Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
POWER TRAIN
994303/08/1999604751Information regarding reprogramming powertrain control modules (pcms). *tt05/11/1999
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
9915207/26/1999608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda. *tt01/05/2001
001501/10/2000612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *mjs06/06/2000
988804/27/1998601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart. *yc07/10/1998
BC243097050105/01/199752833Some vehicles may exhibit a slight delay from park-to-reverse and park-to-drive after being parked for a lengthy period of time. *tw09/18/1997
9751103/03/199751945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts. *jd07/17/1997
BC519196100110/01/199650469For concerns of stalling, reflash pcm w/ 1996 calibration (r11 level). *tt04/24/1997
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH
0118109/17/2001625715Brake shift interlock.*jb11/30/2001
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER
96261212/16/199650997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip. *tw06/17/1997
9624911/18/199650908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip. *tw06/17/1997
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
BC068796103110/31/1996503624eat transaxle will be available as a ford quality renewal (fqr) assy. *tt04/24/1997
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
BC076096101610/16/199650396Wave spring located under the forward one-way clutch in no longer one piece. it has been 'split'. *tt04/24/1997

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
POWER TRAIN
 While driving speedometer becomes erratic; speedometer accelerates three times, actual speed being driven. cannot determine mileage on vehicle. vehicle also makes strang noise. please provide any further information.*ak
09/01/1997208/01/1996
 Speedometer became erratic, displayed wrong speed, at between 20000 - 30000 miles. had dealer replace under warranty. new speedometer is doing same erratic behaviour at 90000 - 100000 miles. this is extreme safety hazard. can not determine safe speed while on highway. this is obviously defective design, since two manufacturer provided speedometers have failed in identical manner. safety concern!! contacted ford motor customer assistance center @ 1-800-392-3673. they will not listen or replace defective designed equipment. *ak
203/01/1996
 Speedometer jumps erratically at speeds above 50 mph. not covered under extended warranty although brochure leads you to believe so. dealership knew it was the speedometer itself and not a dry cable because of history of same problems. 2nd problem; at appox 80,000 miles the drivers side rear seat belt would not retract. i recognize that things do break, but when the passenger side rear seat belt wouldn't retract just a few months later, i came to the conclusion that there is a design defect. *ak
04/30/2001109/01/2000
 Speedometer makes grinding sound reads much higher than actual speed. also fluctuates wildly. *ak
07/01/1998203/01/1997
 Speedodometer operates erratically, does not register correct levels of speed. has beeen replaced once. cause unknown. *ak consumer waiting for new part to be shipped for second replacement. *yh
02/15/1999208/01/1996
 Speedometer and it's cable assembly has been replaced twice in 14 months. 02/15/1999 (just under 36,000 odometer) speedometer needle bounced between 60 and 90mph. 5/08/00 (48,702 odometer) speedometer needle vibrated under 50 mph and speedometer cable caused loud chirping noise in front of car. the first instance was under warranty - the second, i complained to dealer and am paying a $100 warranty deductible of some sort(?) i don't think i should have to pay anything as the speedometer and it's cable are defective. *ak
03/16/1999204/01/1996
 In february of 1999 started noticing a clicking sound from the speedometer. problem persisted and noise started becoming a grind. took in for service march 1999 with mileage at 37962. replaced speedometer cable. noise stopped and then speedometer needle started again to act erratically. *ak
 When driving the vehicle at 50mph speedometer starts to jump up to80-90mph,even if vehicle is not going that fast. dealer says the head needs to be replaced. *ak
10/25/1999209/01/1996
 Speedomter is malfunctioning for 3rd time in 3 years. dealer will not replace without charging over $400. a speedometer should last more than 1 year!! please help me and other escort owners with this problem. thanks.
01/01/19973
 Speedometer malfunctioned, causing an incorrect reading which is higher than it should be. dealer replace speedometer 3 times. also engine problems. please provide further information. *ak
04/01/1998106/01/1998
 Speedometer failed.
04/15/1998502/20/1998
 Speedometer needle jumps around when speeds over 50-55 mph are reached. it is very distracting an could cause an accident.
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
06/17/2000106/05/2000
 Front wheels seized while driving at approximately 60 mph which resulted in an accident, possibly due to fautly transmission. vehicle was totaled. *ak *ml
04/07/2000102/01/1996
 While driving car, the vehicle stopped pulling. when checked, i was told by the inspector that the clutches in the transmission were burnt out. he told me it would cost $27oo to repair. i contacted ford about the extended warranty i purchased on the car was no good because i surpassed the mileage. what they didn't tell me was that the car is initially covered for the first 100,000 miles and the extra warranty i purchased was to give me an extension of 60, 000 miles or whichever comes first. i feel as though ford should replace my transmission at no cost to me because the life of the transmission should be longer than it lasted. i have even finished paying for the car yet. *ak
01/21/1997106/01/1996
 Transmission failed.
05/01/19971010/19/1996
 Soda spilled on red gear shift release button, preventing gears from engaging when button is depressed.
12/11/1996112/27/1995
 Overdrive warning light illuminated.
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
09/18/1996112/27/1995
 Shift are erratic.
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
04/01/1996402/14/1996
 Brake failure, pedal went to the floor, loss of complete effectiveness. *ak wheel bearing failure. cv joint failure. steering wheel off center. *slc
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
06/23/1999105/01/1996
 No summary.