Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford escort. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the air bag light illuminated and smoke emitted from under the dashboard. The contact maneuvered to the shoulder and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was then towed to the contact's home. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the dashboard was melting. The fire department appeared on the scene to disconnect the battery. The contact noticed there was a recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 02v323000 (air bags:frontal:sensor/control module) and planned on contacting the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 161,000.
1997 Ford Escort: engine stalls while driving
22 of the 543 complaints about the 1997 Ford Escort describe engine stalls while driving.
- owner complaints
- 22
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 31 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Engine stalls while driving by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford escort. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle began to shake vigorously and stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic. The mechanic stated that the engine would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred twice. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Upon turning the vehicle on it stalled . Tried starting it again and it blew up, burning completely to the back seat of the vehicle. There were no warnings or indications.
Car stalled try to restart car caught on fire, now total loss.
While driving 55 MPH vehicle stalled. Consumer was unable to pull off the road. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that engine failed.
Problems with vehicle stalling out.*mr the check engine light came on, which caused the vehicle to idle and almost stall at every stop. The vehicle was service five times for the check engine light. *ts. The spark wires were replaced the fuel injection system was cleaned, the fuel injector was replaced, however the problem continued, the dealer then diagnosed the problem as carbon build up, and it was explained in the service bulletin the new heads should have revised valve guides and exhaust valves to prevent carbon build up
Problems with wiring harness resulting in vehicle fire. *mr while the consumer proceeded through a stop light the vehicle began to act erratically, the air bag light illuminated and the vehicle stalled out. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it later caught fire awaiting diagnosis and repair. There was a recall related to this failure but the consumer didn't received the noticed prior to the fire (recall # 02v323000). The consumer also requested reimbursement. *scc
The vehicle stalled without warning, the dealer replaced the fuel pump.
While driving home from work on 12/1/2002 vehicle began to smoke near dashboard area. Vehicle stalled and was pushed into nearby parking deck. Vehicle towed to home the next day much to my surprise the entire dashboard area had caught fire. While in deck and entire dashboard and wiring system completely destroyed. Front window also sustained major fire damage. Dt
Consumer states that while driving air bag light illuminated. Contacted dealer to bring vehicle in for diagnostic. The next day while driving, vehicle began smoking from the steering column and then stalled. Related safety investigation ea02008/water ingestion into the air bag monitor ts
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.*ak
While driving engine check light illuminated, causing vehicle to stall. Consumer shut engine off, resulting in vehicle not restarting. Consumer tried to investigate, and found the antifreeze fluid overflowing, and causing electrical wires to melt.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Idle vibration on vehicles equipped with 2.0L spi or zetec engine only. tt
- Some engine assemblies with aluminum cylinder heads repaired in-vehile have been found to leak coolant...
- Engine oil system priming procedures, service tips for reports of premature engine failure. tt
- Some vehicles may exhibit vacuum or air leaks in the intake manifold and / or engine system causing...
- Some vehicles with 2.0L spi engine only, may exhibita burning oil smell noted from outside or from within...
- Subject concerning the idle-vibration- 2.0L and zetec engines- service tip. mjs
- Some vehicles with the 2.0L spi engine may exhibit a lack of heat and temperature gauge reading cold. tt
- Some vehicles equipped with 2.0L spi engine may exhbit a lack of heat and temperature gauge reading cold. tt
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1997 Ford Escort stalling
Is engine stalls while driving a common problem on the 1997 Ford Escort?
22 of 543 owner complaints about the 1997 Ford Escort (4%) mention engine stalls while driving. The model year with the most reports is 1999.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Ford Escort?
There are 0 recalls and 31 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Ford Escort
Fire or smoke 47Airbag light 33Coil spring 30No deployment 14Ball joint 13Brake failure 12Check engine light 11Grinding brakes 9Sudden acceleration 9Headlights 8Loss of power 6Transmission failure 6
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