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: 9 of 15 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 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
15 reports
85,000 miles · Jul 18, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON 06/12/03 WHILE DRIVING, THE TIMING BELT BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. DEALER REPAIRED. ON 06/24/03 WHILE DRIVING, THE TIMING BELT BROKE AGAIN, AND CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE "CRANK" HAD TOO MUCH "PLAY" WHERE IT FITTED INTO THE DRIVETRAIN. THIS CAUSED THE TIMING BELT TO BREAK TWICE, W…
Read full complaint
ON 06/12/03 WHILE DRIVING, THE TIMING BELT BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. DEALER REPAIRED. ON 06/24/03 WHILE DRIVING, THE TIMING BELT BROKE AGAIN, AND CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE "CRANK" HAD TOO MUCH "PLAY" WHERE IT FITTED INTO THE DRIVETRAIN. THIS CAUSED THE TIMING BELT TO BREAK TWICE, WHICH RESULTED IN ENGINE FAILURE. *AK THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT A PART FROM THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION TO THE ENGINE FROM AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10025018
54,300 miles · Feb 15, 2003
Visibility
I HAD LEFT MY FAN AND HEAT ON FROM PREVIOUS DAY. THAT MORNING THE FAN WOULD NOT BLOW. PH
NHTSA ODI #10007539
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. AS PER OWNER'S MANUAL COULD BE EMISSION PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE ROUTE ROAD,GOING UP A HILL IN THIRD GEAR AND SHIFTING INTO FOURTH GEAR, VEHICLE SUDDENLY TURNED INTO A 360 DEGREE ANGLE AND LANDED IN A DITCH. DIDN'T CONTACT DEALER. WAS TOLD THAT THE UNIBODY WAS CROOKED. CAR HAD BEEN BACK ABOUT 1 WEEK LATER. GOING NORTH ON STATE ROUTE WITH SOME SNOW ON THE ROA…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE ROUTE ROAD,GOING UP A HILL IN THIRD GEAR AND SHIFTING INTO FOURTH GEAR, VEHICLE SUDDENLY TURNED INTO A 360 DEGREE ANGLE AND LANDED IN A DITCH. DIDN'T CONTACT DEALER. WAS TOLD THAT THE UNIBODY WAS CROOKED. CAR HAD BEEN BACK ABOUT 1 WEEK LATER. GOING NORTH ON STATE ROUTE WITH SOME SNOW ON THE ROAD, AND SHIFTING FROM THIRD GEAR TO FOURTH GEAR WHILE TRAVELLING 35 MPH, VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN TURNED INTO 360 DEGREE ANGLE AND LANDED IN A DITCH, FACING SOUTH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #856383
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.
1999 Ford ZX2 (Escort) Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration