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Research · Subcompact Cars

1998 Ford Escort ZX2Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints for the 1998 Ford Escort ZX2. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (4) and engine and engine cooling (4). The EPA rates it 25 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
25mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
23
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

23 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 1998 – Dec 2011
  1. Vehicle speed control4
  2. Engine and engine cooling4
  3. Air bags2
  4. Electrical system2
  5. Suspension2
  6. Tires2
  7. Power train2
  8. Structure2
  9. Seats1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Escort ZX2 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199823
1999365
2000157
2001117
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

4 reports2 fires
“1998 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT FIRE AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH (ACCORDING TO INSURANCE FIRE INVESTIGATOR) - FORD CLAIMED THEY SENT 3 RECALL NOTICES, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY UNTIL 3 DAYS AFTER THE FIRE - I SUFFERED PERSONAL PROPERTY AND OTHER DAMAGES AND FORD HAS REFUSED LIABILITY. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2007Vehicle speed controlFire reportedODI 10202565

Engine and engine cooling

4 reports2 fires
“CAR MAKES HIDIOUSLY LOUD SCREECHING SOUND. MECHANICS CAN'T FIND WHERE IT IS. I REPLACED MANY PARTS BUT THE SOUND CONTINUES TO COME OUT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2005Engine and engine cooling, Unknown or otherODI 10128790

Air bags

2 reports2 crashes
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2008Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10236229
All 1998 Escort ZX2 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Escort ZX2
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,550355
Escort ZX2
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,550355
  • Escort ZX2
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Escort ZX2
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 3851
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1998 Escort ZX2 questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 28, 2026.

What are the most common 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 problems?

Owners filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (4), engine and engine cooling (4), air bags (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 at 25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026