Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
952401/01/199539120New radiator manufacturing process/modification. *tw03/17/1995
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
987404/13/1998601343A new silicone gasket and sealant. *yc07/24/1998
9761003/17/199751990Blower motor- chirping or squeaking from blower motor at low speeds. *jd07/17/1997
BC966696100110/01/1996505272.5l duratec engine exchanges no longer include front end accessory drive component, oil level indicator, water pump belt/tensioner, egr tube, linkshaft bracket or exhaust manifolds. *tt05/27/1997
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
0124612/10/2001630515Engine oil system priming procedures, service tips for reports of premature engine failure. *tt04/18/2002
021401/21/2002630001Some engine assemblies with aluminum cylinder heads repaired in-vehile have been found to leak coolant and/or oil from the cylinder head gasket area. *tt04/11/2002
0018809/04/2000618599Concerns with premature failure occuring on the 1.9l motorcraft remanufactured longblock assembly and shortblock assembly due to ingestion of foreign objects remaining in the transferred intake system from the original failed engine.04/17/2001
1176908/01/1998615270Some vehicles may exhibit brief spark knock on acceleration during hot weather once the engine has thoroughly warmed up. *tt01/10/2001
9981605/03/1999606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5w-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year. *tt08/19/1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
98201010/12/1998603695Experiencing a buzzing or rattling noise from the exhaust system. *yc03/02/1999
986403/30/1998601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system. *tt07/21/1998
BC040796111511/15/199650753Instructions for replacing diagnosed failed parts. *tw06/17/1997
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
98231011/23/1998603724Mass air flow (maf)- sensor contamination- service tip. *ak03/03/1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
98-473309/01/1998607147New message concerning dtc's 172/181 and 186. *ak11/02/2000

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
02/13/20091360001
 1995 ford escort with 136,000 miles on car caught a fire in the engine compartment that resulted in total loss. *tr
09/07/200452875110/01/1995
 While driving, the engine light illuminated on the dashboard. the vehicle was taken to an independent shop where they replaced a plastic sensor, which had melted on the intake manifold. please provide further information. *jb
09/15/199720000
 On april 11, 1995 i purchased a new 1995 ford lx, 1.9l sefi , vin# 1fasp15j3sw273791. after driving the car for a few days and settling into it, i began to notice a clicking sound coming from what to me sounded like the engine area on the driver?s side and the steering column. i took the car back to the dealership immediately. the vehicle was not test driven and i was simply told that it was probably just new engine noise and it would stop. as time went on the clicking continued. i called back to the dealership several times then i just gave up because the vehicle was running okay and had caused no concern. on september 8, 1997 (clicking noise still there) i took the vehicle in for other problems. as invoice states, noise may be coming from engine area. on may 22, 2002 while driving the vehicle it just stopped!!!!! referencing north central ford invoice no. focs590331 (which is attached) you can see the work that was performed. in reference the above-mentioned invoice, you will notice that the timing belt was replaced, one of the phone calls i received was to explain that the timing belt had snapped. please notice that you will find nowhere mentioned that valves or anything else was checked. by the time all of this took place, the clicking noise had become more apparent and they were made aware that it was still there. now for the grand finale, on april 29, 2003 i drove the car to a nearby store and when i came back out the clicking noise turned into a noise as if the engine were going to explode. i immediately stopped the vehicle and called a tow truck and it was taken to north central ford. i was informed that the mechanic thought push rod had gone. i have spoken to more than one mechanic (ase certified) who clearly believes that the valves should have been at least checked when that belt broke. this damn vehicle was my pride and joy it was pampered. the mileage on it was a mere 74,639. terri wilkerson 518 vernet street richardson, tx 75080
06/15/2003111003
 Engine developed a cracked cylinder head. the only reason it cost 600.00 was that i repaired it myself. seatbelts and transmission have not been repaired.
