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1998 Ford Escort electrical complaints

Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 43, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1998 Ford Escort electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jan 14, 2003 · Electrical · TX

Consumer stated the engine light illuminated and the vehicle stalled, due to electrical problems with the vehicle.

Filed Oct 3, 2002 · Electrical · MA

Consumer states that while parked and with no warning the horn will operate intermittently. The horn has been deactivated by the fire department because the horn would not go off. Consumer also, states that this is a reoccuring problem. Also the directionals are inoperable. When the consumer activates the directionals they will not automatically go off. Dealer notified. Bln

Filed Aug 8, 2002 · Electrical, Steering · MA

While driving hit the horn and it stuck. Had to unplug fuse to cut horn off. Dealer contacted. Targo switch inside steering wheel pad broke.

Filed Jun 25, 2002 · Electrical · MA

Horn went off on its own,. Dealer replaced horn assembly. In june 2002, horn sounded again on its own, had to be replaced a second time.

Filed May 15, 2002 · Electrical · VA

While in motion, the vehicle suddenly stopped in the middle of the road. The mechanic informed consumer that the ignition module had caused a surge of electrical power that impacted the alternator and caused the vehicle to stop. Consumer is requesting reimbursement of monies paid.

Filed Apr 9, 2002 · Electrical · MO

Horn blows continuously with vehicle parked. Must remove fuse to turn off horn.

Filed Feb 6, 2002 · Electrical · OK

After turning vehicle off key got stuck in ignition. No matter what consumer did , key would not come out. Contacted dealer.

Filed Jan 17, 2002 · Electrical · IN · fire

Consumer was turning off the ignition and noticed that there was fire under the steering wheel area, consumer and her daughter tried to put out the fire themselves, however could not, claim 14-1385-223.

Filed Jan 17, 2002 · Electrical · IL · fire

While driving, flames started coming from under the dash, claim 13-7568-816.

Filed Jan 17, 2002 · Electrical · MS · fire

Consumer noticed smoke coming from behind the steering column, claim 24-125-333.

Filed Dec 10, 2001 · Electrical · IL · fire

While driving, flames started coming from underneath the dash, claim 13-7568-816.

Filed Sep 25, 2001 · Electrical · CA

Car stalls while accelarating from low speed -0-5mph, car has stalled while on 605 freeway while traveling at low speed, starts after waiting about 20 min. Have reported to servic dept. Cannot find anything wrong.

Filed Aug 23, 2001 · Electrical · VA

Vehicle suddenly stalled and would not restart, vehicle was towed, and consumer was then informed that the alternator and battery were inoperative and it appeared that they were hit by a surge of electrical power. Jb

Filed Jul 17, 2001 · Electrical · KS

The ignition key and lock were extremely hot to touch when consumer went to turn the engine off, vehicle was taken to dealership and they could not explain what may have caused the problem, consumer was informed that there were no recalls.

Filed Apr 7, 2001 · Electrical · NM · crash · fire · 1 injury

My son was involved in an accident in which another vehicle hit his vehicle on the passenger side while he was making a left turn. My son's car spun 90 degrees and landed on the side of an embankment. The car did not flip and landed right side up. Both airbags deployed. My son noticed smoke coming from the right side of the vehicle. Luckily, he was not knocked unconsious and was able to get out of the car quickly. Within less than 5 minutes, he noticed flames coming from the floorboard on the passenger side. The car was totally engulfed in flames within 10-15 minutes. If this accident had happened on a remote road and my son would of been injured more seriously, and not been able to get out of his car, and would have burned to death. I don't know what caused the car to start on fire. Even the insurance adjuster said the car shouldn't have started on fire.

Filed Mar 29, 2001 · Electrical · IN · fire

While turning off ignition, consumer noticed a fire under the steering wheel area, claim 14-1385-223.

Filed Jan 24, 2001 · Airbags, Electrical · GA

While driving horn kept going off which might startle occupant and cause a crash. Dealer said it was due to airbag system which needed to be replaced at 59,000 miles. Airbag light did not come on. Common problem.

