1990 Ford Escort problems

Filed Aug 21, 2010 · Body, Seat belts · IA · crash · 1 injury

While traveling on a freeway at the speed limit of 65 miles per hour, I ended up in a skid on dry pavement. I don't remember how I got into the skid due to head injuries received in the resulting accident. The car skidded sideways for quite a ways and did not respond normally to attempts to steer it. Perhaps the engine stalled and the power steering was no longer working. The car eventually hit the raised concrete rumble strips while skidding sideways. The car then flipped over in the air and tumbled down the median, with the first impact likely to the driver's side roof, knocking out the driver. The car continued to tumble down the median until the car vaulted and landed on its top. I remember being upside down in the air, but nothing else until I came to hanging upside down from my seat belt with blurred vision. I had 2 large lumps on the top of the head, a badly swollen jaw and gums, a swollen tongue (bitten on both sides), one nostril filled with blood, the back of my head neck and shoulders were swollen by what felt like about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. I had bruises around my right elbow, on my right thigh, and likely other places, as well as a compression fracture of the second lumbar vertebra from the bottom (l4?). Since I had difficulty breathing, they did a tracheotomy on me while waiting for the ambulance. They pried open the rear hatch to get me out of the vehicle. I was in the hospital 5 days, out of work 5 weeks, and in various degrees of pain for about 1 year. The roof failed to protect me, the inertia lock shoulder harness failed to prevent my chin from hitting the steering wheel and its failure to work likely resulted in the compression fracture which the doctor said was probably from lunging forward. The only thing that kept me in the car was the manual adjusted lap belt, which is no longer installed in fords. All belts are inertia lock, like the shoulder belt of this car was. The vehicle had a manual transmission.

Filed Feb 23, 2010 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · NC

1990 ford escort with 1.9 l engine, throttle-body fuel inj, and man 5-speed transm. Approx 8 hwy miles from home, passing thru small town with 25-MPH limit, signal light, and rr crossing, the ford's engine suddenly revved to incredibly high RPM's. Frightened, I immediately pushed in the clutch. No floor mat or stuck accelerator/mechanical problems existed. Apparently this was a computer cause. Within seconds, perhaps 4 to 8 seconds, I was prepared to turn off the key ignition to the vehicle. I tried pressing the accelerator once (in former carbureted autos, such an action would settle a revved engine normally). Pressing accelerator had no effect. Then within that range of just seconds, the vehicle settled itself prior to my reaching a railroad crossing. Conditions involved smooth roadway, a gradual decline of speed (normal operation through most of this) from 55 to 45 to 35 to 25 near the signal light and "downtown" area. I owned and drove the 1990 escort from 1992 until 2006, from about 20,000 vehicle miles to about 184,000. This unaccountable acceleration never happened again. The vehicle was famous for losing ignition modules. The most dangerous occasion involved approaching the same town, about 6 miles from home. At 55 MPH, engine stopped cold. Fortunately, I realized situation, pressed in the clutch, and without power steering and little power brakes coasted into church parking lot handily near. Later, I transported with the vehicle at all times a spare ignition module and necessary tools for installation. Through the years the vehicle required about 5 modules. At other times the escort idled so slowly, that when clutch was depressed, vehicle would stall. Full tune-ups never affected the stall tendency. As far as toyota's current sudden surges, I think the problem is very likely computer related. We are current owners of a 1.8 l 2005 corolla with auto transmission and 2004 pontiac vibe (same 1.8 l w/ man transm), and will continue to watch the toyota problems.

Filed Feb 19, 2007 · Electrical · FL · fire · 1 injury

Vehicle was parked at gas pump island, ignition off. Engine compartment errupted into flames. All components contained within the engine comparment other than metal components completely melted or burned. Vehicle was manually pushed away from gas pump island while ablaze, then extinguished by hillsborough county fire department. Vehicle was towed to a secure location, nothing has been done to the vehicle since the fire.

Filed Sep 3, 2003 · Electrical · 39,786 miles · OH

The car starts fine when cold. After driving to town sometimes won't start right off,sometimes it does. Mostof the time I have to try and try.some times when it does start it revs up then dies. Then try to start again, sometime the same thing sometime will start. When started it runs just fine.

Filed Jul 2, 2003 · Electrical · WA

While traveling about 55mph on the highway vehicle stalled without prior warning.

Filed Aug 23, 2002 · Engine · WA

While driving at 25mph on flat surface and with no warning vehicle shut off. Consumer had to pull over. Dealer notified.

Filed Aug 8, 2001 · Locks · MD · crash

Rear doors have been inoperable for more than a year. Recently, vehicle was involved in an accident that resulted in consumer being unable to get the doors open. Please provide further details.

Filed Jul 11, 2001 · Acceleration · MI

When driving at 50 MPH the vehicle suddenly accelerated without prior warning, and without driver depressing on accelerator pedal. This caused unwanted and unexpected acceleration. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer unable to determine the cause. Please provide any further details.

Filed Jun 27, 2001 · Seat belts · MO

Shoulder belt will stick in one position in the track, failing to properly restrain driver of vehicle. Dealership has examind vehicle, and will repair problem at consumer's cost. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

Filed Jun 25, 2001 · Tires · CO

Vehicle was inside of a work shop, and noticed that there was a dent inside of tire. He could put a print depression size of a dimple. Dealership is aware of problem.