1999 Ford Escort ZX2 from North America - Comments

I have 98 ZX2 and had my AC go out about 5 months after I got it, that and it made an AWFUL noise when I turned right. I was my AC compressor and my thermostat. Then I was OK for a few years. Last month the AC went again, the thermostat seems to go up and down when it wants, have 50000 miles and think my tranie is starting to slip. Not always, but sometimes... then I was told I need a belt tensioner to make this new AWFUL noise go away.

2000 ZX2 automatic.

Car has about 70,000 miles and the check engine light is on, I think it's only an O2 sensor. However the transmission has been in the shop twice and this time the case has split open. Not a very good car because of this. The engine seems okay, the body rattles a little, but is okay since the car is cheap to buy. I do not accept the fact that the transmission is very frail.

1999 Ford ZX-2 Automatic Transmission Saga.

24,000 miles 3 years + 2 months Transmission Failure. Ford 'grace warranty' due to time. Transmission rebuild at Ford dealer. $1870 80/20 split on cost.

33,000 miles. Rebuilt transmission total failure. Due to previous history $2400 60/40 split on cost + ford throws in a 72,000 powertrain warranty.

58,000 miles. Total transmission failure. First Ford answer "We have no record of an extended warranty". A few phone call later, they've found it. Car's at shop.. Will be forth transmission for this car.

No mods. no extreme driving.

Interestingly, the Service Manager says "I've never seen one of these fail" and "Our transmission guy is backed up at least 3 weeks" nearly in the same sentence!!

Two comments, if you don't know how to drive a manual transmission get an automatic. Second, if you didn't spend so much on rims and stereos maybe you could have gotten a better car. The ZX2s are CHEAP. You get what you pay for. I have a 99 with 65000 miles, absolutely no problems. I change the oil and have replaced the tires once. If you want a car to abuse and race off red lights, go rent one. Yes, its loud and kinda slow. But I realize that what I get for that price isn't going to drive like a Mustang or a Saturn. If Ford had made claims that it is a race car, then yes you could sue them. But no, it's an economy car. And my rims and stereo don't cost more than the car (factory).

I have a 99 Escort ZX2. I bought it new and only have about 52,000 miles on it. My transmission started slipping at about 30,000 miles and went on me at 40,000. It vibrates a lot. When I took it into the dealer they told me that there is nothing that can be done, Fords are just known to do that. I have never put any after market parts on this vehicle. I do not beat on the car or drive rough. The car is now at the dealership for repairs again. This time it is stalling. I will never buy a ford again.

I purchased a 2000 Ford ZX2 in 2001, and I have had problems ever since. My check Engine light came on at 20,000 and no-one could diagnose the problem. My transmission has been slipping, and has been worked on 4 or more times I have spent over $2000 dollars in work on the car and now My transmission is completely gone. I am a single mother and have not finished paying for this lemon. I have no idea what I am going to do, but I can tell you that I will never purchase a Ford again!!!. My sister had the same problems in 1994 with her Escort, but I didnt listen, I hope people will pay attention.

I have a 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 and have had the same vibration problems, air conditioner problems, stalling problems and transmission problems along with the check engine light. I drive about 500 highway miles a week and have 148,000 miles on it. The transmission was starting to slam into gear in forward and reverse then it starting slipping more and more until finally it wouldn't go into any gear-forward, reverse, low, low 2 etc. I left the car for 5 hours and was able to get it to work again to get it home. It seems as if the car runs great when it can make it to 55 miles per hour, but it races 4 to 5000 RPM from 15 to 45 or 50. Is it worth putting a new transmission in it? The number of comments here seem to suggest it is junk.

I have a 99 escort zx2 that I bought new from the dealer. I have in the past 6 months experienced the following problems: replaced the fuel pump, I have no a/c, and I'm experiencing a horrible popping noise now when I apply the brakes. The car has only around 78,000 miles on it and most of those miles are highway. I should have taken my husband's advice and bought a civic. The car does have a little get up and go to it though. I guess I got what I paid for.

