1999 Ford Escort: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Sep 11, 2012 · Lights · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford escort. The contact stated that the driver's side headlight burned out several times and would recur sporadically. The contact did not take the vehicle to the dealer for repairs or inspection. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 143,000.

Filed Oct 18, 2009 · Electrical · 67,100 miles · WV

Right front headlight was going on and off for a couple days. Got a replacement bulb to change light. Found the harness that connects into the back of the light to be melted and partially burnt. Had to replace harness.

Filed Apr 23, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 85,000 miles · MD

I purchased my se in november of 2006 with less than 83k miles on it. Three months after purchasing it, one of the head gaskets cracked. I had the head repaired, and less than two months after that the head cracked again. I had the engine replaced. I have now had new heads, new engine, new fuel pump and a new alternator installed and now am having a new problem. When I pulled out from a stop, the brake light would come on until the brakes were applied. The engine is now emitting a grinding noise when stopped, and I feel it is unsafe to drive. This is all in addition to the violent shaking, faulty front headlight, transmission that needs flushed and loud engine noise. I have spent more on repairs than I paid for the vehicle, and now have to put more money in to it, and it still has less than 94k miles on it. This is my first ford, and will be my last.

Filed Dec 8, 2007 · Lights · 50,000 miles · NM

The plastic headlight lenses are both very obscured by deteriorated material..this lowers the light transmission substantially causing a very unsafe night driving condition.. There is no mechanical damage to the lenses only deterioration.

Filed Apr 12, 2006 · Electrical · 109,240 miles · OR

I was out of town, drove for 2 1/2 hrs then parked for shopping. Was on way back home..10 min into drive, when my ford escort zx2 just lost all power while driving on the highway. I had little warning..a minute before it was running rough then nothing..no gauges or steering etc. I had the alternator replaced (did not think to keep the old part) and have replaced several fuses "just because" since it keeps doing this and the scary part is I bought it for my son who is a new driver and he had it happen to him twice in one day and twice to myself the next day. We were able to get it back home after jumping it twice in 8 miles the last two times it quit. It is now parked fearing we will be stranded or worse lose control and end up in an accident due to loss of headlights, steering etc.

Filed Aug 5, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 70,000 miles · MD

I purchased a 1999 ford escort from carmax in may of 2001. About 2-3 wks later I constantly had problems with the headlight going out. I got ticketed by the police several times because I was unaware of the problems. Then one day driving from work my engine died. Without any warning at all. I took it to carmax and they then took it to another repair shop. Whenever I put the AC on there is a rumbling coming from the front end of the vehicle. Frankly the car is a lemon and I had no idea because there was no reports on the car and I remembered asking the sales rep. If there was anything about the car that I needed to know and I was told no. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do because I am spending money on this car for manufacturer problems. Thank you.

Filed Jul 19, 2005 · Lights · 58,000 miles · OH

Dt: contact states the headlight socket went out on 1999 ford escort. The dealership was consumer telling that if she did not have the socket replaced it will cause a fire. But they will not fix it under warranty because the warranty sayid that electronic parts werw not covered under the warranty.

Filed Apr 22, 2004 · Lights · 52,000 miles · IN

While driving at night headlights failed. Dealer stated the headlight connectors were completely charred.

Filed Mar 18, 2003 · Brakes, Lights · 37,300 miles · NJ

1) headlamps: originally thought there was a loose wire because right light would work periodically. Upon further inspection, my mechanic found the connection to which the "bulb" was plugged had melted some what. He suggested that I return to the dealer to ask if there were any recalls on this particular problem, which I intend to do tomorrow. 2) brake pedal: recently I found it necessary to have new brake pads installed. Part of the problem (for me) was the brake pedal was too soft and too low (the brakes were bad also). The repairs were made by an extremely reputable mechanic. Unfortunately, the brake pedal is still too soft and too low.

Filed Jan 3, 2003 · Lights · KY

Consumer called complaining about having problem with the vehicle intermittently headlights due to a melted wires. Dealer has inspected replaced wires connection on several times, and could not correct the problem. Please provide further information. Ts

Filed Oct 17, 2001 · Electrical · VA

Wiring harness that is connected to headlight bulb overheats and short circuits, causing headlights to become inoperable. *ak consumer stated the front headlights failed at different times.

Filed Jul 13, 2001 · Engine, Transmission · PR

Vehicle had less than a year when a metalic knocking noise started from the engine. The lifters & other parts has been replaced several times since the begining of the year 2000. Car still has the noise after many attempts to correct the problem and the ford international still does not want to claim the vehicle a defect. The second band of the transmision broke into many parts and the technition of bayamon ford said it was the first time he had seen this on this type of vehicle. He has seen this in explorer & expeditions, but not on ford escorts. Bayamon ford nor auto vega has been able to fix this this problem in more than a year. I also would like to add that another recurring problem in this car is that the headlight socket keeps melting. This is a fire hazzard and it is a recurring problem after replacement of headlight fixture. I noticed that the negative wire is thinner than both of the positive wires, thus causing the over heating & causing it to melt. Another recurring problem is that about every 6 months I have to take the car to the dealer to replace the front struts because they are shot. I would like to get a technition to properly do its job and not to put myself or other people in danger because he/she does not want to blow the whistle on a problem.