1999 Ford Escort

I PURCHASED MY SE IN NOVEMBER OF 2006 WITH LESS THAN 83K MILES ON IT. THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING IT, ONE OF THE HEAD GASKETS CRACKED. I HAD THE HEAD REPAIRED, AND LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER THAT THE HEAD CRACKED AGAIN. I HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED. I HAVE NOW HAD NEW HEADS, NEW ENGINE, NEW FUEL PUMP AND A NEW ALTERNATOR INSTALLED AND NOW AM HAVING A NEW PROBLEM. WHEN I PULLED OUT FROM A STOP, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE ENGINE IS NOW EMITTING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN STOPPED, AND I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS IS ALL IN ADDITION TO THE VIOLENT SHAKING, FAULTY FRONT HEADLIGHT, TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDS FLUSHED AND LOUD ENGINE NOISE. I HAVE SPENT MORE ON REPAIRS THAN I PAID FOR THE VEHICLE, AND NOW HAVE TO PUT MORE MONEY IN TO IT, AND IT STILL HAS LESS THAN 94K MILES ON IT. THIS IS MY FIRST FORD, AND WILL BE MY LAST. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING 45-55 MPH. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE FUEL SYSTEM DID NOT SHUT OFF, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT. THE ENTIRE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRUSHED; THE CONTENTS OF THE TRUNK STRUCK THE CONTACT CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE REAR END WAS REPLACED.

MY DAUGHTER PURCHASED A USED 1999 FORD ESCORT FROM COOPER FORD, CAMDEN N.Y., FIRST 9 MONTHS WITH CAR OKAY BUT AS SOON AS COLD WEATHER SET IN SHE STARTED HAVING FUEL PUMP FAILURES. THIS FAILURE CAUSES SUDDEN SHUT DOWN OF VEHICLE, TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE FIRST OCASSION WAS WINTER OF 2001-2002, PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED 12-27-02 AND 1-28-03. DEALER INSISTED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FUEL RELATED THAT THESE FUEL PUMPS WERE SENSITIVE TO ADDITIVES IN FUEL. I BELIEVE THERE IS AN UNDERLYING PROBLEM THAT IS BEING OVERLOOKED OR TROUBLSHOOTING BY TECHNICIANS IS INADEQUATE. IF FUEL WAS SOURCE OF PROBLEM EVERY OTHER VEHICLE IN THIS AREA WOULD BE AFFECTED ALSO AND I AM UNAWARE OF ANY MASS EXODUS OF FORDS INTO THE DEALERS FOR NEW FUEL PUMPS. THE POSSIBILITY FOR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT EXISTS AS LONG AS THIS PROBLEM REMAINS UNRESOLVED, THE SUDDEN AND COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF A VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR WHEN PULLING INTO BUSY TRAFFIC ETC. COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS OR FATAL CONSEQUENCES. IN CONVERSATIONS WITH FORD MOTORS CUSTOMER SERVICE I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO RECORD OF THIS TYPE PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE. TECHNICIANS AT DEALER HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH FACTORY REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND ALL THE ENGINEERS COULD COME UP WITH IS A "FUEL PROBLEM" .APPARENTLY LITTLE OR NO FAILURE ANALYSIS IS TAKING PLACE AS TO WHY ONE PARTICULAR VEHICLE WOULD NEED 3 FUEL PUMPS IN APPROX. 13 MONTHS AND ONLY IN THE WINTER TIME. ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES MY DAUGHTER HAS TO DRIVE A "TIMEBOMB" THAT WE IN GOOD CONSCIENCE CAN'T SELL WITH THIS DEFECT. THANK YOU. I HOPE I NEVER HAVE TO FILL OUT THE LOWER PORTION OF THIS PAGE!

THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE BLEW OUT OF THE PUMP AS WE BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE. THE PUMP QUICKLY EMPTIED ITS OIL SUPPLY ONTO THE SERPENTINE BELT, ENGINE BAY & THE DRIVEWAY. IT APPEARS AS IF THE RETAINING O-RING WAS SHEARED IN HALF AS THE MALE FITTING BLEW OUT OF THE RETAINING NUT THAT ATTACHES IT TO THE PUMP. I HAVE DIGITAL CLOSE-UP PICTURES OF THE FAILED PART IF DESIRED (E-MAIL). THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS TOTALLY DISABLING FAILURE IN A 2 YR OLD CAR!!*AK