1994 Ford Escort LX Wagon

Summary:

Comfortable and reliable all in one low-cost package

Faults:

The automatic seat belt began to malfunction. The relay to the air conditioning went bad, but only cost about ten dollars to have replaced.

General Comments:

The car provides exceptional pickup speed compared to most wagons. The size is excellent for parking and maneuvering. The turning radius is excellent as well. Our family of five fit comfortably as the kids were still young. There was plenty of cargo space in back. The roof rack was used often, when the trunk was full. The sleek design was appreciated.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 18th October, 2002

1994 Ford Escort GS 1.9

Summary:

A curse!

Faults:

My drivers side power seat belt was broken when I got it.

My check engine light was on when I bought the car and eventually burnt out.

My passenger side door does not unlock on the outside.

My heater doesn't work.

My air conditioner doesn't work.

I have to replace my headlight bulbs about once every 3 weeks.

I have to replace the tire once every 2,000 miles.

Any key can unlock my doors.

It shuts off every time I come to a stop, if I don't put it in neutrual.

It has a hard time going into reverse.

The car starts to shake if you get over 50 miles per hour.

I know I am forgetting things.

General Comments:

I have been in 6 accidents with the car, before I bought it it was in 4. I don't think I am a bad driver at all (only 1 accident was my fault). I think the car is cursed. Also all my accidents were on Fridays. That's just weird.

I don't have anything nice to say it barely gets me from point A to B.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th July, 2002

22nd Aug 2002, 14:20

To get in six accidents. Well, how well does a car run after that? Or the question is how do you take car of your car?

20th Dec 2005, 18:30

Did you change your transmission fluid with the correct fluid (for the transmission problem)? Also, remember, the transmission won't shift out of park unless the brake is applied.

Did you have your idle and O2 sensors checked (for the stalling problem)?

Did you get your radiator, heater core and thermostat checked (for the heat problem)?

Did you get a 4 wheel alignment done (to fix the tire wear problems)?

It sounds like you have problems, but you don't seem to do anything to deal with them, let alone avoid future problems.

As for whether you're a good driver... well I've had one collision and two tickets in 15.5 years/200,000 miles of driving. I think I'm a pretty good driver and my low insurance premium seems to confirm this.

How can you reasonably think you're a good driver if you've had two collisions in less than 25,000 miles (since you bought the car)... and SIX collisions in less than 11 years.

Sorry... not only do you need to educate yourself in maintaining a car, you would probably do well to get yourself some extra driver training.

30th Apr 2009, 01:38

I know Escorts can take a beating, but even they have limits, maintenance is always key to long life. I have had many Escorts over the years, and they keep right on going, but one thing was true of each one, I took care of it. As a former Ford mechanic, read the manual if it has one, they have some good stuff in there on intervals.

12th Jul 2009, 04:47

WOW. It never ceases to amaze me how some owners blame THE CAR for owner abuse! Let me make sure I have this correct... this car has been in TEN ACCIDENTS? Four before you got it and six while it was yours??

I am amazed ANYTHING works! But the problems you are having are hardly Ford's fault. Find a well-maintained Escort and I suspect you will not have any trouble.