Faults:

The rear springs and shocks went out on it, but that was after 300000kms so not bad.

The clutch went out on it at 330000.

Windows in door are loose and tend to break if you slam the door too hard.

General Comments:

Engine is still going strong.

A great car on gas, the best I got was 50 mpg and it only has a 4 speed in it.

Decent power, top speed of about 170 km/h and not bad acceleration.

Faults:

Electric cooling fan switch failed.

Brake line stuck, causing shoe to wear out, which tore up the rotor-replaced brake line, shoes, and rotor.

Repacked rear wheel bearings.

Engine started to buck and make loud bangs when under hard acceleration.

While highway driving, the engine would stall, then return to normal.

Car would shimmy bad while driving over 50mph, probably ball joints.

Engine would not start, left me stranded, had it towed to my house, where the engine started up, but then quickly shut off again. never happened again.

Upon accelerating, engine would hesiitate.

General Comments:

I will not buy any ford product ever again.

These cars were not built to last, my Pontiac has over 235,000 miles and still drives flawless.

Ford was sued because the ignition control modules would fail, leaving people stranded, but when I went to get mine replaced, free of charge, I was told ford was only doing a survey to see how many people bought new modules. these cars were,(notice i used the word were because they're all in the junkyard) terrible on gas, un-reliable, costly to repair, ugly, slow, underpowered, and proudly carry a blue oval.

Faults:

Steering arms.

Rust in the rear arches.

Rust in the boot-lid.

Worn driver's seat.

General Comments:

These cars can be neglected to a point, for example mine recently had an oil change, the first in at least 40,000 miles, but before it still ran perfectly and started first time every time.

The best way to avoid the common rust problem is a good thick coat of rust proof paint (Tekaloid).

When buying a mk4 Escort check the rear arches for rot.

Faults:

Nothing apart from a damaged alloy wheel from hitting a pot hole in the road.

General Comments:

It's a cracking car with great performance, the only thing that I'd change it for is an Escort Cosworth!

Faults:

Water pump rocker arms wore out, but fixed by my father and I.

It now exceeds my expectations.

General Comments:

Great car. I wish it had air con, but it does have a 15 watt CD deck, a 600 watt amp and two 6.5 mids, four 1.5 tweeters and one 12 inch MTX sub.. Pumps out pretty good for a pretty old car.