1
 Consumer states that high ambient temperatures caused the vehicle to leak and overheat. consumer feels a fire may start as a result. *ak
05/01/19990
 Vehicle overheats when air conditioner is running. temperature gauge goes to hot. also, air conditioner will be cool when first starting the car. but, if vehicle slows down air will become warm. then, vehicle starts to spudder, and jerk foward. consumer took vehicleto a mechanic and had relays/ sensors, thermostat/ coolant fan , and radiator replaced more than once since 1999. please provide any further information. *ak
08/17/19951
 Temperature guage failed.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
11/11/2002103/01/2000
 Radiator leaking where cheap plastic side is crimped to the core only fix is new radiator. thanks for building suck a cheesey and unrepairable radiator! dt
05/01/19990
 Vehicle overheats when air conditioner is running. temperature gauge goes to hot. also, air conditioner will be cool when first starting the car. but, if vehicle slows down air will become warm. then, vehicle starts to spudder, and jerk foward. consumer took vehicleto a mechanic and had relays/ sensors, thermostat/ coolant fan , and radiator replaced more than once since 1999. please provide any further information. *ak
05/08/20010
 Problem with overheating has been common with this vehicle. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN
05/01/19990
 Vehicle overheats when air conditioner is running. temperature gauge goes to hot. also, air conditioner will be cool when first starting the car. but, if vehicle slows down air will become warm. then, vehicle starts to spudder, and jerk foward. consumer took vehicleto a mechanic and had relays/ sensors, thermostat/ coolant fan , and radiator replaced more than once since 1999. please provide any further information. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
05/01/19990
 Vehicle overheats when air conditioner is running. temperature gauge goes to hot. also, air conditioner will be cool when first starting the car. but, if vehicle slows down air will become warm. then, vehicle starts to spudder, and jerk foward. consumer took vehicleto a mechanic and had relays/ sensors, thermostat/ coolant fan , and radiator replaced more than once since 1999. please provide any further information. *ak
07/01/2001107/01/2001
 We please send me two signature cards for both vehicles just bought this car for are daughter on 7/01/01 what was funny is the ignition switch was bad when we got it then 9 day's later the raidiator satrted to leak the same place my 92 taurus was leaking from the drive side seal of the raidiator so i called ford and i wanted to know why there making parts that are failing in not one car made but two different car's and i also was told but various mechanics that ford knows of these problems with both the taurus and escort but won't fix the problem why would two different cars from the same manufacture have the same problems ford knows the parts are defective and alot of other people around the us have had the same problems with the 3 main things transmission raidaitor and egnition switchs so why are you not looking in to this consumer fraud i'll be glad to file a civil suit against ford if need be as they are screwing the public. *ak
04/05/199803/01/1998
 Fuel tank cracked and leaking.not due to driver error!! radiator clogged up and when engine ran hot, warning lights and gauges failed. this caused a cracked cylinder head. *ak
08/17/19951
 Thermostat failed.
12/18/19958
 Engine thermostat failure. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
03/01/2001108/16/1999
 While traveling on highway there is a smell of gasoline coming throughout vehicle. dealership is aware of problem. *ak right outer tie rod was fixed. valve cover gasket was replaced. *yh
02/01/1995
 My car wouldn't pick up speed like it was suppose to. ford maintenaince put new timing belt on about a year ago and it hasn't been starting right since *ak
06/21/200107/01/1998
 The vehicle had been running and idling hard two weeks prior to the incident. after taking it in for service, the spark plug wires were replaced and i was told the problem had been fixed. 2 days later while driving at 45mph the car suddenly lost almost all power and would not go over 30mph. if left idling too long it would cut off completely. vehicle was towed to private garage and upon inspection it was discovered that one of the valves had dropped into a cylinder, thus destryoyng the piston. i have had several mechnics tell me that this is something they have seen before and that this model of engine isknown for this. *ak
05/01/20000
 Consumer was traveling about 45ph on highway and vehicle stopped without prior notice . vehicle had to be towed to repair shop, and mechanic told consumer that engine blew a rod/there was electrical problems, and ignition switch had to be replaced. *ak
05/01/2000
 While driving or stopping vehicle stalled. took to dealer, and dealer replaced spark plug and gasket. but vehicle vehicle still not working.*ak
08/01/20001
 My car has only 17,000 miles and the head gaskets are leaking. when i checked with the dealer, i was told the i was passed the 3 year/36'000 miles warranty and the repair will not be covered. i'm being told by my regular mechanic that head gaskets shouldn't fail at such a low miles driven!!!
