1996 Ford Escort suspension problems
13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the suspension on the 1996 Ford Escort — 6% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Abnormal rate of rear springs on late 90's ford escort station wagons. I am a mechanic with brownies auto repair in walkersville,md. I personally have replaced the rear springs on at least 8 escort wagons. I have checked other escort wagons and find most broken in the same spot. Could puncture tire.”
filed Feb 19, 2003
“I never hauled anything heavy in the back of my station wagon. The rear coil springs were hollow not solid and failed because they rusted through as a result of water collecting in the bottom of the support which holds the base of the spring in the correct position. My mechanic said that many times…”
filed Sep 17, 2002
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Some vehicles produced through july 1999 may exhibit rear suspension spring failure with no resulting operational concern. *tt
14993 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 2001
Suspension problems in other Escort years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 Escort | 4 | 12% |
| 2001 Escort | 9 | 13% |
| 2000 Escort | 8 | 8% |
| 1999 Escort | 42 | 13% |
| 1998 Escort | 50 | 13% |
| 1997 Escort | 67 | 12% |
| 1995 Escort | 37 | 6% |
| 1994 Escort | 18 | 6% |
| 1993 Escort | 19 | 5% |
| 1992 Escort | 7 | 4% |
| 1991 Escort | 9 | 3% |
| 1989 Escort | 2 | 1% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1996 Ford Escort
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.