Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - HEATER CORE | |||||
| 01156 | 08/06/2001 | 623944 | Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *slc | 10/31/2001 | |
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD | |||||
| 96221 | 10/21/1996 | 50940 | Windshield and interior glass - fog/film. *tw | 06/17/1997 | |
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | |||||
| 983162 | 09/22/1999 | 607418 | Concerns with paint stains on the hood which may be caused by windshield washer solvent leaking from the windshield washer jets while driving. *tt | 09/22/1999 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM | |||
| 07/29/2002 | 1 | ||
| Consumer states there is a fine mist coming out of right climate vent, developing film on outside of windshield, possible heater core, a/c leak or a/c condenstation. also getting a noise when blower motor is running. heater/air conditioner blower motor, air conditioner blower resistor, and blower motor wiring harness have been replaced. air conditioning system disodorized. *tt | |||
| 1 | |||
| Consumer stated there was a very fine mist coming from the vent and there was a noise when blower motor was on, the dealer replaced motor assembly for the air conditioner and heater.*jb | |||
| 07/03/1998 | 6 | 08/01/1997 | |
| The air intake for the heating and a/c system is right at the opening between the windshield and hood, and no grate covers it. leaves get into the system. they spit out at you when you run the a/c or heat. when a/c runs, they plug up drain, and water sloshes around in compartment and gets into interior. when heater runs, burning leaves can be smelled. | |||
| 01/01/1998 | 09/01/1996 | ||
| Engine check light comes on and stays on for long periods of time, although nothing is mechanically wrong with the car. the defroster stays on when button is not engaged. *ak | |||
| 1 | 07/01/1997 | ||
| Defroster does not work properly. | |||
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - HEATER CORE | |||
| 01/13/2006 | 110000 | 1 | 11/01/2001 |
| Dt*: the contact stated there was a recall for the vehicle, nhtsa # 02v323000, concerning the air bag sensor. however, the recall remedy did not correct the problem. the vehicle was parked at an independent repair shop. the technician noticed the windows fogging up and opened the driver side door. while inside looking at the gauges the air bag deployed. this pinned the technician between the seat and steering wheel. the deployment cracked the windshield. upon inspection, the technician determined it is the same problem indicated in the recall. there was water accumulated in the integrated air bag monitor. *nm updated 3/1/2006 - the consumer still has the defective parts in her possession. *nm | |||
| 08/01/2004 | 82000 | 1 | 06/01/1997 |
| Dt: the contact stated the heater core ruptured, which caused water to get into the electrical system, and vehicle caught on fire. the vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause of the problem. *ak upodated11/29/05. *jb | |||
| 07/29/2005 | 1 | ||
| This is pertaining to a 1997 ford escort, vin 1falp13p7vw194060 1. my heater core developed a leak 2. i had the heater core repaired at the dealership--in the service ticket they noted air bag light will be on. coolant damaged air bag monitor will need to be replaced (prior to this, the air bag monitor appeared to be working--i.e. the dash light showed normal operation.) since they had already put the dash back on and i was told that it would cost about $800 to take it back off and replace the monitor, i waited until i had both the money and time. 3. i received a recall notice (02s44): this was to have a shield placed over the air bag monitor to prevent damage from water and other liquids. 4. i took the car in for the recall repair and informed them of the fact that the damage had already occurred but was told that the recall only covered putting in a shield and not the repair of the damage. 5. i called ford motor company asking them to repair the damage that occurred prior to the recall at no cost to me but i was informed that they will only install a shield to prevent future damage. (that seems to me like closing the barn door after the animals have left). *nm | |||
| 11/02/2004 | 2 | ||
| While driving and stopping at a stop sign air bag deployed. vehicle started to smoke, and the heater coil went out. there was anti freeze all over the floor of the vehicle, and the air bag busted the front windshield. ford will not do anything to help the consumer.*ak | |||
| 02/17/2004 | 100000 | 2 | |
| Manufacturer's recall 02544 concerning heater core failure. heater core fluid dripped on the air bag module, causing a short. vehicle was repaired once, but the problem recurred. *ak | |||
| 114697 | |||
| Heater core leaked onto the airbag monitor which caught on fire and short circuited the electrical system. *ak | |||
| 04/01/2001 | 50000 | ||
