2000 Ford Fiesta Zetec S from UK and Ireland - Comments

Anti roll-bar bushes failed at 7000 miles.

Rattling from the dashboard.

Replacement engine.

Anti roll-bar bushes will need replacing shortly, 14500 miles.

Engine has been irreparably damaged after it took in water from the air intake which is located behind the front skirt. It has now been replaced by my insurance company as FORD will not acknowledge any design flaws, but have confirmed that the car should not be driven through any more than three inches of water.

As one of the worlds largest car manufacturers in a highly competitive market, I find it absolutely amazing that Ford can produce cars that have such poor build quality. Recent advertising campaigns would have the consumer believe that reliability and quality issues are a thing of the past, however from my experience I believe that problems are ignored and not well published.

I have owned my vehicle from new and it has covered around 14,500miles in little over two years and yet I am considering replacing it for an older vehicle from an alternative manufacturer, as I am so disheartened and disappointed.

Sounds like you have been very unlucky mate.

I would stress to anyone who has read this review to look at the other zetec-s reviews, this person has not given a review of the car he has given a review of the after sales service, which is NOT solely a ford problem, I can personally recall serious letdowns with Peugeot, Renault, Vauxhall, BMW and Ford, problems and the arrogance of aftersales does easily turn into intense dislike of your vehicle, it's unfortunate there has been such serious dissapointment in your ownership, however, from personal experience of this car and many other people I know as well as the other reviews here, it's an excellent vehicle, you've sadly experienced that "Friday Car" which happens to 90% of manufacturers.

I agree you've been unlucky. My experience of Zetec S ownership (a 2001 X reg) has been a pleasure. I bought it with 13,000 miles on the clock, and have added 10,000 to this in just 6 months. The car is always driven hard (although not mercilessly), yet it has been totally faultless so far. It's also a cracking car to drive IMHO, and even now I still find myself coming off main roads in search of twisty B-road routes, even if it adds 20 miles to a journey. I looked at a Polo GTI and a Saxo VTR but the Zetec S is ten times more fun than the Polo, and much better built than the Saxo.

My only problem with the car is it seems to attract the attention of vandals, but that's society's fault, not the car's.

Just to quote you "Ford have given credibility to the old adage, 'you get what you pay for", so your saying the car is a load of cheap rubbish, well I'm sorry YOUR car has been poor and aftersales service terrible, but the car is fantastic, just a shame you didn't get the chance to see it.

As the saying goes, 'You are never bored with a Ford'.

Whereas a Polo, Corsa or Clio would bore you to tears. Quite literally.

Ford make poor quality cars and have done for a few years, the new generation may be excellent to drive, but that's about it, if your after build quality look elswhere!

I agree that Ford build quality sometimes leaves a bit to be desired, but they are streets ahead of Peugeot, Citroen and Renault, and the equal of the likes of Vauxhall, and dare I say it, some of the more recent VW's. The Focus has also recently won a respected German reliability survey, and apparently Fords regularly feature in the top 10. They're not perfect by any means, but they are certainly nowhere near the worst out there, and are better than a lot of people give them credit for. If you want to criticise build quality, have a pop at the French!

Read some of the more recent reviews, it seems now there are more Zetec-s's around with some mile on them, the poor build quality & generally Ford low quality are starting to show through. Don't buy a Zetec-s they are total lemons!!