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.
: 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. Updated 3/1/2006 - the consumer still has the defective parts in her possession.
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. Upodated11/29/05.
This is pertaining to a 1997 Ford Escort, VIN [xxx] 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). Updated 07/19/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
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.
- Yuma, AZ, USA
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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
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.
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.
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.
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!!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Tabor City, NC, USA