06/16/1997102/01/1997
 Engine light comes on repeatedly due to timing belt being broken. yh
05/16/2000101/01/1996
 Engine just quit while driving down road. mechanic said crankshaft broke & new engine needed
10/29/1999
 While driving in the neighborhood all of sudden vehicle stopped. had vehicle towed home, and mechanic told consumer that by the sound of the engine a rod was blown. contacted the dealer/manufacturer, and was told out of warranty. *ak
10/16/19990
 After tune up and timing belt was fixed a week and half later, around the 16th of octtober, car kept cutting off in traffic, and then it just would not start. had to be towed. there were no warning lights, car just died. luckily, consumer was able to get off main street. *ak
07/31/199911/01/1995
 When turning into a parking lot the vehicle just died / shut completely off without any warning. when the vehicle was towed to a service station, engine: pulley: crankshaft was found broken. the part to correct the problem is on back order. *ak *yc
07/28/1999
 Consumer was pulling out of the driveway and the pulley: crankshaft fell off, and there were sparks coming from the vehicle. *ak
04/05/199803/01/1998
 Fuel tank cracked and leaking.not due to driver error!! radiator clogged up and when engine ran hot, warning lights and gauges failed. this caused a cracked cylinder head. *ak
07/10/19950
 Engine has strange idle. *sd
08/17/19951
 Sending unit failed. *dsh
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
06/01/2002103/01/2000
 Head gasket blown only 64k miles and a nice $700 repair bill. for a car that depreciated 75% anyways! dt
02/01/2001
 Tired to work with the general manager of honda to no avail. they won't help me and the sold the vehicle and it should have been in working condition. *no afety defect listed. *ak
08/01/2002
 Vehicle was parked when consumer started up vehicle. there was a noise coming from engine area, and vehicle had to be towed. dealership was aware of problem.*ak
11/25/20011
 Consumer had a defective engine, the engine blew up with no prior warning. contacted dealer, and dealer stated warranty had expired.*ak *slc
12/06/2001
 At times vehicle will just shut off when traveling at 45-50 mph, everything will shut down.*ak
11/12/20011
 The car stalls at stops alot nad now it staled and wont even restart!*ak
05/08/20010
 While driving about 45 mph when engine overheated, and at time of driving engine stalled. *ak
05/08/20010
 Engine had overheated/ melted and had to be replaced. consumer please provide more information. *ak
309/24/1999
 Vehicle does not idle correctly and has stalled a couple times, vehicle has been taken to the dealer on 3 occasions but the problem still persist. nlm
05/01/20004
 Intermittently vehicle stalls without warning. dealer has been notified.*ak dealer replaced plugs and gasket, however stalling still exists. *slc
09/01/2000503/25/1997
 Consumer has replaced ignition switch 3 times within 5 years. vehicle has caught on fire once from ignition, the day after the starter had been replaced. starter, starter solenoid, ignition switch(which had melted to the switch), and o2 sensor have been replaced, consumer states that the problem started when trying to start vehicle with the engine being cold, it would crank several times, but never start until turning key off and back on. vehicle experienced problems with engine light becoming illuminated, dealer diagnosed the problem as a faulty fuel pump, however the engine light still comes on occasionally. pcv valve was also replaced. *slc
04/15/199611/01/1995
 Sometimes when i have driven the car and get back in it within an hour or 2 it the car will start but will not hold an idle. in order for me to get the car going i have to have my foot on the clutch and gas at the same time and after 10-15 min it will 'catch' and stay running. the problem has been there since the car was new and i took it in to waldorf ford and they looked at it when it was under warrenty and they said their was no problem at all. i was wondering if this falls within the lawsuit that in pending in maryland. please contact as soon as possible to see if this can be resolvedthank you
08/11/2000108/01/1997
 We are just suprised that the car would need a valve job after all it is only 5 years old. we bought it with the origanal warrenty and purchased an extended warrenty to 60,000 miles which has now expired. we have been good with daily maintnence and have had the car in on many warrenty repairs. have heard that ford has been having some complaints on the cylinders malfunctioning.
08/01/1996
 Every time i stop at a stop sign/light, the car dies. at times just trying to back out of the drive way the car dies. a friend has a 95 escort and he has had the same problem and is unable to find the cause. another friend has a 95 probe and she has the same problem and could not find the reason. is there a defect in the 95 fords?*ak
10/16/19990
 After tune up and timing belt was fixed a week and half later, around the 16th of octtober, car kept cutting off in traffic, and then it just would not start. had to be towed. there were no warning lights, car just died. luckily, consumer was able to get off main street. *ak
09/20/1999
 While driving at approximately 40mph, engine stalled out. was no warning concerning engine. had vehicle towed to garage. was informed by mechanic the engine had blown & need to be replaced. had contacted dealer & manufacturer & was informed by both engine had 3 year warranty. *ak
05/01/1997207/01/1996
 Since we bought this used program vehicle, we have had to replace the tires at least 4-5 times, the back top brake light numerous times (fuse) the brakes at least twice and when my son was hit during the winter the airbags did not deploy and he had back injuries his passenger had chest pains from the seat belts, we did replace the timing belt this year and than in july the engine stopped working and the mechanic (pride auto) stated that the engine was damaged this occured while driving appx. 25 hrs per mile. the dealership refused to help us stating that we got 99,000 miles out of it. we are voluntarily returning the vehicle, they are giving us a hard time about it.