| Since vehicle was purchase in 1999 the consumer has replaced four defective heater cores. the first failure in 04/01 resulted in damage to the airbag module due to leakage from the heater core. the most recent failure was in 10/02. nlm | |||
| 03/04/2002 | 60000 | 1 | 05/07/1996 |
| On the 1997 ford escort the airbag control module is installed directly underneath the heater core. on my car the heater core developed a leak and antifreeze flowed over the airbag control module and the electrical connector associated with it. this resulted in burnt insulation on the wiring for the airbag control and blowing the associated fuse. it came very close to causing a fire. the main problem with this is that you do not get indications of an antifreeze leak until it is to late and the air bag system is no longer usable.*jb | |||
| 01/15/2003 | 152000 | 01/15/2003 | |
| The heater core sprung a leak. this is the second time this has happened within 15 months. i caught the problem before any damage occured. the first time there was extensive damage. the air bag and pcm modules were damaged by the heater core leak. there also was a fire from the pcm and air bag module. this damage cost $1500. the dealer will not fix the problem because it is out of warranty by 3 months. i have found out that there are many cars that are expierencing this problem. | |||
| 09/04/2002 | 1 | ||
| Heater core is leaking causing fluid to get into air bag sensor and as a result the air bag light flashes off/on, the engine stalls while driving dealer replaced the computer, some electrical wire were replaced because the car began to smoke.*ak *nlm | |||
| 09/04/2002 | 1 | 10/01/2000 | |
| There's a leak from the heater core to the air-bag monitor (and other places) which has caused the air-bag warning light to light up, and coolant to be emitted through the rear-passenger air vent onto the floor of the car. there are many previous complaints from others about the same thing, yet no recall, so hopefully adding my complaint will help. i will have to replace the air bag monitor and the heater core, but somebody could have been seriously hurt because this leak could cause (and has caused with others) fire and/or unexpected air-bag deployment resulting in crash and/or other problems. ford should recall this item and have it fixed!!!*ak | |||
| 07/03/2002 | 1 | 04/01/2097 | |
| Heater core leaked onto air bag sensor and module causing air bag warning light to come on. had to replace heater core,air bag sensor and module.*ak | |||
| 06/16/2002 | 1 | 10/01/2099 | |
| Heater core failure resulted in failure of airbag system due to placement of airbag computer without moisture shield. *ak | |||
| 07/01/2000 | 1 | ||
| Consumer had left vehicle at repair shop for the transmission to be checked and to find out why a light in the dash had illuminated, consumer was informed that the heater core had a hole in it, when demanding her vehicle back, she discovered that the vehicle had caught on fire under the dash and that the windshield was burned, nobody contacted her to let her know about the fire, claim 24-5124-338. *slc | |||
| 07/13/1999 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle experienced fire in the passenger compartment, fire may have started in ignition switch, consumer feels the fire may have occurred due to a prior collision, heater core leaking into the ecs module, causing a short in the wiring harness, claim 40-2188-822. *slc | |||
| 07/21/2000 | 1 | ||
| Consumer left vehicle at repair shop to determine why a light in the dash was illuminating, dealer stated that the heater core had a hole in it, consumer saw that vehicle had caught fire under the dash and that the windshield was burned, claim 24-5124-338. *slc | |||
| 07/13/1999 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle experienced passenger compartment fire, it appears to have started at the ignition switch, consumer suspects the fire was due to a prior collision, however an inspector stated the heater core was leaking into the ecs module, this caused a short in the wiring harness, thus causing the fire, claim 40-2188-822. *slc | |||
| 07/01/2000 | 1 | ||
| Consumer had left vehicle at repair shop for the transmission to be checked and to find out why a light in the dash had illuminated, consumer was informed that the heater core had a hole in it, when demanding her vehicle back, she discovered that the vehicle had caught on fire under the dash and that the windshield was burned, nobody contacted her to let her know about the fire, claim 24-5124-338. *slc | |||
| 07/13/1999 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle experienced passenger compartment fire, it appears to have started at the ignition switch, consumer suspects the fire was due to a prior collision, however an inspector stated the heater core was leaking into the ecs module, this caused a short in the wiring harness, thus causing the fire, claim 40-2188-822. *slc | |||
| 04/16/2002 | 1 | 03/25/1997 | |
