2000 Ford Escort ZX2 from North America - Comments

I have a 1998 ZX2 with 85000 miles. Ford told me that that the rough idle is normal, this is not true. Changing the motor mounts took 90% of the vibration out of the car. I then changed the Mass air flow sensor, the Idle control valve, and the air temp sensor and the car runs like new.

To the previous Poster on 2nd Jan., 2007: You have the '98 ZX2 with 85,000 miles. Please, I just bought a 2002 SE with 58,000 miles, and the VIBRATION is intolerable!!! I already had one of the motor mounts replaced at the Dealers suggestion, and it didn't help at all.

Could you please detail the money that you spent to get your car running like new again? In other words, 1.) did a mechanic do your Motor Mount installation? About how much was it for labor? How many Motor Mounts are there, and how much did the Mounts cost you (total)? How much for the Idle Air Control Valve? Also, how much for the Mass Airflow Sensor? And then, how much for the Air Temp. Sensor? Then, could you give me the cost to install each of these three (3) parts?

I know that I'm asking for a LOT, but I've already spent about $1500 on this car in just the 6 weeks since I bought it. I don't have all that much money, and it's really getting to be tough to keep spending more! I'm really starting to get desperate!

My EMAIL is: buzzyj1933#yahoo.com, if that would be more convenient for you.

I would be incredibly GRATEFUL for ANY of the asked for info. that you could give me! God Bless You.

I purchased a 2000 ZX2 new, and the vehicle currently has only 34000 miles on the odometer. Since delivery, the motor has idled very roughly. I think it is not an exaggeration to say that the car shakes visibly, and is an embarrassment for others to ride in. The transmission has had shifting problems since it was new, and have become increasing worse as time goes on. Up until now, it has not failed me completely, but you wonder whether you will make it to your destination every time you use it.

In summary, this is a very poor product, and will most definitely keep me from considering any further purchases from the Ford Motor Company. Their company slogan touts top quality claims,..my ZX2 says otherwise.

I have had my Ford Escort ZX2 for almost 3 years now and it has had nothing, but problems. I got it with 80,000 miles. I have put a new engine in, and a new starter. The transmission is now slipping and I have always had problems with the rough idle. Now my car stalls while driving I have also had the same problems with putting it into gear. Now my speedometer had went out. My car gets awful gas mileage, I have no clue what the reason! It just always has. Oh yeah and the bolts keep falling off of the exhaust because my car runs so hard. My trunk lights have went out, my factory Cd changer stopped working, my dash lights went out. My alloy wheels are pathetic! They are cracking and falling apart like no other. I have also had to change a tie rod. I try to take very good care of my car and no matter how much money that I have put in, it still is falling apart. I wish that I would have known all the problems that I was going to have with this car before I bought it. Then again don't we all.

Basically, I will never own a Ford again. I also prefer GM.

My zx2 ford escort 1998 brake lights stay on I cannot find the short, any recomendations?

Re: Brake lights staying on.

Look at the brake pedal. There should be a switch on it that contacts a rubber (mine was blue) "bumper" about the size of an american dime but 1/4 inch thick or so. With time and heat, this bumper crumbles and the switch no longer makes contact to shut the circuit.

I have a 2001 Ford Escort ZX2 and I have been pleased with the vehicle. I got it used with about 7k on it. Issues have been coming up as it now has reached the 85K mile mark. I have not taken it to the dealership or any repair location because I wanted more info before I go to them.

The car Idles roughly. This started at about 60k. It especially occurs when the air condition worked.

The air conditioning is failing. It turns on and off on its own. I only know when it triggers on when the car begins to idle.

My car shuts off on the freeway. This happened the first time when it had about 10K miles then again at about 30K, then again about 60K. It was only happening once in a great blue moon. I am due for another episode in about 5K. This happens when I try to hall @$$ and rev up to the 6K RPMS mark.

Finally, my car shuts off on its own when I hit the brakes. This has been happening more often as time progresses. It is prone to happen even quicker when I have the failing AC "turned on/Enabled". Now it is becoming a safety issue.

I am assuming that some of you have these same problems and I hope you guys have some solutions. I need some info before I go to a repair and they tell me that I need a new car by replacing everything in the ZX2.

I have a 2000 Escort ZX2. I don't mind paying for normal maintenance, but several odd things have happened.

Three years ago a bolt came out the water pump housing and knocked into a bunch of other stuff. I had to get a new housing and water pump. The dealership said this was very rare and didn't have the parts on hand. The parts took a day or so to come in.

Also about two years ago, the car would not come out of park. The owner's manual said there was an override on the gear shifter. Again dealership said this was very rare - never saw it before.

I also have replace tie rods at least two times in the last 2 or 3 years. Has anyone else had these problems?

I have a 2001 zx2, it idles roughly likes everyone elses to the point that you can see it. The air conditioner went out, only hot air. Now the gears won't shift so I'll try replacing the sensor. Lets see what else can happen. Did changing the microchip actually help the idling?

I never thought that I would actually see so many comments with the same exact problems I have! I have tried explaining these problems to people and they just tell me things I can replace.

I own a 2001 Ford ZX2 (5-speed/Manual) and I bought it with 84,000 miles on it in May 2006, it is now at 103,000 miles. I purchased the car from a girl that was a little older than me whom had the car regularly serviced (oil, emissions, etc) and had it all backed up with paper proof. I have continued on with changing the oil every 3,000 miles.

The car ran great when I 1st got it, I drove it all around the South (I live in Atlanta). Living in Atlanta means I have to commute a lot for everything!! I am a college student as well as full-time employee. The car was just what I needed as far as gas mileage (avg. 30-32). I had absolutely no problems until I hit around the 88,0000 mark.

