OH, USA

Gas gauge doesn't show the correct amount of gas once it reaches 1/4 of a tank. The vehicle also stalls on highways. The anti-theft alarm goes on for unknown reason. The horn malrunctions too.

- Spring, TX, USA

Moving at 70mph motor sputtered and died. Unable to restart for aprox 20 min. Both times out on the open road and outside temp over 100. Engine temp normal. Fuel better than half a tank.

- Big Spring, TX, USA

While exiting a ramp engine suddenly shutdown, causing loss of all power. Dealer has been contacted.

- Baldwin Park, CA, USA

Heard a funny sound. Took vehicle back to the dealer, but they said this was anormal sound for the engine. Took vehicle a second time back to dealer after engine was making knocking noises and stalled. Contacted the manufacturer. Vehicle's warranty expired.

- Takoma Park, MD, USA

05/25/1999; while driving at 35 mph, the head gasket on engine "blew out" car was undriveable. On 07/15/1999; the horn started honking continuously on it's own, when car was parked & locked. Had to remove fuse to shut off. Dealer said it was a bad air-bag module, not covered by warranty, cost $ $675. 07/25/99, crankshaft pulley broke off, car not driveable. I note 4 other reports on this web-site for the crankshaft pulley, and 1 each for the head-gasket & horn/airbag problems + many other airbag problems.

- Chicago, IL, USA

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

Would like to try to get exstensive information about this vehicle since it has had several major failures.

- Omaha, NE, USA

Service engine soon warning light comes on. Has been serviced numerous times by dealer. No explanation can be given. Have experienced same problems with check coolant warning light.

- Melrose Park, IL, USA

When making a left hand turn consumer noticed that the engine check light was illuminated on the dash. Consumer contacted the dealer. Dealer stated there was a problem with the emission. Consumer stated that dealer made repairs for the check engine light, however now the engine overheats.

- Huntington Park, CA, USA

While vehicle traveling at 60-65 mph, on highway, engine shut down and would not restart.

- Mount Laur, NJ, USA

When driving at approximately various speeds engine will stall out, loses power. Put in neutral and give it gas so it can react correctly. Dealer has had vehicle five times. Replaced spark plugs and wires, ignition coil. Defect is stii reocurring.

- Rocky Mount, VA, USA

Vehicle would stall out at different speeds. Almost rearended because of stalling unexpectedly. Had vehicle towed back to dealer. Was informed could not find problem for stalling, even had vehicle test driven. Air conditioner blew hot air, dealer repaired wiring assembly. Tires experienced wear, consumer did not give specific tire information. Engine light illuminated and vehicle was hard to restart, vehicle also lost power and dealer has not been able to resolve the problem.

- West Chicago, IL, USA