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4.3

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,018 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Ford Escort suspension problems

suspension problem

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1997 Ford Escort Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Mar 012007

(reported on)

Escort

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1997 Ford Escort had rear springs problems. * both rear springs on the vehicle broke. The breaks were identical, the lower coils. The consumer contacted the manufacturer and indicated that they showed lack of interest.

- West Bend, WI, USA

problem #22

May 302005

Escort 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,755 miles
Vehicle being serviced and technician noticed that both rear springs were broken in the same location. No indication from drive of vehicle that there was a problem but was told by technician that spring could come into contact with tire thus causing a blow-out.

- London, 00, USA

problem #21

May 222005

Escort 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 66,000 miles
A problem with springs. A broken rear spring; they fixed it, and installed new springs. Consumer later found out from other people that they were having the same problem. Received a recall on the front springs; but he was having a rear spring problem.

- Beacon, NY, USA

problem #20

Jan 242005

Escort 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While getting an oil change, the mechanic informed the consumer that both rear springs broke. The dealer was not notified. This is the consumer's third Ford Escort with broke rear springs (1991, 1993 and 1997).

- Winnetka, IL, USA

problem #19

Dec 032004

Escort

  • miles
Rear suspension spring failure.

- Somerville, MA, USA

problem #18

Sep 012004

Escort

  • miles
Replacement of rear springs on 1997 Ford Escort. The consumer wanted an explanation as to why her 2000 Ford Taurus was recalled but not her 1997 for Escort.

- Columbus, NJ, USA

problem #17

Nov 152003

Escort 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 121,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1997 Ford Escort had both rear springs broken at the same place. Had them replaced by mechanic who told me they should have never broken. I want Ford to be accountable for this and reimburse me for the repair. If 1 spring was broken then I could see it being possible, but both at the same place"??" they were manufactured poorly.

- Neshanic Station, NJ, USA

problem #16

Jun 132003

Escort

  • 40,000 miles
It was found during an inspection that the rear suspension springs were broken.

- Brownsville, PA, USA

problem #15

Apr 152003

Escort 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
Rear coil springs are cracked - both sides. Vehicle only 5 years old. Used in primarily in city, running errands - for retired couple. Also: Left outer tie rod end is worn out and has to be replaced. This causes a vibration at highway speeds and also rattles when going over small bumps (<1") at low speeds (<10 mph).

- Bainbridge Island, WA, USA

problem #14

Jun 162003

Escort 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The rear suspension in my car is all out of whack. I have been told that I need to replace the rear springs. My mechanic says that he has seen a lot of problems like with rear suspension in these cars. I drive an Escort wagon. I don't go off roading so I don't understand why the rear springs are broken. Seems like this could be an issue of a faulty part or suspension system. When I have people in the back seat of my car the handling is awful and I have to go really slow over any sort of bump because the car will bottom out! just thought others may be experiencing this problem.

- Athens, GA, USA

problem #13

Mar 052003

Escort

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brought my car in for the wiring recall and I told the dealer that there was spark knocking in the engine when it first starts and under hard acceleration. When I drive into my parents drive way my parents tell me that they know I am there because of the radio interference on the tv screen. I know a lot about electricity and I know that this is caused by noise and or shorts, bad connections what have you. I am very concerned about this because I know that the car has resistor plugs. We have also replaced the computer once and now this recall thing! we also had to replace the rear springs. When its really cold out and go to start the car the starter does not disengage and grinds on the fly wheel. It takes forever for it to warm up and it does not rarely ever warm up when its idling you have to drive it to get any heat. But overall its only left my wife stranded once. That's better than our last vehicle!! but now I wonder if this car is a ticking time bomb waiting to happen. Ford may not be my next choice of vehicle in the future that is if it doesn't kill me first!

- Ferrisburg, VT, USA

problem #12

Aug 102001

Escort 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I took my car into my dealership for routine state inspection and was informed that both rear suspension coil springs were broken and would need to be replaced. I was very shocked since car has never been used to haul anything more than groceries. I was told by the mechanic this is a common problem and they check for it. I reported this to Ford motors and was for the most part told "sorry but not our problem". it appears from the various dealers and Ford motors that this is a known problem that they plan to do nothing about unless forced to by people being killed or injured. If they cannot own up to poor workmanship, then I will be buying my vehicles elsewhere.

- Whitehall, PA, USA

problem #11

Jan 132003

Escort 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,636 miles
Rear spring broke on a 1997 Ford Escort. This is the 5th Escort our Agency owns that has had broken rear springs.

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #10

Oct 012002

Escort 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,919 miles
Premature failure of both rear springs, 1997 Ford Escort LX, VIN [xxx], resulting in replacement of spring assy's at customer cost for all parts, labor and associated parts. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Rochester, NH, USA

problem #9

Sep 172002

Escort

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer heard a clicking sound coming from rear of vehicle. Dealer determined both rear coil springs were broken and had to be replaced. Nlm

- California, PA, USA

problem #8

Dec 012001

Escort

  • miles
Rear springs on the strut assembly were completely rusted through causing rough handling of vehicle especially when car had passangers in rear seat. Both rear struts/springs were replaced at cost of $500. Mechanic said he saw many O F the same broken springs on Escort model. Car only had 34,000 miles on it when spring rusted through making this either a design defect or part defect.

- Metuchen, NJ, USA

problem #7

Jul 012001

Escort

  • miles
Rear coil spring found broken at state safety inspection. Break occurred at bottom, inside the vinyl covering of spring. New springs were $165.

- Kittanning, PA, USA

problem #6

Mar 202002

(reported on)

Escort

  • miles
Rear suspension coil spring broken.

- Lacross, WI, USA

problem #5

Aug 072001

(reported on)

Escort

  • miles
Consumer states both rear coil springs were broken near the bottom of the springs, where the plastic covering begins, the breaks were difficult to find, however there was a noise coming from the rear end of the vehicle to lead consumer to the rear coil springs.

- New Cumberland, PA, USA

problem #4

Jul 052001

Escort

  • miles
Having taken car into dealership for routine state inspection have been informed that the left rear coil spring is broken and would need to be replaced for inspection. Very shocked since car has never been used to haul anything more than groceries and is driven very safely due to lack of horse power. Called other dealerships to see if this problem is common with Ford Escort and to my surprise have been told that it is not uncommon. Reported to Ford motors at detroit and was told to get it fixed and keep receipts just incase there maybe a recall. It appears from the various dealers and Ford motors that this is a known problem that they plan to do nothing about unless forced to by people being killed or injured. Would appreciate my governments intervention on behalf of unfortunate Ford consumers.

- Washington-Boro, PA, USA

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