FaultScore

Ford ZX2 (Escort) vs BMW 128I

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure Ford ZX2 (Escort) BMW 128I
Complaints on file 95 237
Model years covered 1998–2003 2007–2013
Worst model year 2002 2012
Best model year 2001 2008
Crashes reported 8 7
Fires reported 0 14
Injuries reported 6 2
Deaths reported 1 0
Most complained-about part Engine & Cooling Airbags
Share of complaints involving harm 15.8% 9.7%

Ford ZX2 (Escort) by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 27 28.4%
Transmission & Drivetrain 19 20.0%
Airbags 6 6.3%
Body & Structure 6 6.3%
Electrical System 5 5.3%
Brakes 5 5.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 4 4.2%
Equipment & Accessories 4 4.2%

BMW 128I by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Airbags 90 38.0%
Engine & Cooling 62 26.2%
Electrical System 19 8.0%
Lights 11 4.6%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 9 3.8%
Other & Unspecified 8 3.4%
Body & Structure 7 3.0%
Brakes 6 2.5%