2000 Ford Escort ZX2 from North America - Comments

Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-43

30th Oct 2000, 17:06

"Ford used to be all I wanted to own, but now I understand the meaning behind Found On Road Dead"

What things have gone wrong with the car?

Engine electicals stop causing the car to die while on the highway.

General comments?

Onto the 2nd Escort ZX2. This time we got the 5 speed manual hoping to get around the transmission problems of the automatic. We now have another piece of junk for a car.

It is in the shop for the second time due to an engine electrical failure. It just dies while driving on the highway. Just waiting for an accident to occur from this.

If you are having similar problems, please email us at ccable101@hotmail.com


9th Feb 2001, 10:41

FORD also stands for Fixed Or Repaired Daily! I had 3, I know.

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1st May 2001, 03:16

You guys got bad luck and lousy local dealerships. Ford is well known for this in certain parts of the country. Take the car to a different dealership and explain your problem. If they don't listen, stop the conversation and ask them for the number of their regional manager. If this doesn't cure the situation, file the lemon law.

There are a lot of people who are overly satisfied with your in-particular vehicle. Don't get mad at the car or it's designer- it's your region.

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22nd May 2001, 23:44

I have a 2000 ZX2 SR and will agree it has problems and Ford will not fix them. The idle is so rough you can see the car shaking, and it stalls and surges when on the highway. I spoke with Ford Canada and they said this is normal and they cannot fix it!!

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10th Dec 2001, 15:25

It seems a lot of Ford owners have problems with the dealerships. You need to stand up and tell it like it is, and yes get their regional manager's number, that's what I'd do. Of course I own a GM so I don't have to worry about any of that though.

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18th Sep 2004, 20:57

I have a 2000 Ford ZX2. The dash lights when out at the same time the back lights went out. I changed the fuse; problem solved. 24 hours later, the problem returned. Help?

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4th Nov 2004, 08:05

Hello, to whomever wrote the comment about the ZX2 and the dash and back lights - there is some kind of harness that needs to be replaced. I just bought a used ZX2, and had this fixed under warranty, so I don't know how much it costs to fix. Hope this helps!

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5th Jan 2005, 15:36

I had my brake light go out too. Seemed that the wires were not grounded. Smoked my tail light sockets and could have caused a fire. Too bad my warranty exspired. I think for the price we pay for these new cars they better be darned liable for defects!

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6th May 2005, 19:54

I just bought a used 2000 XZ2. The speedometer went out and ford dealer showed me the speed sensor which was broken in 2. The dealer fixed it, I have driven it for 2 days now and the speedometer works. Also when they were getting the speed sensor out, they broke a bolt. When I drove it off the lot originally my wife was behind me and noticed for a short burst of gray puff come out of the exhaust. The dealer said it was due to the speed sensor. He also said the some of the rough idle was due to the speed sensor as well. I noticed a very faint buzzing sound from behind the instrument cluster. The dealer didn't hear it so it didn't get fixed. The dealer and the mechanic said the rough idle is just a characteristic of the engine. I just told him I couldn't believe Ford would produce a product on purpose that didn't run correctly out of the factory. It must be a characteristic after the engine has broken in. I have had only 1 ford (this ZX2) and a Mazda pickup with similar issues. It will be my last.

Like someone else I am a GM man as well. Over a year ago, I bought a used '02 Silverado from a Chevrolet dealer. Runs smooth as silk. I do have to be somewhat fair though. I have had a brand new Oldsmobile and a Pontiac in the past both with issues. I have had 3 Chevrolet's without any problems.

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19th Jun 2005, 21:28

I had the exact same problem with shaking while idle. I gets to be embarrassing cause the car shakes so much you can actually see it from the outside. It gets especially bad when the air conditioner is on. I have to make sure that the car is moving for a while before I can even turn on the air conditioner or the car will die!

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30th Nov 2005, 16:23

I have the same issue with my 2000 Escort. My car shakes/idles pretty bad. Has anyone found what's causing the problem?

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17th Jul 2006, 19:40

I have a Ford Escort ZX2 2001, and it stays in the shop constantly.

Yesterday, about an hour from home, the car stopped on the freeway. I was just lucky I was not in the far lane.

I was informed by the Ford dealership that it was the timing belt.

2 weeks ago the car was in the shop, found out that it was the serpetine belt.

Thank goodness it is still under warranty, would have cost me a fortune.

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28th Nov 2006, 18:04

I bought this car brand new and still have it and I HATE IT! From what I understand-this car has seat-belt problems (I believe they had a recall), problems with the transmission (had to get my replaced within a year and a half) and the biggest pet-peeve is the rough idle. This IS a common characteristic of this car-however, I've heard different reasons as to WHY (some say motor mounts and how the mounts in this particular car is not quite up to par.) My glove box rattles LOUDLY because of the vibration-as do my windows and steering wheel. I am seriously considering getting a new car because although I enjoy not having a car payment anymore-I still get extremely irritated at the rough idling it produces, even after five years. I will never buy another Ford.

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5th Dec 2006, 17:00

I bought a used 2000 Zx2, The idle of the car is horrible and for some reason it will just shut off occasionally when I step on the Brakes to come to a stop.

If that is not weird enough it does not shift well, its like the car does not shift out of gear and revs up than shifts with a jolt.

My tail lights and dash board lights also went out, I'm not sure what happened, but now most of my wires are fried from my trunk to my dash board.

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8th Dec 2006, 17:10

I have a 2002 Ford ZX2 that has idle problems and the rpm's get stuck at 3 when I am going at about 60 mph. I have been trying to get it fixed since Sept 06. I have done a tune-up, changed the oxygen sensor, mass air flow sensor, speed sensor, the pcm, the thermostat, and some fuel injector sensor. Now the dealership is telling me it may be my transmission, which they said it wasn't to began with. I have already invested over $1600.00 in correcting this one problem. Help!!! Does anyone know what kind of recourse I have, doesn't seem fair that I've paid for repairs that haven't corrected the problem. Ford Corp and the dealer are just pointing fingers at each other.

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30th Dec 2006, 14:04

Try changing the computer chip to an after market one.

You will find that it will idle better and perform better too

we have had our zx2 s/r for 4 years and love it.

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