general problems of the 1997 Ford Escort

Air bag control diagnostic module shorted out due to ruptured heater core. When I spoke with the local dealership they told me to contact a local junk yard. There is a recall on this item. I never received a recall notice.

Consumer receive recall notice 02-s44 replacement of air bags . Dealer failed to repair the recall. Consumer informed mechanic that the srs light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer stated that the light was not on before recall repairs were done. Service manager tammy.

My client, akruaria wright was driving her 1997 Ford Escort lx sedan south on GA hwy 300, when both the driver and passenger airbags spontaneously deployed. As noted in the police report, there was no contact or impact with any object or vehicle. The road that she was on is a major road; it is paved and in excellent condition. Upon deploying, the airbags forced the dash up and busted the windshield. The airbags, as they deployed, made contact with ms. Wright's face, arms, hands, and chest. On her face, arms , and hands she suffered minor burns from the contact. She also has suffered cervical and thoracic strain from the contact. At this time, the car is still waiting to be repaired. I have contacted the Ford motor company in dearborn, mi, but as of now I have not had a response.

The vehicles air bag caught on fire.

The consumer vehicle experienced symptoms of recall 02-v-323-000 which referenced the air bag monitor. The dealer refused to repair the problem because the vehicle mileage was high.

Air bags deployed and fire melted dash.

Heater core failure resulted in failure of airbag system due to placement of airbag computer without moisture shield.

The recall air bag failed prior to recall notice (recall number 02v323000). The vehicle was parked in the consumers driveway when the air bags deployed. As a result the vehicle caught on fire. The consumer requested reimbursement for the loss of the vehicle.

Horn stuck, does not turn off. To replace, dealer must replace airbag also. Says airbag may malfunction because horn malfunctioned. About 7 similar problems are listed on this web site. This is a safety feature and a malfunction in the horn shouldn't cause problems in the airbag. Plus, it's not a wear and tear item that's wrong with the car. Had a problem with the horn while the car was under warranty and the dealer did not catch this problem with the horn/airbag. Isn't this a safety issue that could put passengers at risk. Who would guess that a problem with the horn may lead to a deployment problem with the airbag?.

Horn does not blow. Was told by a mechanic that problem was a defective air bag.

Vehicle is experiencing erratic operation of horn. Horn will go off without consumer engaging it. Dealership is replacing airbag as well as horn to fix this. Please provide any additional information.

The heater core leaked onto the air bag diagnostic module, causing it to short out and catch on fire. This item was replaced along with the heater core for a cost of $955. 00. I had to remove the battery cable to keep the car from catching on fire and burning up, the service manager at stegall Ford in pontotoc stated I should not have this problem again because the new part was sealed in plastic. I believe this is a serious design flaw after looking at your odi id logs of 865884,867236,845896 and 845837 along with numerous air bag deployments for this model car for no reason. I believe this part was changed by Ford and should have been recalled on all models. I work as a design engineer and if an electrical item is subject to moisture injestion, it should be sealed or potted to eliminate shorts and failure. The placement of this module under the heater core was wrong, I notified Ford and they only apoligized for the heater core leak, they did not acknowlege anything about the air bag module, I again notified them that they should be responsible for payment on this item, since the design had been changed, they have not replied to this in over a week, stating it would only take 3 days for a reply. To me this is a serious issue, I have worked in the past under fda guidelines in the medical industry with reporting and I do not like the way this is being handled by Ford, they are acting like they are trying to hide something, a persons life or personal injury is not something to sweep under the rug, although no one in my family sustained any injury, they could have, I will now try to sell this car as soon as I am able. Thank you jeffrey l plunk.

Vehicle fire involving 1997 Ford Escort. After incident occurred a recall was issued advising a manufacturer defect in air bags and air bag modules. However the vehicle was unable to drive because of severe damages so the dealership voided the recall. The consumer felt that Ford re -actions where unacceptable, and is requesting to be reimbursed for the loss due to manufacturer defect. The safety recall letter issued is (o2s44). Please investigate.

Ford just recently informed me that the defective horn reported just a few weeks out of warranty. Also involves the airbag. Robin marshall of Ford headquarters customer relations informed of this safety risk a couple of weeks ago: (313)845-5831. Ford never informed us of the additional airbag safety risk until this time. I reported the horn malfunction (as it was setting in the garage the horn suddenly sounded at around 2 a. M. ). Ford refuses to fix the problem without the payment of at least $300 and only recently agreed to even inspect the vehicle at their expense. As a result of this inspection (apparently) we were told of the airbag defect which, remember, has existed for years now.

05/25/1999; while driving at 35 mph, the head gasket on engine "blew out" car was undriveable. On 07/15/1999; the horn started honking continuously on it's own, when car was parked & locked. Had to remove fuse to shut off. Dealer said it was a bad air-bag module, not covered by warranty, cost $ 675. 00. 07/25/99, crankshaft pulley broke off, car not driveable. I note 4 other reports on this web-site for the crankshaft pulley, and 1 each for the head-gasket & horn/airbag problems + many other airbag problems.

The air bag burned the vehicles dash. This occurred prior to the consumer receiving the recall notification (recall number 02v-323000).

False deployment of air bag during 10 mph (tap) of a guardrail, resulting in injury to eyes.

In oct of 1998 horn started to activate and won't stop unless driver unplugged it, consumer was out of an airbag and horn for a month, consumer sa0id thatcurrently problem was back, and dealer wastrying to charge consumer $700. 00 to fix this problem.

Air bag had violent deployment upon collision, causing burns, scrapes and bruises.

Steering wheel locked up,brakes failed to operate properly resulting in an accident, no deployment of air bags during collision.

Consumer is 4ft 8in and is concern with the air bags because she sit close to the steering wheel. Nlm.

Smoke was coming from air conditioner after starting vehicle. Vehicle was towed to dealer, technician stated air bag module was on fire. Please provide further information.

Side collision to vehicle and both air bags deployed causing injuries.

Due to moisture in airbag moduler , the moduler shorted out, causing a fire. Because windows were rolled up , it smothered fire out.

The horn will start to blow by itself without anyone in the car or without the car being started. Fuse has to be taken out in order to stop the horn. Dealer had to replace the horn and the airbag.

Recall 02v323000, consumer noticed that after having recall done for integrated air bag monitor contamination dealer had installed the shield over the iabm ,and applied nyogel grease to the connector one month after consumer noticed smoke coming from the wires.

Consumer was proceeding through a green light when another car traveling about 40 mph hit the consumers vehicle. The consumers car went into a spin. None of the airbags deployed.

Consumer notice fog coming fromair conditioner vent while air was running. Vehicle caught on fire under dashboard. Dealer was contacted, technician noticed air bag module was the problem. Please provide further information.