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 won't shift problems
16 of the 3,480 owner complaints about the Ford Escort describe stuck in gear or won't shift, most of them for the 1991 model year.
- owner complaints
- 16
- worst model year
- 1991
- typical mileage
- 75,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20021
- 20012
- 20001
- 19992
- 19981
- 19971
- 19943
- 19932
- 19913
Often reported together
Slipping 2Sudden acceleration 1Seat belt 1Grinding brakes 1ABS 1
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns 2001 ford escort. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift out of park after engine startup. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the shifter and shift console needed to be replaced. The contact also mentioned that the rear passenger seat belt was twisted and causing the seat belt to not lock properly. The manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 35,000 and the current mileage was 75,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford escort. The contact stated that the shift anti- lock actuator failed and the vehicle would not shift out of park. The vehicle was repaired october 24, 2003 when the dealer replaced the shifter and the cable assembly. The contact stated that the failure recurred. In addition, the contact stated that the rear passenger seat belt did not work properly and that the shoulder strap would not buckle properly. The failure mileage was 75,000. The ABS light would randomly illuminate. Updated 12/15/11 updated 12/28/11*lj the right rear seat belt was twisted, which made it inoperable, the brake shift inter-lock malfunctioned and the consumer was unable to shift the from park to drive. Updated 03.12.12
Dt*: the contact stated while having routine tire maintenance done at a garage, the mechanic determined the rear spring was fractured. The contact did not have any problems with the vehicle. Updated 11/21/2006 - the consumer contacted the manufacture but they did not respond. The vehicle would not shift from park. The dealer replaced the shift lock system.
Consumer stated vehicle will not shift gears properly. Dealer indicated transmission malfunctioned.
Consumer stated that while driving and without warning the vehicle will stick in park and will not shift gears causing a distraction to the consumer. Dealer notified. Ts
Vehicle lunged forward while in neutral, causing a front end collision with garage wall. Dealer has been contacted, and informed consumer that oil pan was dented. Also, vehicle will not shift into reverse. Please provide further details.
Not only was my rebate check stolen by someone working at the dealership but I have complained so many times since purchasing my car. I believe that I 've been given the run around because I've just past qualifying for california's lemon law. My car is unsafe it rolls back on hills and now it won't go into park. I've had problems since buying the car. No safety defect.
Consumer states vehicle will not shift properly, it often revs at high RPM and does not return to a normal RPM unless vehicle comes to a complete stop, possible transmission problems.
Driver and passenger automatic seat belts will not release from retracting mechanism. Also, gears will not shift into reverse, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
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 won't shift
Which Ford Escort years have stuck in gear or won't shift problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1991 (3 complaints), 1994 (3 complaints) and 1993 (2 complaints).
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