Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 81 of 576 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Seat Belts. Review the 152 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 129 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
75 crash reports19 fire reports53 injury reports
What owners actually said
576 reports
76,233 miles · Jan 7, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE CONSUMER SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR WHEN IN THE GARAGE. THE CONSUMER THEN NOTICED THE FUEL MILEAGE DROPPED OFF. WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO GET GAS AND RETURNED, HE NOTICED A WET SPOT UNDER THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME HE EXAMINED THE FUEL TANK AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL FILLER PIPE CAP WAS CORRODED AND RUSTED.*…
Read full complaint
THE CONSUMER SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR WHEN IN THE GARAGE. THE CONSUMER THEN NOTICED THE FUEL MILEAGE DROPPED OFF. WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO GET GAS AND RETURNED, HE NOTICED A WET SPOT UNDER THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME HE EXAMINED THE FUEL TANK AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL FILLER PIPE CAP WAS CORRODED AND RUSTED.*AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10048752
112,000 miles · Dec 8, 2003
Seat Belts
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT MOTORIZED SEAT BELT PROBLEM. THE SEAT BELT FROZE ON THE TRACK IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD. HOWEVER, FORD STATED THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING, AND WOULD CHARGE CONSUMER AN ASTRONOMICAL FEE TO REPAIR THE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10050262
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2003
Unknown Or Other
AFTER INSTALLATION OF "MAGNETIZER" (MAGNETIZER.NET) , BOSCH PLATINUM +4 SPARK PLUGS, BOSCH OXYGEN SENSOR, K&N HIGH FLOW AIR FILTER CAR MAKES 36 MPG I TOWN & 39 MPG ON HIGHWAY. THAT SHOWS THAT AFTERMARKET PARTS CAN IMPROVE ANY CARS GAS MILEAGE BY UP TO 25% WHY CAR PRODUCERS DON'T USE THESE TECHNOLOGIES AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT. *…
Read full complaint
AFTER INSTALLATION OF "MAGNETIZER" (MAGNETIZER.NET) , BOSCH PLATINUM +4 SPARK PLUGS, BOSCH OXYGEN SENSOR, K&N HIGH FLOW AIR FILTER CAR MAKES 36 MPG I TOWN & 39 MPG ON HIGHWAY. THAT SHOWS THAT AFTERMARKET PARTS CAN IMPROVE ANY CARS GAS MILEAGE BY UP TO 25% WHY CAR PRODUCERS DON'T USE THESE TECHNOLOGIES AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10049177
Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2003
Suspension
TWICE IN THE ROAD LIFE OF THIS VEHICLE, THE REAR SPRINGS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT USED FOR OFFROAD DRIVING NOR IS IT USED TO HAUL HEAVY LOADS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10047717
100,000 miles · Nov 6, 2003
Fuel System, Other
CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED GAS FUMES COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED GAS LEAKING FROM THE GAS TANK. THE CONSUMER SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10046454
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2003
Seat Belts
DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE, VEHICLE OWNER CITED BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES FOR BELT VIOLATION. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10045252
Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2003
Suspension
UPON RECEIVING SAFETY INSPECTION, WAS INFORMED THAT REAR COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10045219
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2003
Suspension
1995 FORD ESCORT STATION WAGON - REAR SPRINGS CRACKED AND RUSTED THROUGH CRACKED AREAS. REPLACED AND NO COMPENSATION BY FORD FOR DEFECTS. FORD MOTOR REFUSED TO OFFER ANY COMPENSATION FOR THE DEFECTIVE REAR SPRINGS. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043112
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2003
Electrical SystemFire
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH HEARD A PUFF, LOOKED DOWN, AND SAW A FLAM COMING OUT FROM UNDER VEHICLE. HE GOT OUT, AND STARTED TO PULL AS MUCH AS HE COULD OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN HIS FRIEND CAME ALONG, WHO WAS DRIVING A WATER TRUCK, AND THEY TOGETHER PUT THE FLAMES OUT. CONSUMER HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE O…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH HEARD A PUFF, LOOKED DOWN, AND SAW A FLAM COMING OUT FROM UNDER VEHICLE. HE GOT OUT, AND STARTED TO PULL AS MUCH AS HE COULD OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN HIS FRIEND CAME ALONG, WHO WAS DRIVING A WATER TRUCK, AND THEY TOGETHER PUT THE FLAMES OUT. CONSUMER HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE HE WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10042493
111,385 miles · Oct 1, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SYMPTOMS OF RECALLS #97V144000 AND RECALL#97V145000 RELATED TO A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS A RECALL THAT DID NOT INCLUDE NEW MEXICO. *AK *NLM
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO OR WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANTS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN NEVADA, FLORIDA, HAWAII, TEXAS, CALIFORNIA, LOUISIANA, GEORGIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, MISSISSIPPI, OKLAHOMA, ALABAMA AND ARKANSAS. CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK WALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENTS. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT HEAT SHIELD LOCATION OR FUNCTION, AS THE ATTACHMENTS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP THE SHIELD IN PLACE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSTALLATION, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS RETAIN THE HEAT SHIELD.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ARIZONA. CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK WALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENTS. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT HEAT SHIELD LOCATION OR FUNCTION, AS THE ATTACHMENTS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP THE SHIELD IN PLACE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSTALLATION, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS RETAIN THE HEAT SHIELD.
THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CAN HAVE AN INADEQUATELY WELDED INFLATOR CANISTER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE WELD SEAM CAN SEPARATE, CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO FAIL TO DEPLOY PROPERLY AND HOT GASES TO BE EXPELLED FROM THE BACK OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY FROM THE HOT GASES AND THE AIR BAG FAILURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG MODULE.
TWO BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM MODULE TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE MISSING. IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT, THE MODULE CAN COME OUT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS WOULD NOT RESTRAIN THE PASSENGER AND WOULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL AND TORQUE TO SPECIFICATION THE MOUNTING BOLTS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Illustration