Ford Escort ball joint problems

Filed Apr 30, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · 115,000 miles · WI

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford escort. When making a right turn at various speeds, the contact heard a clunking sound coming from the front end ball joints. The dealer stated that the brake pads, rotors, drums, and front wheel bearing on the passenger side needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the odometer and speedometer have both been replaced three times, but she does not trust that the speedometer is currently working properly. The failure mileage was 115,000. Updated 06-03/08. *lj the tie rod end, rear spring, windshield, upper ball joint, odometer knob, real passenger seal were all replaced. Updated 05/30/08

Filed Mar 6, 2008 · Body, Brakes · 187,000 miles · PA

I was sold a 1998 ford escort zx2 for 800 dollars, from but behind a local dealership. The dealership did the notary, and they were the ones who signed off on the car and gave me a hand written receipt with someone else's name on it. They also did the inspection later on after we replaced one of the ball joints. We had the car looked at by another official inspection station and they said the car was a death trap. We contacted a state trooper. He did an inspection, failed the car, and took the sticker. There was a long list of problems. I tried to get a refund before I got the cops involved and he refused. This was also before the 10 days were up for the inspection. I paid for the car on the 13th of feb. 2008.

Filed Aug 28, 2007 · Steering · 54,000 miles · NY

I bought this 1999 escort from a dealer. It was used with around 20k miles on it. I made the dealer change out the tie rod ends before I took it because I noticed they were bad. The car now has 54k miles on it and the passenger side tie rod end failed causing the car to skid and turn into oncoming traffic. Due to a quick-reacting oncoming driver, no accident happened. However, this could have LED to a serious accident and possibly deaths. The tow truck driver said that whenever he gets a call for a failed tie-rod, its an escort. This was definitely changed too. I checked it myself after the dealer did them. Therefore the tie rod ends only lasted for around 35k miles before extreme failure occurred. Something has to be wrong with the steering/suspension design in this model car. Every other car I have owned I've driven into the 100k mile range and still no problems with the tie rod ends. What is the deal here?

Filed Aug 2, 2007 · Electrical · 170,000 miles · MI · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1993 ford escort. While the vehicle was parked in a mechanic's garage, it caught fire. The fire destroyed the vehicle, the other vehicles in the garage, and the garage itself. The fire department stated that the fire originated under the dashboard of his vehicle, possibly the ignition switch. A police and fire report were filed. The vehicle was at the shop for new brakes and tie rods. Updated 02/01/08.

Filed Jan 8, 2006 · Steering, Suspension · 88,000 miles · CT

I took my 99 ford escort to a auto repair shop to fix one front tie rod (another frequent problem on escort) and the mechanic told me that one of the spings in the rear suspension was broken. I did not notice anything different when driving and I don't know for how long it has been broken. The mechanic also said that this is a frequent problem with escort, and advised me to check the existance of a recall with a ford dealer. To this date (jan 2006) there is no recall. He also advised me to keep the receipt of the repair ($ 750 to replace the springs and struts on both sides) in case a recall will be made in the future.

Filed Oct 7, 2005 · Steering, Suspension · MI

Dt: consumer took 1998 ford escort for a oil change on september 30, 2005. The mechanic found both rear coils springs broke. The rear struts were damaged, and the left front tie rod was broken. The mileage on my vehicle at time of service was 71, 127 miles. The consumer used the car for shopping and pleasure with no hard driving at her age. She was surprised to hear this was common for the 1997 and 1998 ford escorts. I had other ford escorts prior to this one and I had no problem. This problem cost the consumer $732. Had not contacted dealership or manufacturer. Had no accidents. The consumer was not aware that this vehicle had all these problems. This vehicle drives much better and is quieter since had the problems fixed.

Filed Jul 22, 2005 · Brakes, Steering · 131,569 miles · MI

Dt: the vehicle was a 1999 ford escort. Both of the back coil springs were broken. Consumer found this out when getting the brakes inspected. The front brake rotors, tie rods and the rear struts including the coil springs needed to be replaced. The inspection took place on 7-8-05. Consumer took the vehicle to a ford dealer to have all the parts replaced. They were replaced on 7-20/22-05. Vehicle was shaking before hand. Consumer knew that ford company issued a recall issue concerning this problem with some of their other models. *ak updated 11/02/2005.

Filed Mar 28, 2005 · Engine, Steering · 32,000 miles · PA

While driving , the steering wheel felt loose and made a loud noise. The dealer replaced the tie rod at owner's expense. *jb consumer feels that she should be reimbursed for the cost of repairs. The vehicle's rear coil springs broke at 16219 miles. The front coil spring broke at 16279 miles and was replaced under warranty. Catalytic converter failed causing noise. *bf

Filed Sep 10, 2004 · Engine, Steering · NY

Consumer's daughter was driving and vehicle shook when in reverse. Took vehicle to dealer, and they told her tie rods were defective. Another dealer told her it was the motor mounts.

Filed Aug 18, 2004 · Steering · 23,200 miles · WI

I took my 1998 ford escort to gagne ford in princeton, wisconsin, to have the oil changed. The technician informed me that they recommend replacing the tie rods. "outer tie rod ends. Right outer is loose. Left outer is siezed." since there is only 23,200 miles on the car, I checked for recalls. Are people just having this repair done and not reporting it? Do I really need this work done?