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Research · Subcompact Cars

2000 Ford Escort ZX2Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 157 owner complaints for the 2000 Ford Escort ZX2. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (29) and power train (23). The EPA rates it 25 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
25mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
157
Top: engine and engine cooling
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 2000 Ford Escort ZX2 as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

157 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 1999 – Jan 2016
  1. Engine and engine cooling29
  2. Power train23
  3. Air bags21
  4. Electrical system17
  5. Visibility12
  6. Vehicle speed control12
  7. Seat belts12
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic11
  9. Tires10

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
26
Fires reported
11
Injuries reported
25
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

29 reports1 crash2 fires
“VEHICLE DIED DURING TRAVEL WITH NO WARNING, FORD ISSUED RECALL. HOWEVER DUE TO THE LIMITED NUMBER OF CONSUMERS WITH THIS YEAR AND SPECIFIC MODEL COMPLAINTS WERE OVERLOOKED. DEALER SHOULD OFFER RECOURSE. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 5, 2007Engine and engine coolingODI 10195397

Power train

23 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 5, 2016Power train, EngineODI 10817765

Air bags

21 reports21 crashes1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 2, 2015Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10680515
All 2000 Escort ZX2 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 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 29, 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 29, 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 2000 Ford Escort ZX2 as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 4080
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

2000 Escort ZX2 questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Ford Escort ZX2 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 29, 2026.

What are the most common 2000 Ford Escort ZX2 problems?

Owners filed 157 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (29), power train (23), air bags (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Ford Escort ZX2 get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Ford Escort ZX2 at 25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026