08/13/1999
 While driving vehicle stalled unexpectedly which may have caused a crash due to oil not pumping into the engine, which resulted in an engine lock up. previously had the transmission replaced. dealer said needed to replace the engine. *ak
103/02/1995
 Motor had a continual burning smell to it and one day the consumer turned the car on and heard noises in the motor. after taking it into the dealership, the owner found out motor had failed.
4
 While driving vehicle there is smoke that comes through the vents, and also vehicle loses power while driving. owner has taken vehicle to dealer four times for this problem. *ak
06/14/1996102/19/1996
 Intermittent stalling.
03/19/19959
 Engine makes noise. *tt
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
03/16/20055
 The ignition switch has had to be replaced 5 times on my car. i'm a single mom and on limited income and have had to go without car months at a time. i have to have the switch replaced for around $150 each time plus towing. i have not kept the old parts because i did not know i needed to. on this same car the timing belt has gone out twice since i have owned it, for three years now. is this due to the car or is there something wrong when repaired?
06/01/20001
 Serpentine belt locking up while engine still running. manufacturer notified. *ak the consumer also heard the motorized sound while engine was cut off and doors are ajar.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
 Emission hose elbow has melted, causing vehicle to stall out and die while idling. *ak
11/12/2000999911/01/2000
 The car got alcohol smell since the first day i bought it. then it made me dizzy & cough badly all the time , sometime i was thinking that if somebody light up a cigarette which may put my car into fire since there are alcohol smell all over. i began open all the windows whenever i drive this car ( no matter how cold it is, or even when it is raining.). and besides drive it to work, i never drive it during the weekend. because i think my body need some rest from this car. i did not know how bad it could be untill i read a book talk about how dangerous the emitted gasses from the car could hurt people's health, after i read that book i stopped to drive the car & begin to find out how to take care the problem. before i am sure the car is safe to drive, i would not drive it or sale to other people. i wish no body will get hurt by this car. please take care this car's problem. otherwise i really don't know how to do with this car. i am taking bus eveyday to go to work since jan. and the dealer can't find the problem. ford told me to call your dept. is there a kind equipment which can test the inside car air quality to see is it safe to human health. ? , it would not be good if any body get dizzy (co,o3,hc,...) from the bad air quality inside the car on the high way. i think there shoud be a equipment for the public to check their inside car air quility, so everybody know they are safe to breath in the car and safe to drive the car without hurt their health & not hurt other people on the high way. we need such a equipment. & every car sold from the dealer should. pass the inside air quility test. please help me !!!!! thanks for your time.*ak
06/01/1996103/02/1996
 Exhaust is leaking and fumes are coming into passenger's compartment. *ak
06/30/19952
 When at a stop sign an exhaust smell is present in the passenger compartment and driver has begun to pass out from it. tt
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
10/31/1998
 While driving the oxygen sensor insulation which is taped tore off unto the exhaust manifold and caused a fire. please provide further details. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
03/11/200003/01/2000
 When driving the vehicle for a short time it has a smell discribed as sweet and ice cold. shortly after being in the vehicle your head pounds, your eyes water . your nose runs, i become so ill it makes me throw up.*ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
09/01/2000503/25/1997
 Consumer has replaced ignition switch 3 times within 5 years. vehicle has caught on fire once from ignition, the day after the starter had been replaced. starter, starter solenoid, ignition switch(which had melted to the switch), and o2 sensor have been replaced, consumer states that the problem started when trying to start vehicle with the engine being cold, it would crank several times, but never start until turning key off and back on. vehicle experienced problems with engine light becoming illuminated, dealer diagnosed the problem as a faulty fuel pump, however the engine light still comes on occasionally. pcv valve was also replaced. *slc