2001 Ford Escort SE 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Above average

Faults:

I have read a lot of people talk about engine vibration. The problem with mine was the transmission mount that is under the battery tray and the front motor mount, the rubber transmission mount actually sags over time, and the engine lowers, causing it to be very close to the crossmember. I replaced the transmission mount and the front and rear motor mounts, and it is now smooth at idle, the mount on the fan belt end of the motor does not seem to go bad. I used Autozone mounts and it is now fine.

General Comments:

My car has been great. It's a crude car, but very dependable if taken care of.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th May, 2009

2001 Ford Escort ZX2 2.0 liter from North America

Summary:

Please start making cars like this again!

Faults:

Plastic trim around steering column broke at about 140,000 miles, but I don't really care and haven't fixed it yet

Torque converter went at about 75,000, but still under warranty

Leaked antifreeze around the thermostat, an easy fix that cost me about 99 cents for a new gasket and some RTV

General Comments:

This is an excellent little sport compact. I drive it to work 5 days a week on a 75 mile round trip commute for the past 7 years, and now at 150,000 miles haven't had a single failure that cost me more than 10 bucks.

I drive this car hard too, just to give you an idea, tires with a 60,000 mile warranty usually only last me 10,000 miles. I have never had a car that so willingly tackles freeway ramps at 100mph day after day without ever giving me a scare.

Why would Ford stop making the Escort? It's a reliable, fun, affordable little car. Anybody looking for a fun daily driver, I would recommend a late 90's or early 2000's ZX2.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd December, 2008

2001 Ford Escort ZX2 2.0L DOHC 16v Ztech from North America

Summary:

Maintenance pays off. This is a great little car

Faults:

The car always started well, except for one time when the starter went out at 89,500 miles. (I had to push start it to get it home, good thing about a manual.)

The car is also maintained. I change my timing belt every 40,000 miles.

Oil and filter every 2,500 to 3,000 miles.

Fuel filter every 15,000 miles.

Brake pads every 35,000 miles.

I have only changed the rotors once.

I also added a K&N air filter with cold air intake.

General Comments:

This is a pretty reliable car. It has never not started, except for one time when the starter went out, but that is OK because you can always push start it when you have a 5 speed manual transmission.

I maintain all of my cars well. It pays off, it really does. I have put almost 180,000 miles on this car and it has only had one starter problem.

This car is sweet, and it handles great and can hit 0 to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds, and gets 37 mpg on the highway.

I am happy with this Ford. I wonder how long it will last; should I keep in touch?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 7th November, 2008

2001 Ford Escort ZX2 from North America

Summary:

I wouldn't buy this car again because I have almost put in as much money into it as I paid for it

Faults:

With a ZX2 depending on the which one you buy, I bought the wrong type supposedly. My timing belt shredded without warning. Which got me stuck 30 miles from my home. They told me that with this car, if the timing belt goes then the 4th valve in the motor goes. They also had problems when fixing a number of different parts that caused them to break. Over all in the past 6 months I have put over $2500 into my car. Not very cheap for a college student. The button on the shifter keeps sticking causing me to be stuck at a location until I can finally get it to work. I just had this piece fixed a few months ago and this is the 2nd time it has happened since it was fixed. Water leaks into this vehicle like it was a convertable with its top down. The moon roof leaks, it's a 2 door car and water leaks through the back windows. It holds moisture and I somehow got water into the backseat floor (causing MOLD!!) I have tried many things to get this to dry and nothing seems to work. It also leaks into the trunk real bad. The moisture is making the trunk smell musty.

General Comments:

The leather seats are starting to wear. Not the quickest getting from 0-60. When trying to make it speed up quicker it sounds like the engine will explode. The handling is decent and it gets good gas mileage (27mpg). I wouldn't recommend this car to ANYONE!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 3rd March, 2008

8th Mar 2009, 14:53

I have a 2000 zx2. I don't have a sun roof. The floor boards both sides stay soaking wet after a rain. I don't know where to start. Is this normal with this model?

28th Jul 2009, 13:48

I have a 2001 Ford Escort ZX2, and I can honestly say that I will never buy another one, and would not recommend this car to anyone unless you want to fix it all the time. I got my car in October, and it is now July, and with all the extra parts I have put into it, I could have bought a newer car!! The windows leak. It also has a bad idle problem! I am definitely not satisfied at all!!!

31st Dec 2009, 17:24

The 2001 Ford Escort ZX2 is the coolest car around. It goes 0-60 in 7.4 seconds and has excellent gas mileage. It can totally take on a Ford Mustang any day. This car has had no problems whatsoever. However, Ford Mustangs are full of problems and are only good for people who like to waste their money!

30th Aug 2010, 11:46

I too would NEVER buy this car AGAIN! I have a 2001 Escort ZX2. I have had to put $600 to $1000 into this car every 6 to 8 months. The timing belt also shredded on us as well without warning. You will pay more to fix the vehicle than it cost to buy the vehicle. From one consumer to the next, I do NOT recommend buying this vehicle unless you make a lot of extra money. With this economy, we cannot afford to continue to pay for it any longer.

19th Dec 2010, 03:30

My 01 Escort ZX2 has way too many problems. They aren't built to last. Ford really didn't think through this one very much. My Japanese car has been so much of a better investment than this turd. And could someone please show me proof that these cars are fast... I have never seen a Escort go as fast as they claim, but then again it's because most of them are broke down off the side of the road/highway!