30 problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 1997 Ford Escort. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Flashing air bag readiness light in a "51" pattern.
I turned right into a parking lot and slowly turned right again into a parking space. While I was braking, the car accelerated and hit a building.
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.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Escort. While driving approximately 35 mph, the power steering seized without warning. The vehicle had to be towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wires and fuses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.
Upon turning the vehicle on it stalled . Tried starting it again and it blew up, burning completely to the back seat of the vehicle. There were no warnings or indications.
Request for restitution of losses resulting from a vehicle fire. The passenger area trans equipment/electrical wire) the consumer requested restitution. The consumer stated she many mechanical problems with the vehicle.
The plastic light bulb socket for my center high mount stop lamp (chmsl) has repeatedly melted causing the chmsl to not work. I have gone through two (2) sockets and they have both failed in the same manner.
The vehicle caught on fire.
Air bag light illuminated, the shop asked the consumer to return the vehicle in 2-3 days, during this time a fire occurred in the center module located in the console, later while the vehicle was parked at the dealership, someone noticed the module was again smoldering, claim 28-3088-664.
Vehicle burned from the outside, fire started from underneath the dashboard by the floorboards on the passenger side, possible electrical failure, claim 04-1295-042.
Consumer states prior to fire, lights were flashing on the dash, there was also an odor that smelled like firecrackers, the next day was when smoke was seen coming from the vehicle, fire was in the floorboards which spread when the doors were opened, claim 35-w686-849.
Dash lights began to flash and there was an odor that smelled like a firecracker, vehicle was parked the next day when consumer noticed smoke and fire coming from the floorboards, claim 35-w686-849.
Consumer states prior to fire, lights were flashing on the dash, there was also an odor that smelled like firecrackers, the next day was when smoke was seen coming from the vehicle, fire was in the floorboards which spread when the doors were opened, claim 35-w686-849.
The vehicle began smoking, then caught on fire, damages are under the dash, claim 53-c737-570.
Vehicle caught on fire in the passenger compartment, there is damage under the dash, claim 53-c737-570.
Consumer saw smoke and some sparks come from underneath passenger front seat, the area where sparks and smoke came from is the exact same area where avr had worked, fire department stated the fire was an electrical fire centered under the seat, claim 03-3209-456.
Consumer saw smoke and sparks underneath passenger front seat, vehicle caught on fire quickly after the driver and passenger exited the vehicle, consumer also stated that the area she saw the sparks and smoke is exactly where avr had worked, the fire department stated that the fire was caused by an electrical problem centered under the seat, claim 03-3209-456.
Passenger compartment fire at dash panel, claim 18-0486-942.
Consumer came back to vehicle after a day of work and the interior was smokey, dashboard and interior were burned, adjuster stated electrical fire started in the instrument panel, claim 05-4953-366.
Vehicle caught fire under dashboard, claim 53-c675-364.
Vehicle caught fire under dashboard, claim 53-c675-364.
Consumer had left vehicle at repair shop for the transmission to be checked and to find out why a light in the dash had illuminated, consumer was informed that the heater core had a hole in it, when demanding her vehicle back, she discovered that the vehicle had caught on fire under the dash and that the windshield was burned, nobody contacted her to let her know about the fire, claim 24-5124-338.
Vehicle was parked in parking lot when consumer came out and saw that it was engulfed in smoke, there was a fire in the passenger seat, claim 30-v210-873.
Vehicle was parked in a parking lot and when consumer came to his vehicle, he noticed it was engulfed in smoke and there was a fire on the passenger seat, claim 30-v210-873.
Vehicle was parked overnight and an electrical fire in the passenger compartment damaged the vehcile, claim 55-s207-197.
Vehicle was parked overnight, an electrical fire in the passenger compartment damaged the vehicle, claim 55-s207-197.
Possible electrical failure caused the wires behind the fuse panel to short circuit and melt which could have resulted in injury if a fire occured. However, consumer experienced interior light problems when purchasing the vehicle.
Vehicle experience electrical fire.
Brake light switch and disengagement of the speed control was out of adjustment.
At any speed intermittently vehicle shuts down, possible cause is the electrical system. Dealer is not sure.