Filed Jan 24, 2001 · Electrical · FL

Vehicle continuosly stalls out at highway speeds. Consumer must pull over and wait about 5 minutes to restart vehicle. Consumer has taken vehicle to dealer twice, but dealer cannot determine cause. *ak there was a recall on emission and service was done by the dealer prior to the stalling problem.

Filed Jan 22, 2001 · Electrical · VA

Opening and closing of hatchback door has caused installation on wiring harness to fray off, causing an electrical shortage potential. *ak the rubber covering the wire harness for hatchback door was frayed and three of the top wires were exposed. This has potential for electrical shortage.

Filed Dec 12, 2000 · Acceleration, Electrical · NC

Engine vibrates, and has a high idle. Engine runs rough and shakes. Engine surges and hesitates. Car stalls. I have had the vehicle in for this same repair several times since the purchase of it. The mechanics have replaced spark plugs, fuel guage, fuel filter, valve idle air control, vapor management, motor mounts. The dearlership in hillsborough replaced a cable something (the service manger quit and a ticket was not found for this repair.) the vehicle continues to have same problem without being totally fixed. The last time I brought the car in for stalling, the repair was done, but the next morning the car continued to stall. As of this date, I am taking the car in for the same problem again. Please note: in reviewing the information after submittting I noticed that in # of failures passenger air bag deployed 8 times with the date of 7/24/98. This is incorrect, car was not in an accident and air bags were not used.

Filed Aug 21, 2000 · Electrical · IL

Horn will go off without any one touching it. Also, consumer was having a problem with stereo.

Filed Aug 18, 2000 · Electrical, Transmission · CA

Sensor light comes on and off intermittently. Consumer took vehicle to dealership, and mechanic fixed vehicle. Dealership mechanic replaced wiring in front of vehicle, and problem came back three months ago.dealer told her to ride with sensor light on. *ak service engine soon light on steady due to powertrain control module (PCM) failure.

Filed Jul 31, 2000 · Electrical · MS · fire

Consumer stated there was smoking behind the steering column, claim 24-5125-333.

Filed May 9, 2000 · Electrical · NY

The battery failed without any warning on the dash. The car was jump started and ran for another 40minutes before the car died again in traffic. I was able to push the car off the three lane highway onto to the shoulder. I received another jump start to the battery with a battery pack connected to the car battery terminals which enabled me to exit the highway. Immediately upon removal of the battery pack ,the car died again. I was towed to a safe location. The following day I installed a new battery and the car started immediately and continued to run after removing the postive cable connedted to the car's battery. A co-worker informed me today he regularly had to replace the battery on his escort about every two years. He also had no prior warning of imminent battery failure. This is a dangerous condition.

Filed Feb 9, 2000 · Electrical · CA

When trying to use the horn it won't work, but sometimes it would work by itself.

Filed Jan 10, 2000 · Electrical, Engine · NV

Vehicle started, engine rattled upon acceleration at all speeds at 2300 miles. After numerous failed repair attempts by dealer,I sent complaint to fords dsb board.working throgh arbitration vehicle looked at by engineer.they replaced PCM.problem got worse,along with new problems,lack of power,hard start,transmission hesitaing.then they replaced fuel pump,didnt help, then ignition switch, didnt help,then mass air flow sensor and air filter, didnt help.finally vehicle started stalling while driving, during acc. Towed back to shop, ford had it six weeks this time replaced PCM two more times.I have vehicle back,still problem with transmission hesitating.vehicle in shop eight times for same or related problems and totalling almost three months in shop. Still in arbitration, consdering closing case and taking to dsb. Personally.

Filed Jun 14, 1999 · Electrical, Fuel system · IL

Radio does not work.

Filed Feb 1, 1999 · Electrical · CA

Horn failed.

Filed Nov 27, 1998 · Electrical · MI

Consumer complained of ongoing problem with vehicle not starting. Vehicle been in/out dealer shop on six occasions. Vehicle was inspected & parts replacement made, but problem is still occurring.

Filed Nov 18, 1998 · Electrical · OH

Wiring assembly failed.

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