| Vehicle was going 65mph and slowing down to 30mph while still accelerating. heater core was leaking onto computer for airbag module. this was the second time it happened.*akthe leaking heater core caused alot of damage to the airbag, spark plugs, ignition cable, and oxygen sensors. consumer paid out of pocket for damaged parts. heater core replaced under warranty. *jg | |||
| 07/13/1999 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle experienced fire in the passenger compartment, fire may have started in ignition switch, consumer feels the fire may have occurred due to a prior collision, heater core leaking into the ecs module, causing a short in the wiring harness, claim 40-2188-822. *slc | |||
| 07/21/2000 | 1 | ||
| Consumer left vehicle at repair shop to determine why a light in the dash was illuminating, dealer stated that the heater core had a hole in it, consumer saw that vehicle had caught fire under the dash and that the windshield was burned, claim 24-5124-338. *slc | |||
| 02/17/2001 | 1 | 09/01/1998 | |
| The heater core leaked onto the air bag diagnostic module, causing it to short out and catch on fire. this item was replaced along with the heater core for a cost of $955.00. i had to remove the battery cable to keep the car from catching on fire and burning up, the service manager at stegall ford in pontotoc stated i should not have this problem again because the new part was sealed in plastic. i believe this is a serious design flaw after looking at your odi id logs of 865884,867236,845896 and 845837 along with numerous air bag deployments for this model car for no reason. i believe this part was changed by ford and should have been recalled on all models. i work as a design engineer and if an electrical item is subject to moisture injestion, it should be sealed or potted to eliminate shorts and failure. the placement of this module under the heater core was wrong, i notified ford and they only apoligized for the heater core leak, they did not acknowlege anything about the air bag module, i again notified them that they should be responsible for payment on this item, since the design had been changed, they have not replied to this in over a week, stating it would only take 3 days for a reply. to me this is a serious issue, i have worked in the past under fda guidelines in the medical industry with reporting and i do not like the way this is being handled by ford, they are acting like they are trying to hide something, a persons life or personal injury is not something to sweep under the rug, although no one in my family sustained any injury, they could have, i will now try to sell this car as soon as i am able. thank you jeffrey l plunk | |||
| VISIBILITY - GLASS, SIDE/REAR | |||
| 04/16/2003 | 0 | 09/14/1996 | |
| The rear window on my 1997 ford escort shattered while the car was under the carport. the window exploded from the inside. the incident happened at approximately 7:30 p.m. cdt. there was no prior structural damage to the window. there was no vandalism involved, monroe police dept. was called and they found no evidence of a criminal act. on observing the window, the officers commented that the window shattered from the inside. there seems to have been a structural defect in the window. *nlm | |||
| 05/23/2000 | 1 | ||
| Was driving vehicle when suddenly rear passenger side window was shattered. nothing had hit it.*ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | |||
| 06/10/2003 | 74239 | 2 | 09/09/1999 |
| Consumer had recall 02v323000 remedied in 03/03. the airbag warning light illuminated again and the consumer was very concerned for her safety. *ak the air bag light came on while driving. the air bag light stayed on for two days. the dealer stated they were unable to do anything about it unless it had come back on. *scc the power window failed to roll down.*jb | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD | |||
| 04/30/2008 | 115000 | 1 | 01/29/2008 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford escort. when making a right turn at various speeds, the contact heard a clunking sound coming from the front end ball joints. the dealer stated that the brake pads, rotors, drums, and front wheel bearing on the passenger side needed to be replaced. the contact stated that the odometer and speedometer have both been replaced three times, but she does not trust that the speedometer is currently working properly. the failure mileage was 115,000. updated 06-03/08. *lj the tie rod end, rear spring, windshield, upper ball joint, odometer knob, real passenger seal were all replaced. updated 05/30/08 | |||
| 03/25/2002 | |||
| Driver's side air bag deployed while vehicle was parked, causing windshield to blowout.*ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | |||
| 12/02/1998 | 5 | 09/01/1997 | |
| Wipers suddenly failed to work while driving in a rain storm and passing a semi-truck. | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - MOTOR | |||
| 04/30/2001 | |||
| Windshield wiper motor does not work properly which causes wires to blow a fuse. contacted dealer, and did not know what to do.*ak | |||