RoadVitals

2000 Ford Escort

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
98
Latest Jan 5, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jul 12, 2004
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
24
21 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 98 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Ford Escort, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and transmission categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 35 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
04E048000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

Jul 12, 2004
388 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN TRW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED ON DECEMBER 6 AND 9, 2002, FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1997 FORD ESCORT 4-DOOR AND STATION WAGON PLATFORM VEHICLES, FORD'S P/N F7CZ54611B09AAC. THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT A NO-LOCK CONDITION WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.
TRW OCCUPANT SAFETY SYSTEMSView on NHTSA.gov
00V228001

SEAT BELTS

Aug 18, 2000
144,435 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
The 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.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 00S21View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 98
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 5, 2016

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. TENSIONER ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING SHREDDING THE BELT. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED.

NHTSA ID
10817765
Incident
Jun 9, 2012
Mileage
100,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 9, 2015

THE FIRST DEFECT IS ABOUT THE SHIFTING GEARS LIGHT. I CAN NOT SEE THE SHIFTING GEARS AT NIGHT UNLESS I TURN THE CAR'S LIGHT ON OR SOMETIMES I USE A LIGHT APP TO SEE THEM. THIS IS BECAUSE THE SHIFTING GEARS DON'T SHOW UP ON THE SCREEN AND ALSO THERE'S NO LED LIGHTS FOR THE SHIFTING GEARS THE OTHER PROBLEM I WANT TO REPORT IS THAT THESE CARS HAVE ALWAYS HAD LOUD NOISES AND I AM SUSPECTING THERE'S TRANSMISSION/ENGINE DEFECTS. NOW I AM LEFT WITH A DISABLED VEHICLE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION JUST DECIDED TO BREAK ON ME, I DROVE IT PERFECTLY FINE THE DAY BEFORE IT BROKE DOWN. THE NEXT DAY, AS I WAS USING THE CAR, I TURNED IT ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME REALLY HARD AND THE CAR WAS MOVING SUPER SLOWLY SO I DECIDED TO PARK IT RIGHT BACK. AFTER I TOLD A MECHANIC EXPERT ABOUT IT, HE TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE. I DON'T HAVE NO MONEY TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT COST A LOT OF MONEY. FORD SHOULD REALLY TAKE A LOOK AT THIS VEHICLE AND FIX THE MANY DEFECTS THEY CAME UP WITH

NHTSA ID
10781190
Incident
Oct 7, 2015
Mileage
152,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 2, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES AND CRASHED INTO A VAN. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH SUCH AN EXTREME FORCE THAT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE, CHEST, AND RIGHT ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10680515
Incident
Nov 16, 2014
Mileage
179,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 19, 2012

MY WIFE WAS RETURNING HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL WHERE OUR DAUGHTER RECEIVED OUTPATIENT CHEMO THERAPY . AT THE FIRST LIGHT LEAVING THE HOSPITAL THE CAR STARTED SHAKING. MY DAUGHTER THOUGHT HER DOOR WAS OPEN , SO SHE OPENED THE DOOR AND CLOSED IT TO VERIFY THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THEY ENTERED THE HIGHWAY AND WENT ABOUT 1/4 MILE AND THE CAR MADE A RUMBLING NOISE AND 1 OR 2 MINUTES LATER THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS DRAGING SOMETHING. MY WIFE PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND CALLED ME. I WENT DOWN TO ASSIST HER IN CHANGING THE FLAT TIRE.THE TIRE SIDE WALL ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE SEPERATED IN SEVERAL PLACES . THERE ARE 11 PLACES WHERE THE BELTS SEPERATED CAUSING INSTANTIOUS FAILURE.. ALL SEPERATIONS OCCURED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE. THERE IS NO SIGN OF ANYTHING PUNCTURING THE TIRE TO CAUSE IT TO GO FLAT. THERE IS NO SIGN OF ANY OBJECDT CONTACTING THE TIRE ANYWHERE EXCEPT FOR NORMAL TIRE WEAR ON THE TREAD SURFACE OF THE TIRE. I HAVE THE TIRE IF YOU WANT TO ANNALISE IT.LUCKILY THEY WERE NOT AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED YET WHERE THEY COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS MAINTAIINED REGULARY AND THE TIRES ARE IN ALMOST NEW CONDITION. THE CORRECT TIRE SIZE IS NOT LISTED ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE IT IS IRONMAN 195 60 R15. DOT CODE 53JL OTHER NUMBERS INCLUED ON THE TIRE ARE SH09 4409 INSIDE A BOX IS: C4 FOLLOWED BY 0248560S IMAX. ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE IS A CIRCLE WITH E4 INSIDE OF IT FOLLOWED BY 0244851. I THINK THAT IS ALL OF THE IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ON THE TIRE.

NHTSA ID
10462342
Incident
Jun 19, 2012
Mileage
113,303 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 9, 2010

FORD ESCORT 2000 COUPE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON; I.E., MY WIFE GOT IN THE CAR AND BEFORE SHE EVEN STARTED THE ENGINE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE REAR WINDOW WITH DEFROSTER SHATTERED INTO A MILLION PIECES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10365161
Incident
Nov 8, 2010
Mileage
43,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 13, 2009

BURN OUT MOTOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10295502
Incident
Apr 13, 2009
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 23, 2009

VEHICLE DROPS IN RPM WHILE STOPPING...UPON RESEARCH OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM...THIS IS ON THE FORD ESCORT ZX2...ALL MODELS FROM 1999-TO NOW... *TR

NHTSA ID
10259624
Incident
Feb 9, 2009
Suspension
Filed Jan 9, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD ESCORT. IN AN ATTEMPT TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES AND AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PUT ON A LIFT, THE TIRE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS FAILED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS REGARDING THE SPRINGS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,009 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

NHTSA ID
10214294
Incident
Jan 5, 2008
Mileage
33,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

CSP-08B01

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

FORD: CERTAIN 1999-2001 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN NEW YORK AND CERTAIN 2001 VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF MAINE, CERTIFIED FOR SALE IN CALIFORNIA-FEDERAL EMISSION WARRANTY REFUND. *PE

19016

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

REPLACE TIMING BELT IDLER PULLEY DURING 2.0L ZETEC ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD REPLACEMENT - SERVICE TIP. *TT

042107

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT

04189

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW

REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT

04174

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED - SYSTEM LEAN DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) - SERVICE TIPS. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2004 F-SERIES. *TT

04V09

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. IS RECALLING CERTAIN SERVICE REPLACEMENT SEATBELT RETRACTORS (DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT RETRACTOR IN GRAY) MANUFACTURED IN DECEMBER 2002 AND SOLD AS A SERVICE REPLACEMENT PART BETWEEN DECEMBER 2002 AND JULY 2004. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Escort by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003101037.7
2002331043.4
2001681047.6
2000Viewing982054.2
19993252161.5
19983751155.2
19975432265.3
19962051047.7
19955765161.0
19942792056.7
19933793159.1
19921623159.4
19913274669.4
19901012370.2
19891521262.7
19881432571.7
1987563775.1
1986452773.2
1985263973.4
1984213673.8
1983753—
1982455—
19811104—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.