Transmission is slipping and does not shift correctly. Timing chain broke while driving and almost caused an accident. Had to have the car towed. Tensioner arm broke while driving shredding the belt. Had to have the car towed.
Ford Escort slipping problems
21 of the 3,480 owner complaints about the Ford Escort describe transmission slipping, most of them for the 1998 model year.
- owner complaints
- 21
- worst model year
- 1998
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20002
- 19992
- 19986
- 19971
- 19953
- 19942
- 19931
- 19914
Often reported together
Transmission failure 2Won't shift 2Stalling 1Engine failure 1Grinding brakes 1
What owners say
Ok, so I just bought my 1999 ford escort zx2 on december 1, 2008 at 82,000 miles. 2 months later I needed to replace my alternator in february 2009. In may 2009 my engine blew, apparently the #1 rod separated and went through the oil pan. I replaced the engine since I still have a loan on the car. It is now july 2009 and my transmission is slipping. I only have owned this car for less than 8 months and repair costs are more than what I paid for this. Unfortunately I can't get rid of it because I don't have enough money for a better car and now I am in this endless cycle of repairs.
Consumer complained about transmission axle slippage and defective brake problems. Vehicle vibrated when accelerating. Consumer had the vehicle inspected by a private mechanic.
While driving transmission slips/ vehicle moves slowly, and engine revs, but vehicle is barely moving. Transmission has been replaced three times. Please provide any further information.
Transmission slips in every gear and shifts hard, especially on cold mornings. Vehicle taken to dealer 2 times, cannot remedy the problem.
10/09/99 nelson ford supposedly fixed a problem with the transmission making terrible noise. 11/27/00 transmission locked up at 75mph on i40 in nc. All american ford replaced transmission and was supposed to be like new. 12/26/00 transmission slipping out of third gear nearly resulting in accident and continues to happen. 01/09/01 wade ford supposedly fixed the problem. Problem still exists and I am scared to drive the vehicle. I have nearly been involved in several accidents because of this unresolved situation and I am conviced that I will die in this vehicle due to the explained situation.
Car wouldn't stay in park sometimes, it was slipping when it shifted and finally quit, with trans. Fluid running out.
While driving down the road heard a loud noise, especially when pulling out from a stop position. When trying to accelerate vehicle would slowdown. Contacted dealer. Dealer replaced transmission twice. Was told that transmission was slipping from second to third gear.
Consumer bought car in march. With 20 miles on vehicle, transmission had to be replaced four times. The first time, transmission was slipping and wouldn't go into gear. The second time, transmission fell apart an hour after she picked it up. Third time, transmission wouldn't go into reverse, and fourth time, transmission would not shift into any gear. It would stay in park and make grinding noise.
Intermittently transmission slips out of gear, causing the vehicle to stall. The dealer repaired the vehicle prior to this incident.
Related recalls
Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the s/r option. The s/r option includes, among other features, a 5-speed manual transmission. On these vehicles, the transmission shift pattern is not displayed in the occupant compartment in view of the driver. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect."
- Risk
- The driver may not be aware of the transmission position of the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Owners will be provided with an adhesive backed plaque containing the shift pattern, along with materials and instructions for locating and affixing the plaque to the vehicle center console, just forward of the shift lever. Owners will also be advised that their dealer can affix the plaque if they prefer.
Recall number 99V276000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Escort slipping
Which Ford Escort years have transmission slipping problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1998 (6 complaints), 1991 (4 complaints) and 1995 (3 complaints).
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