Wiring harness insulation obviously cut during assembly. Sharp metal edges on inside of liftgate and "d" pillar were the culprit. Bare wires and cut wires were shorting to chassis ground. Fire potential was serious. Intermittant 3rd brake light, rear window defroster and hatch light were nuisance problems. Other complainants on this sight had 3rd brake light melt down and fire... This could be a definite cause in the wagons and should be looked at closer in the sedans. Also, I was reading the complaints on this car and, though it has been fairly reliable for me, I have experienced the uncontrolled throttle accelleration or sticking on 2 occasions. Both times were during long trips and both times the symptoms would not disappear until after turning the ignition off and then back on. There is something to the other's complaints. Lastly, the left rear seat belt will not return. I also noticed an alarming number complaints of seat belt failures on this vehicle. The seat belt return mechanism is a faulty design. The assembly can spread apart, allowing the return spring to loose it's tension. There really should be a safety recall or investigation on the seat belt assemblies in this vehicle. Thanks.
1992 Ford Escort electrical complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 36 of 36, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Multiple eletrical failures in instrumentation and panel controls. Abrupt failure of dash lights that illuminate speedometer and other crucial instrumentation. Also, multiple failures of electrically powered passive restraints, confining front passengers in seats with inability to disable restraint (shoulder belt). Multiple electrical failures of other dash instrumentation/controls to include heating/cooling/fan/radio and signals. In regard to second component, inability to properly install independent child safety seat in right front (passenger) seat, even with manufacturer-supplied "locking clip" as belts cannot be properly b secured under any circumstances.
While driving iginiton switch was very hot. When the consumer went into the store the vehicle caught on fire due to the iginiton switch being hot and burned the starter.
Ignition has failed four times.
Ignition switch failed, causing vehicle to stall/not start as per manufacturer's recall. Recall repairs refused due to year of model 95s28.
Ignition switch failed resulting in fire.
While driving the vehicle was engulfed with smoke. Pulled into a service station and was informed that the wiring and the wiring harness housing was burning. The dealer will be notified.
Ignition switch locked up, forcing to leave the deys locked in the car..
Heater core leaks.
Recall 96v071000, about one week after having recall work performed, daughter was driving vehicle and it caught on fire under the hood. Fire believed to be electrical.
Defective ignition switch assembly allowed starter motor to engage whenever the clutch was depressed.
Electrical short, ignition switch overheated, causing the switch connector to burn, also wiring burned. *ak dealer found burnt wire loom and burnt starter solenoid, dealer replaced starter and repaired wire loom, consumer feels recall 95s28 should be extended to include his vehicle.
Ignition switch failure, causing an electrical short in battery. *ak consumer states the switch shorted causing it to melt like the ones in recall.
Electrical problem.
Inside vehicle filled with smoke caused by two of the wiring harnesses burning.
Vehicle has strong gas odor whenever tank is filled.
Electrical short, ignition switch and wiring harness burned when vehcile was parked in garage.
Ignition switch shorted out, causing fire.
Consumer having a hard time taken the key out the ignition switch when you turn the vehicle off.
The igniton switch shorted out and had to be replaced. Please describe.
The car caught on fire from the ignition switch while being driven and it would not turn off. Please describe.
The ignition was turned on and then when the key was removed and the car continued to run. Please describe.
While idling in cold weather, interior of compartment was filled w/smoke due to main wiring harness burnin in several places. Dealer removed dash.
Electrical short or shock in the wiring harness caused the vehicle to catch on fire.
Attempted to start the vehicle and puff of smoke came out of the dash. Smelled wire burning loss all power in the car. Engine wiring harness burned. Tt
When started, engine smoked turned off ignition, engine continued to run, had to disconnect battery cable to abort fire, due to alternator failure. Tt
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