Ford Escort Engine Problems

Engine complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Engine
  120
• Engine › Gasoline
  114
• Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
  18
• Cooling system › Radiator assembly
  11
• Exhaust system
  11
• Cooling system
  6
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
  6
• Exhaust system › Emission control
  2

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1523%
• 25k–50k
  1422%
• 50k–75k
  914%
• 75k–100k
  1219%
• 100k–150k
  1117%
• 150k+
  35%

What owners report

Car has a hesitation when accelerating under load. This is most noticable when the car is warm and especially when using the air conditioning. Automobile was taken to a general mechanic and they were unable to find the cause of the problem. On this date, vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The dealer indicated that there are no service bulletins regarding this issue and there were no error codes in the computer. The dealer stated that they believed this to be a characteristic of the car and it is due to the air conditioning compressor temporarily reducing engine power when cycling on and off. This is a dangerous condition as the car can lose power during the act of passing a vehicle or merging onto a highway.

Shaking in steering wheel. Most noticable during acceleration and deceleration. Was mentioned to salesperson at time of test drive. He stated he would have the tires balanced and an alignment done. At no time prior to purchase did anyone state it was a built in defect. When we met the service people they were told the type of vehicle being purchased and the fact we would be bringing it in for the shaking. This was intentionally dishonest. We attempted to trade in on another vehicle and the same dealership offered us $7500. This is after 3 months and 3 thousand miles for a defect they knew about. The TSB did not correct the problem.

In aug. 2003, I purchased a 2001 Ford Escort, only a short time after having it (2 weeks) vehicle engine died while at stop light. This has happened repeatedly, it is now November, and my local dealership has had my car more than I have since purchase in August. Continually tell me "there is nothing wrong with it." they installed a device to monitor the times when it dies, they serve people have driven it and it has died on them, they continue to say they do not know how to fix it. Also, I have been on the interstate with cruise control set and vehicle suddenly accelerates. Have not gotten any satisfaction from my local dealer, they have put approximately 2500 miles on my car, more than I have had a chance to put on it!! I would like either a comparable car or a full refund. This has been very frustrating. I have even been told I exaggerated the severity! …

2001 Escort. Bought in fall from hertz. Have had new platnum plugs installed. But car continues to cut off when leaving from a stopped positon such as a stop sign, light, and left turn lane. Cut off 2 days ago when starting from a stop sign. Had plenty of time from on comming cars. Stalled in hwy and a tractor trailer truck had to brake and I almost lost my life. Did same thing several days ago from a left turn lane. Went to young Ford about it running rough and stalling. Ser mgr stated they do that and that is the reason they stopped making them. Have had trouble sinc I bought it. You cant tell much about a car with a short demo ride. Bought 9/25/02

Transmission is slipping and does not shift correctly. Timing chain broke while driving and almost caused an accident. Had to have the car towed. Tensioner arm broke while driving shredding the belt. Had to have the car towed.

I would like to reference odi cases # 8016196, 1451010 and particularly 881231 in reference to my Ford Escort. While driving at low speed, my power steering, ac and alternator went out when the serpentine belt broke. The belt was wrapped around the water pump tensioner, which literally snapped away from the water pump housing and broke the water pump housing in 3 pieces. My mechanic also said he had never seen anything like this - but he found it very interesting that Ford had the water pump housing in stock in their parts department. The water pump, the housing, the tensioner and the serpentine belt were all replaced at the consumer's cost.

Noticed that engine warning light was coming up on and off, changed spark plugs,wires, light would go off for a period and than come back on. I was driving down the freeway between 65-70 miles/hour when I hured a loud bang , pulled off the freeway, I had the car taking to a local Ford dealership, service writer told me that the valve seat in the head had seperated and fell into the motor. He also told me that the 1.9 motor had a flaw in the head and Ford motor company new about this problem for many years. Than he showed me another Escort that6 had the same exact problem and that this was not the first car he seened with this problem. Second problem: I have had to replace 3 transmitions with in a year, which was covered by Ford motor company and possibly a 4th. I don't know because the motor went. …

While driving , the car lost power and the steering wheel was hard to turn, after coming to a stop, we tried to start the car up again it bsounded like it wanted to turn over but didn't after a few tries it stopped making any noise. A mechanic said the engine blew and that it was a on going problem for this year and make of car. The engine was put in the car when we bought it, it was advertised as new so the previous owner must have had thishappen to them and knowingly sold us their problem. Please we need help.