1999 Ford Escort ZX2 from North America - Comments

Lets see...

The windows leak.

The windows don't shut right causing the door to not close right.

The heater broke.

The tape deck broke.

The steering wheel squeaks.

The car knocks when I turn (but won't it duplicate for the service dept.!)

It dies while driving it.

Didn't start up a few times.

Vents blow themselves shut when on anything higher than low.

Not what I expected from a new car that is a year old!

I do not recommend this car to anyone who needs to get to work or appreciates the value of a dollar. Thank you Ford for selling me a bigger piece of crap than I traded in to you!

I've had all of those problems, but I can offer one solution. I had the same knocking when turning on my 2000 and I thought it was a wheel that was out, but it turned out that the motor and radiator mounts were bad and I had to them replaced. I was lucky to find decent dealer but had to travel very far (Otis Ford in Quogue - Long Island, New York - you can look them up on the internet and they will send you info for proof).

Write Ford. Your complaint is common and the issue needs to be resolved. I am going to write them as well, as soon as I figure out what region (s) these complaints are from.

MY 1999 FORD ESCORT SE SPORT makes the same knocking sound when I turn.

The windows leak because the door seal insists on popping out all the time (hmmmm you think they would have used an adhesive to hold it in place).

My air conditioning now makes a buzzing noise every 7 seconds.

Ever since I bought it brand new, the air conditioning wreaks when it is turned on. So much that I have to drive with my head out the window for at least 1-2 minutes.

I have to say that I am NOT impressed. This is my first American car since I've owned 9 Hondas.

I think I'm going back to what I know and trust.

I have a 98 ZX2 and I have been having problems with the dealership. More than anything the car is starting to backfire and stalls out when at red lights, also the vent closes when you turn the A/C on high. But other than that, I love my car.

Can't believe you guys have been having so many problems, my ZX2 is at 75,000 miles, and hasn't had a single problem (other than needed heat shield adjusted which cost maybe $50)..

Hope you guys got those problems fixed under warranty..

I own a 2001 ford zx2 and I have had nothing but transmission problems. When I first got the car it would not go into reverse it felt like the e-brake was on, and now it slips when driving and nobody can find anything wrong with it.

My daughter owns a 98 zx2 and loves it. Recently the air conditioning quit working. My husband (a mechanic) took it to a friend who put it on the computer. Found out it was the Constant Control Relay (Module?). Anyway, we have tried 4 of these parts and the problem is the air conditioning will go on, but a few seconds later kicks off. He can bypass this by unplugging the one wire and the air conditioning will work, but the motor fan runs constantly. We were told that there is a problem with this part and not all parts will work with all zx2s, but it's like finding a needle in a haystack finding the right part. Were still looking.

98 zx2 here, 85k and very happy. Just a small leak in the radiator recently. Don't have any issues as those above.

We purchased a 2001 Zx2 for my daughter for graduation and are having problems with the fuel tank. It won't take more than a gallon of gas before shutting off and spewing gas everywhere. Anyone else have this problem? The dealer put all new parts in and say that the only other thing they know to do is to put a whole new gas tank in it. It has less than 5,000 miles on it.

I've had my 99 Escort SE Sport for a little over a year now, the only problem I've had is the AC compressor went out, and I had that replaced.

I've upgraded my headlights to HIDs, put in a little $750 sound system, replaced and upgraded little things all over it to make it more enjoyable, and it runs great.

In fact, after all that stuff I've done to it, I'm getting around 29/37 city/highway MPG.

I purchased my 2002 ZX2 from a ford dealer that my FAMILY has done business with since before I was born *i am 20 years old* Within days of me driving it off the lot, the car died suddenly while trying to access the highway on my way to school. I figured oh well, it's a stick, and started it back again. Within days it did it again. I got mad and took the car back after 2 weeks. They told me that they didn't have problems with the car that they knew of, but they would drive it and if it happened again, they would fix it. That was in April. I had a loaner car for over a week the first time, with the result, and I quote "We couldn't find the problem, we hooked it up to a computer and nothing came back. If this happens again, please bring it back to us." Less than a month later, well lets say its in the shop for the fourth time, still don't know whats wrong with it, and have started filing the car as a lemon. They refused to talk to me, told me I was lying, and they send me on my way. With the 15+ cars that my family and friends bought from that dealership, I think I would get more respect. If you are considering this car, Don't!! the alignment also went crazy on me after they fixed it, and the tape player refuses to play tapes in anything less than 55 degree Fahrenheit weather.

October 27, 2003.

I just purchased a 1999 Ford Escort ZX2, I had to replace my battery which is normal. But the Service Engine Light came on and I had the vehicle serviced the light is still on. The coolant for some reason is coming out of it's coolant container and the air conditioning system gets cool and then it blows warm air. This morning it was pretty cold outside so I turned the heater on "no heat." I turned the heater off with the dials still on heat and hot air was blowing on the floor. I noticed the temperature needle goes from the center to cold, now this is scary. I really like this car and I really don't want these little problems, this is the first car note I've had in 15 years and my old car which is a Chevrolet runs circles around this car. Glad I didn't get rid of my 1987 Caprice Classic.

Hi:

I purchased my daughter at 1999 ZX2 over 2 years ago. Recently when you turn the air conditioner on with fresh air, you can smell gas. Anyone have any ideas what this is?

Please email me at

mjspurgeon1@hotmail.com

Thanks a bunch,

JIll.

Hi, I don't know what all the complaining is about. The only thing wrong with my 98 is the window, it leaks, go figure. Good luck with your problems.