I was driving down the Highway (I-75/85) when all of a sudden my car shut off, I lost power steering and at 80 miles an hour luckily was able to restart the car while in motion (thank-God it was a manual). I was a little weirded out and thought maybe it was just a fluke, I didn't have this happen again until I hit around 90,000 miles.

The car kept on shutting off when I was at 75-85 mph, or when I would slow down for something such as a sudden stop light or an exit ramp, neither of which is pleasing to have to deal with. But for the most part the car still got around and didn't give me problems.

THEN...the car started acting up whenever I would make a sharp turn, or slow down from any speed. I found the trick to keep it from completely dying on me while in motion was to slam my foot down on the clutch and give the car some gas. ANNOYING.. I don't want to manipulate my car into working properly. I too also noticed that when I use the A/C this problem is more frequent (frustrating in Atlanta Heat and especially in the winter because I LOATHE the cold)

I decided that it was time to go to Auto-Zone and get a free diagnostics test (I am a college student, I cannot afford to throw money into what I "might think" is wrong) The numbers that came up said that it could either be the O2 sensor or the Mass Air Flow Sensor, (one is $50 part the other is $150) The Auto-Zone guy said that I should go to a mechanic and get it checked out thoroughly.

I have read this and it makes me so frustrated because everyone is having the same re-occurring problems!! obviously the workmanship on this vehicle was sub-par at best, it is no wonder they discontinued this vehicle. I now regret not buying a civic, or camry or some other economical car.

I too would like to know if changing the micro-chip helps and the price of this!

Also if you have any ideas on what could be wrong with my car or of places that offer parts for cheap prices!!

Please e-mail me at rhenderson929@gmail.com.

And to all of you fellow ZX2 owners,,, good luck.

My 2000 zx2 5 speed has 205,000 miles on it. got it with 95,000 never had anything major go wrong. normal maintenance stuff and that's all (oil changes, wires, plugs, fuel filter, pcv valve, tires, gear oil, breaks, cooling system flushes, timing belt and water pump, cv's, alternator and tie rods) not bad engine runs well, but idle is sorta rough, kinda shakes the steering wheel. ac isn't good really maybe needs recharging, it uses a lil oil about 1/2 quart every 1000 miles, all together it has been a great fun to drive car, about 30mpg! decent quickness at 5700 rpm or so,good enough torque. maybe it will last 300,000 miles. ;)

Well folks I have rebuilt probably 20 of these cars ranging from 98's to 03's and have never had a customer want to return one. they love the cars. I will agree that they idle

too rough, and they do need tie rods now and again, but on the whole they will take a shot in an accident and keep on ticking. for the rough idle problem, try replacing the pcv hose that runs from the valve to the rear of the motor.

16.50 at your local dealer. you can change it yourselves.

As for the a/c problems, I have found on numerous ones I

have owned or sold. that the computer under the air filter

horn malfunctions. it won't let the compressor run. I buy

them at wrecking yards for about 35.00 each. also easy to

install, when you know where they are located. they show a code that wide open thottle switch is stuck so that prevents

you're a/c compressor from powering up. you folks are right though, saying the transmissions are their weak point. they normally need replaced at 120k miles. hope this thread will help some of you with your problems. all in all I love these cars. the stick cars are quick for what they are.

2000 Ford Escort ZX-2 Transmission needing to be rebuilt due to 5th Speed sync-gear going out?

I've had this car since Jan 2000, with 65 miles on it and am the first owner. It just reached 76,000 miles. Until now I've been lucky because so far I've only had minor wear-and-tear repairs with no major problems. Just the normal things that go out, and I've been trying to keep up with regular maintenance. I feel I've been lucky.

But now I'm not feeling that way. A lot of people think it's too early for my transmission to be rebuilt. So I'm writing about my situation.

The only things that have gone out sooner than I expected are the following. The passenger side door lock stopped responding to the remote mid-2003. I have to manually lock and unlock that door. Then the factory CD changer went out the end of that year (my 3rd year of ownership). In 2004 the blinker started to blink real fast, only for the right-turn signal.

Other than I've been very pleased. No A/C problems, drives very smooth over 70 mph on the freeway. Though last year (2006) I did have some issues with the car just dying when I came to a stop. Luckily it started right up again. It happened another time during the course of that 1 week. Other than that it's been just fine.

But now when I drive over 60 mph on the freeway, the 5th gear pops into neutral while I'm driving. This is scary because the car revs up to 4,000-5,000 rpm, but the speed decreases. It happened 3 times in a row. To get home I've had to decrease my speed and hold the gear-shift into 5th gear.

Until I get this figured out, I'm driving in speeds that avoid having to use the 5th gear. I've had smooth-driving other than this. Up until now I've been pretty pleased with my car. I got a lot of options for the price I paid.

Anyone else with this issue? I'm wondering if it's worth getting the transmission fixed. Is this just the beginning of my car proving itself to be a "Fix-Or-Repair-Daily" vehicle?

My friend has a 2001 Ford Escort ZX2, and he has reported similar problems. The car dying when he hits the brakes. And while on the highway. It's a manual transmission, and it has somewhere close to 200,000 on it. Please e-mail me at lucaswozniak@yahoo.com with any ideas on what this is, and the cost to fix it.

The way I see it is if you want a good car don't buy one for less than 20,000. I bought my 2000 ZX2 for one purpose, to get me to work and back. If I wanted to travel cross country I would have bought a Lincoln! The Escort is a cheap car and you WILL have problems. After all you get what you pay for. The point is instead of thinking can I fix it?, you should of been thinking should I fix it? If you don't like the car sell it and get a different one!!! I did I bought a 2007 Lincoln Town car. Still have the Escort and have had NO problems what so ever.