Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
1125–50K
1050–75K
475–100K
3100–150K
2150K+
34 reports with mileage · 64 unknown
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
22 crash reports2 fire reports15 injury reports
What owners actually said
98 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2001
Power Train
SLIPS GOING IN AND OUT OF DRIVE OR REVERSE, WHEN GOING TO STOP AT ALL, IT GOES FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL ALL BY ITSELF., ALSO SLIPS A LITTLE BIT WHILE DRIVING, NOT ALWAYS. I FEAR THAT THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE. I AM AFRAID THAT IF I'M DRIVING ALONG WITH MY TWO YEAR OLD SON IN THE CAR AND I GO TO STOP FOR SOMTHING RUNNING ACROS…
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SLIPS GOING IN AND OUT OF DRIVE OR REVERSE, WHEN GOING TO STOP AT ALL, IT GOES FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL ALL BY ITSELF., ALSO SLIPS A LITTLE BIT WHILE DRIVING, NOT ALWAYS. I FEAR THAT THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE. I AM AFRAID THAT IF I'M DRIVING ALONG WITH MY TWO YEAR OLD SON IN THE CAR AND I GO TO STOP FOR SOMTHING RUNNING ACROSS THE ROAD, OR WHAT EVER, THAT I WONT BE ABLE TO MOVE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION IS STUCK AND THIS BIG HUGE SEMI RUNS INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR, KILLING MY SON. SORRY, BUT I WELL THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO TAKE THAT EXTRA RISK. I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT THOUGHT IN ANY OTER VEHICLE, BUT IT IS LIKE 100 TIMES MORE WITH THIS ONE. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER 3 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE SAME THING. TWO OUT OF THE THREE TIMES, THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE THIRD TIME THEY GOT IT TO DO WHAT IT WAS DOING TO ME, BUT YET THAT WAS NORMAL...SO THEY SAY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #755137
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2001
Suspension
CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO OPERATE VEHICLE IN RAIN OR SNOW BECAUSE REAR END OF VEHICLE CAUSES VEHICLE TO SLIP AND SLIDE, AND IT IS DIFFICULT FOR CONSUMER TO CONTROL STEERING. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #898134
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2001
Suspension
WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT,MY2000 ESCORT ZX2,I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A VERY EXCESSIVE VIBRATION FELT WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING. IT CAN BE FELT EVERYWHERE IN THE CAR.FRONT SEATS,BACK SEATS,EVERYWHERE. YOU CAN EVEN SEE THE STEERING WHEEL IN A VIBRATING MOTION,AND CAN SEE IT IN THE OUTSIDE DOOR MIRROR.YOU CAN STAND OUTSIDE THE CAR,AND TH…
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WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT,MY2000 ESCORT ZX2,I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A VERY EXCESSIVE VIBRATION FELT WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING. IT CAN BE FELT EVERYWHERE IN THE CAR.FRONT SEATS,BACK SEATS,EVERYWHERE. YOU CAN EVEN SEE THE STEERING WHEEL IN A VIBRATING MOTION,AND CAN SEE IT IN THE OUTSIDE DOOR MIRROR.YOU CAN STAND OUTSIDE THE CAR,AND THE FRONT BUMPER AND BODY PANELS ARE SHAKING ALSO.I HAVE HAD THE CAR INTO THE DEALER SEVERSL TIMES AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THIS VIBRATION IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE ESCORT ZX2.SO THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I GUESS THEY THINK IF THEY KEEP TELLING ME THE SAME THINGS EVERY TIME I TAKE THE CAR IN, THAT I WILL GIVE UP,AND TRADE THE CAR IN ON SOMETHING ELSE,THEN THEY WOULD BE OFF THE HOOK. BUT THEY ARE WRONG,BECAUSE OTHER THEN THE BAD VIBRATION, MY WIFE AND I LOVE THE CAR. I JUST WANT IT FIXED. WHAT DO YOU THINK. THANKS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #752902
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2001
Air BagsCrash
WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON HIGHWAY THERE WAS A STALLED VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY INSIDE RIGHT LANE , AND SHE RAN INTO BACK OF VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #893752
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2001
Power Train
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #743779
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
INTERMITTENTLY CLUTCH CATCHES LOW, AND AT OTHER TIMES IT CATCHES HIGH. VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND DIES. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #884764
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 25MPH AND ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. *YH
NHTSA ODI #884390
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH POWER STEERING WENT OUT. DEALER FOUND SERPENTINE BELT HAD SNAPPED, CAUSING BRACKET TO WATER PUMP HOUSING TO BREAK. TENSION ROD AND WATERPUMP HOUSING WERE REPLACED AT COSNUMER'S COST. *AK
NHTSA ODI #881231
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2001
Seat BeltsCrashInjury
VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM REAR AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK, AND DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HEAD/EYES, AND NECK. VEHICLE AT DEALER'S BODY SHOP. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #880561
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2001
Air BagsCrash
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 60MPH ON HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING UP ON ROAD, GOING WRONG WAY. VEERED INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, CAUSING IT TO CRASH. DUAL AIRBAGS DIDNT DEPLOY. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES OF YOUR VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 26, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2000 Ford Escort Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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