Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 4 of 8 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
8 reports
117,000 miles · Dec 21, 2011
Seats
THE PLASTIC COVER ON THE SEAT-BACK RELEASE HANDLE ( PASSENGER SIDE) OF MY 1998 FORD ESCORT ZX2 HAS BECOME BROKEN AND WILL POP OFF WHEN THE SEAT BACK IS RELEASED. AS A RESULT, ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20TH, I SEVERELY LACERATED MY FINGER ON THE SHARP METAL LEVER INSIDE THE PLASTIC COVER WHILE RELEASING THE SEAT BACK. THIS IS A VERY U…
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THE PLASTIC COVER ON THE SEAT-BACK RELEASE HANDLE ( PASSENGER SIDE) OF MY 1998 FORD ESCORT ZX2 HAS BECOME BROKEN AND WILL POP OFF WHEN THE SEAT BACK IS RELEASED. AS A RESULT, ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20TH, I SEVERELY LACERATED MY FINGER ON THE SHARP METAL LEVER INSIDE THE PLASTIC COVER WHILE RELEASING THE SEAT BACK. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10440837
130,000 miles · Jul 29, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury
A STALLED SUBURBAN IN THE #1 LANE AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL BECAME VISIBLE WHEN THE VAN DIRECTLY AHEAD OF ME SWERVED AT THE LAST MOMENT. I HIT THE BRAKES BUT HIT THE SUV AND TOTALED MY ESCORT. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELT CAUSED A BROKEN STERNUM, CRACKED RIBS. ALSO HAD RIGHT ARM BROKEN IN 3 PLACES WHILE BRACI…
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A STALLED SUBURBAN IN THE #1 LANE AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL BECAME VISIBLE WHEN THE VAN DIRECTLY AHEAD OF ME SWERVED AT THE LAST MOMENT. I HIT THE BRAKES BUT HIT THE SUV AND TOTALED MY ESCORT. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELT CAUSED A BROKEN STERNUM, CRACKED RIBS. ALSO HAD RIGHT ARM BROKEN IN 3 PLACES WHILE BRACING FOR IMPACT. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID DEPLOY, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO PASSENGER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10236229
40,000 miles · Jul 14, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
CAR MAKES HIDIOUSLY LOUD SCREECHING SOUND. MECHANICS CAN'T FIND WHERE IT IS. I REPLACED MANY PARTS BUT THE SOUND CONTINUES TO COME OUT.
NHTSA ODI #10128790
79,682 miles · Dec 12, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
CLOSE CALL: THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF AND THE CAR LOOSES POWER STEERING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10049668
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2003
Suspension
I HAVE A '1998 FORD ZX2. IT'S REALLY MAKING SQUEAKING SOUND SINCE AROUND 2 YEARS AGO, I AM SURE THAT THIS IS NOT AN USUAL SQUEAKING SOUND YOU IMAGINE. I HAD MY CAR INSPECTED AT FORD DEALERSHIP AND OTHER CAR REPAIR CENTER. BEFORE INSPECTION, EVERY MECHANICIAN GUARANTEED HE COULD FIX IT. BUT AFTER LOOKING AT MY CAR, THEY JUST WOND…
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I HAVE A '1998 FORD ZX2. IT'S REALLY MAKING SQUEAKING SOUND SINCE AROUND 2 YEARS AGO, I AM SURE THAT THIS IS NOT AN USUAL SQUEAKING SOUND YOU IMAGINE. I HAD MY CAR INSPECTED AT FORD DEALERSHIP AND OTHER CAR REPAIR CENTER. BEFORE INSPECTION, EVERY MECHANICIAN GUARANTEED HE COULD FIX IT. BUT AFTER LOOKING AT MY CAR, THEY JUST WONDERING WHY, AND THEY GAVE UP, AND I JUST SHOULD PAID. I TRIED TO REPLACE ALL KINDS OF BELTS AND COMPRESSA(?), BUT I JUST WASTED MY MONEY ABOUT $2,000 FOR THAT. AND THERE'S STILL LOUD SOUND OF PROBLEM. WHEN I REPORTED AT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT MY CAR, THEY E-MAIL ME THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT WITHIN 3 BUSINESS DAY, BUT THEY DIDN'T.HE FORD IS SO "IRRESPONSIBLE". I THINK I DID EVERY THING I CAN.*AK EVERYBODY ON THE ROAD IS LAUGHING AT ME AND MY CAR, WHILE I AM DRIVING. I SHOULD SELL MY CAR NOW, BUT WHO CAN BUY THIS KIND OF BAD FORD CAR? PLEASE TELL ME WHAT SHOULD I DO. THANKS.
NHTSA ODI #10029210
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
CONSUMER STATES WHEN ACCELERATING VEHCILE MAKES A VERY WIERD NOISE. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10026684
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2001
Power Train
WHILE DRIVINH 65 MPH PASSENGER TAPPED GEARSHIFT AND VEHICLE JUMPED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT GEARSHIFT BUTTON BEING PUSHED. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TIMES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #882469
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2000
Structure
DRIVER APPARENTLY LOOKED AWAY AND RAN OFF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, FLIPPED OVER AND THE DRIVRERS SIDE DOOR BECAME AJAR AND THE DRIVER WAS CRUSHED, INVESTIGATOR SAID THE DOOR SHOULD NOT HAVE COME OPEN. NLM
NHTSA ODI #553053
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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.
1998 Ford ZX2 (Escort) Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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