I purchased my 2000 zx2 S/R with 34,000 miles on it. It ran great when I got it. Then I threw N20 in it and it was a relatively fast car---> 14.85 at 99mph fast (60 shot) <----I was on 17" wheels none the less, but because the stock tire size is the same (by diameter) there should really be no "extra stress" on the tranny. However when my transmission went, the quality of my fluids were "sub-par" I was informed that the trans was drained and filled prior to purchasing the vehicle and due to my own neglect I suffered the consequence. Luckily for me it cost me $425 to do myself. So I am going to remove the Bottle, in hopes that my car will out last the terms of the loan... <sigh>

08/09/05

Oh the pains of my ZX2. I bought it about 2 or 3 months ago. Since then it has been in the shop out woozy.

The day after I bought it I drove it home to Cincinnati from someplace far, well after about 70 miles on the highway it blew the head gasket and warped the head causing the engine to miss fire. About 3 days after that the drive train in the trans snapped in two. Replaced the trans and clutch, but, the trans has problems grabbing 2nd gear and grinds 3rd. Fixed the timing and the head, but didn't fix the problem. oh yeah pass side mirror broken, no parking brake, broken tail light, and countless other things. But the most unbelievable thing is, with all the problems I have beaten some unlikely rivals, lancer, F150, 300z, and my favorite the caviler. All in all bad car to own as a driving car, but for to drive to win without given up. So just good racer till it dies no more no less.

Clairvoyant Ignitions Cincinnati, OH.

I purchased a 99 Ford ZX2 about six months ago. Its got almost 150,000 miles and its still running fine. Getting regular maintenance done (oil change, tire rotation, normal driving) will extend the life of a car. I do however have a minor coolant leak and I need a new serpentine belt. Haven't had any transmission problems and like others didn't "pimp" my ride. Every car will be different, it all depends on how you treat it.

2000 Escort ZX2

My wifes car has 80,000 miles on it and slips on a regular basis. We've had it in the shop 4 times because of the check engine light and it still slips. Not to mention that our serpentine belt busted at 50,000 miles. Because of the slipping problems, I anticipate the transmission only lasting a little longer (100,000 miles maybe). This is not acceptable in my opinion.

For goodness sake I had a mercury topaz with 300,000 miles on it and never did any major transmission work, so I know how to take "care" of a vehicle when it comes to regular maintenance, tune-ups, minor repair, etc.

I think people should really consider a different vehicle if looking to buy. Spend a little more on a better quality vehicle.

I got a 2000 ford escort zx2 in 2001, since then I've had the alternator (spelling?) and windshield wiper motor replaced, then my fuel pump went out, then my a/c stopped working, then just recently my service engine soon light came on, and a few weeks later my serpentine belt came off and the water pump housing had to be replaced. the day after I got it from the shop, the service engine soon light came back on. I love my car, I paid for it entirely, and I'm proud of that fact, but I just wish I could've gotten something else. I was young and HAD TO HAVE A CAR. It was cheap and had a cd player (a must-have for a young person) but man... I hope it doesn't die on me when I start going to college.

I bought my 2001 Ford ZX2 brand new and it has always vibrated a lot while I am sitting at a red light. The serpentine belt fell off for the 3rd time last month - the first 2 times it was covered by warranty. The belt tensioner had to be replaced the third time it happened.

Tonight the battery just died on me with no warning signs.

If you have one of these cars, invest in AAA or any roadside service. You will need it often.

I have a 1998 Ford Escort Zx2 and aside from a wiring problem resulting in the A/C not working for 2 days (new concept.. got it fixed) I have had no real problems other than preventative stuff like tires, brakes, belts, coolant flushes, oil changes (regular every 3000 miles does wonders), and oh yeah gas. It has been a good car and I don't know what you people are doing with yours, but you gotta keep up a car in order to make it last and I am no mechanic trust me...