1999 Ford Escort: engine stalls while driving

Filed Jan 9, 2012 · Engine · 93,083 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford escort. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. A local mechanic diagnosed that the timing belt was defective. In addition, the motor failed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 93,083.

Filed Mar 16, 2005 · Engine · 127,000 miles · TX

On 12-11-04 while returning home from work, I heard a loud noise coming from the engine and the car stalled. At first I though it was the timing belt. I took the car to a local shop who said that the timing belt had been stretched and had actually skipped gears. They replaced the timing belt and upon starting the vehicle, they heard a loud noise from the engine. They removed the spark plugs to find that the #4 plug had been broken due to an impact from the engine. After contacting the spark plug manufactuer, they said that this was a known problem with ford 2.0 engines manufacturered between 1991 and 2000. Ford used a powdered metal valve seal instead of a stainless steel one which over time breaks apart and falls into the engine damaging the engine. As a result, the engine must be replaced.

Filed Feb 25, 2005 · Engine · 550 miles · GA

In 1999 we purchased a ford escort. Within the first 6 months, the check engine light came on. We took it in and they said there was nothing wrong with the car, that sometimes a new car would do that just by going over a bump. Within the next two years the car developed some really weird problems. Diagnostics were done, parts changed and money paid. No change. The car will stall after being driven for a while, especially in the summer. Now it stalls constantly. We have taken it to five different mechanics plus the ford dealership again, and no one can tell us what the problem is. Diagnostics are constantly being done. Parts changed "just to see" and more and more money has been spent and nothing has changed except it is getting worse. My daughter is now expecting her first child and the car is hers. We are afraid to let her drive it anymore because of its instability. Ford keeps telling us to bring it back to them and they'll diagnose the problem...they haven't been able to yet and now they won't even respond anymore. So ford is ultimately the problem...along with their car. We don't know what to do now. We can't sell the car this way. We can't afford to buy another one without selling this one first. Do we have any recourse at this point?

Filed Jul 6, 2004 · Engine · CT

While driving vehicle stalled. Consumer restarted vehicle and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic could not duplicate the problem. Consumer informed the mechanic that this problem occurred more than once, and had not been resolved.

Filed Jan 26, 2004 · Engine · FL

My 1999 ford escort excessively stalls, idles low and acts like it is choking when I have come to a stop or I am starting the car. The car stalls when coming to a stop at stop lights. It seems like when these cars reach a certain temperature they shutdown. I have taken my car to the dealer and they were unable to fix the problem. They had me change the mass airflow sensor, throttle body, replace engine mounts, repaired the transmission twice and the car still stalls and the transmission continues to go bad. I have done research on other consumers complaints about this vehicle type and have noticed that they are experiencing this same problem. There needs to be a recall of this vehicle type and consumers need to be reimbursed for money spent on repairs. Please have this investigated because the cars are unusable and dangerous. This sudden stalls when driving can cause a major accident.

Filed Nov 28, 2003 · Engine · NC

After filling the vehicle with fuel and a fuel injection cleaner, consumer was driving at 70 MPH, and vehicle stalled. Consumer tried several times to restart the vehicle, but to no avail.

Filed Sep 10, 2003 · Engine · PA

The engine stalled without warning.

Filed Jul 19, 2003 · Engine · 16,000 miles · OH

Since the purchase of my car at 12,000 miles, it has shaken and vibrated violently. When I run my defrost or A/C the problem gets worse and my car stalls out. I have replaced the transmission at 30,000 miles and replaced everything the dealership instructed. On july, 18, 2003 I made my final attempt to correct the problem. I took the car to the ford dealer and again specified the problem and showed them exactly what I was experiencing. I picked it up later that afternoon they had replaced the valve again that I had just replaced in january 2003. I turned on my car and ran the A/C and I saw no improvement. So I asked to speak with a manager who told me that this is a common problem that my car shouldn't stall anymore but they have done everything they can do to correct this problem. Basically, we purchased a $13,000 dollar car that never ran right and can not be remedied. No one has a solution and I'm expected to be satisfied with a car that shakes non-stop. If ford knows this is occuring they need to notify customers before they purchase the vehicle, instead of letting them drive away in a car that can never be fixed. I have lost all respect for ford and will never purchase a vehicle from them again.

Filed Jul 3, 2003 · Acceleration · 53,700 miles · MI

When the vehicles cruise control was set the vehicle stalled which caused the engine light, fuel light and brake light to illuminate. The dealer inspected the vehicle but could not duplicate or correct the problem. *ak *cb

Filed Jun 18, 2002 · Engine · MA

While driving and without warning vehicle will vibrate violently and stall on occasions. Dealer has been notified, however mechanic has not been able to remedy the problem.*ak

Filed Jan 15, 2002 · Engine · CA

Car becomes idle then shudders/vibrates (repeats) when stopping. Car now stalling occasionally when stopped and has stalled while doing 35 MPH. Problems started less than a year after purchase. Car in the shop on 6-7 occasions to fix these problems - car still not fixed. Since the car has stalled during motion, consumer feels very unsafe, especially on the freeways. The problems are getting progressively worse. I am unsatisfied with not only the car quality, but the mechanical and customer service.*ak. Consumer states several componets were replaced that remedied the problem for about 2 months and then the problem resurfaced, the vehicle began vibrating and the engine began making noises and would then stall, the dealer stated the engine mounts were loose that was causing the vibrations, but the problem still persisted along with the stalling.

Filed Aug 13, 2001 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Motor died at a traffic light. Consumer had car towed to dealer. Dealer stated that it was alternator. Consumer indicated that dealer has replaced 4 alternators/ one starter, and a battery. Consumer is afraid to drive vehcle in fear that it may stall again.