Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2002 Ford ZX2 (Escort) with NHTSA between 2002 and 2010.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 30
Against the median year of the Ford ZX2 (Escort). 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
21.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 85
50% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2002 compares with every other Ford ZX2 (Escort)
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2002 Ford ZX2 (Escort)
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
535.7%
Median failure at 70,500 miles
Engine & Cooling
321.4%
Median failure at 28,400 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
214.3%
Median failure at 20,436 miles
Seats
17.1%
Seat Belts
17.1%
Median failure at 79,350 miles
Body & Structure
17.1%
Median failure at 35,000 miles
Airbags
17.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
220.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
110.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
330.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
110.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
110.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
220.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 2002peak 2Mar 2010
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Glasgow, KYCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS INVOLVED (ALONG W/ PASSENGER) IN A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER CAR TURNED RIGHT. WHEN I SAW THAT THE CAR HAD SUCCESSFULLY TURNED I ACCELERATED TO 45-50 MPH. WHEN I CAME UPON THE ROAD, WHICH THE CAR HAD TURNED, THE OTHER CAR DID A COMPLETE "U TURN" AND CAME OUT ONTO THE MAIN ROAD GOING THE OPOSITE DIRECTION. I TRIED TO STOP BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. I HIT THE BACK PASSANGER DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. MY CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE HAULT. WHEN I STRUCK THE OTHER CAR, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. UNFORTUNATELY, MY CAR WAS TOTALED. I COMPLAINED OF BACK AND PELVIC PAIN, PASSANGER HIT HEAD ON DASH BOARD. WE WERE TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL WHERE WE WERE TREATED AND RELEASED. LUCKILY NEITHER THE PASSENGER OR MYSELF WERE NOT SEVERLY INJURED. I HAD ORDERS FROM E.R DOCTOR TO STAY HOME FROM WORK FOR THREE DAYS.
NHTSA complaint #10129792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewisberry, PA1 injured
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
MY SON, WHILE UPSET, HIT HIS HEAD AGAINST THE BACK OF THE SEAT. A POST OR SOME OTHER OBJECT MOUNTED WITHIN THE SEAT BACK STRUCK HIS HEAD, CAUSING A BLEEDING WOUND. WE WERE NOT IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT RATHER THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. IT IS MY OPINION THAT HAD WE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, THE INJURY WOULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. I DO HAVE A DIGITAL PICTURE OF THE INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10010924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 115,000 milesSaint James, MO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WE BOUGHT A NEW 2002 ZX2, ONE MONTH AFTER WE HAD IT THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. NOW THE TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT INTO 3RD OR 4TH. WE WERE TOLD WE NEED TO REBUILD OURS.
NHTSA complaint #10322930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesCoppell, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
RE: 2002, FORD ZX2 WE OWN A 2002 STANDARD MODEL FORD ZX2 THAT HAS ONLY 35,500 MILES ON IT. THERE ARE THREE NOTABLE PROBLEMS: 1.THE ENGINE IDLES VERY ROUGHLY 2.THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD 3.THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR HAS SAGGED AND WON?T CLOSE COMPLETELY. ALL OF THESE ISSUES ARE THE RESULT OF POOR DESIGN AND ESPECIALLY POOR QUALITY PARTS. THIS CAR, I SAY AGAIN, ONLY HAS 35,500 MILES ON IT AND THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN APPARENT FOR SOME TIME. THE CAR STARTED VIBRATING ALMOST FROM DAY ONE. THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE I?M TOLD STEMS FROM THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS PROBLEMS. THE DOOR SUPPORTS ARE TOO CHEAPLY MADE TO HOLD UP THE DOOR. OUR FATHER TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS JUST A CHEAPLY MADE CAR AND TO JUST DEAL WITH IT. WE DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE ISSUES. WE SEE ONLINE THAT OTHERS HAVE ALSO HAD THIS RESPONSE FROM FORD DEALERS. WE THEN DECIDED TO CONTACT THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER (800-392-3673) AND SPOKE WITH CHRIS. CHRIS TOLD US THAT THOUGH THEY RECOGNIZED THESE PROBLEMS THEY HAD AS YET NOT ESCALATED INTO A RECALL. FORD WOULD THEREFORE NOT BE WILLING TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIRS OF OUR ZX2. IT IS NOW OUR DECISION TO FILE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND REQUEST THAT FORD RECONSIDER ITS DECISION. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT FROM TROY AIKMAN FORD. THERE IS NO HELP THERE SINCE THEY ARE NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. ACCORDING TO OTHER COMPLAINTS WE'VE FOUND THESE PROBLEMS WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE AND SHIFTING PROBLEMS WHICH COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10292406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesCoppell, TX
STRUCTURE
RE: 2002, FORD ZX2 WE OWN A 2002 STANDARD MODEL FORD ZX2 THAT HAS ONLY 35,500 MILES ON IT. THERE ARE THREE NOTABLE PROBLEMS: 1.THE ENGINE IDLES VERY ROUGHLY 2.THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD 3.THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR HAS SAGGED AND WON?T CLOSE COMPLETELY. ALL OF THESE ISSUES ARE THE RESULT OF POOR DESIGN AND ESPECIALLY POOR QUALITY PARTS. THIS CAR, I SAY AGAIN, ONLY HAS 35,500 MILES ON IT AND THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN APPARENT FOR SOME TIME. THE CAR STARTED VIBRATING ALMOST FROM DAY ONE. THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE I?M TOLD STEMS FROM THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS PROBLEMS. THE DOOR SUPPORTS ARE TOO CHEAPLY MADE TO HOLD UP THE DOOR. OUR FATHER TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS JUST A CHEAPLY MADE CAR AND TO JUST DEAL WITH IT. WE DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE ISSUES. WE SEE ONLINE THAT OTHERS HAVE ALSO HAD THIS RESPONSE FROM FORD DEALERS. WE THEN DECIDED TO CONTACT THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER (800-392-3673) AND SPOKE WITH CHRIS. CHRIS TOLD US THAT THOUGH THEY RECOGNIZED THESE PROBLEMS THEY HAD AS YET NOT ESCALATED INTO A RECALL. FORD WOULD THEREFORE NOT BE WILLING TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIRS OF OUR ZX2. IT IS NOW OUR DECISION TO FILE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND REQUEST THAT FORD RECONSIDER ITS DECISION. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT FROM TROY AIKMAN FORD. THERE IS NO HELP THERE SINCE THEY ARE NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. ACCORDING TO OTHER COMPLAINTS WE'VE FOUND THESE PROBLEMS WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE AND SHIFTING PROBLEMS WHICH COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10292406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,350 milesGlendale, AZ
SEAT BELTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCORT ZX2. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT, SHE NOTICED THAT IT WOULD NOT EXTEND OUTWARDS OR RETRACT TO ITS NORMAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS HAVING MINOR RETRACTING ISSUES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 79,350. UPDATED 02/02/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/03/09.
NHTSA complaint #10242795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesChicago, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR HAVING STARTED HAVING A "PULL" WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP SIGNS. THE PULL KEEPS GETTING WORSE AND FEELS NOW LIKE NOT SWITCHING GEARS PROPERLY ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ALMOST STOPS AND BUMPS BEFORE CONTINUING TO NEXT GEAR. TOOK TO TRANSMISSION CENTER, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #10242289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,400 milesToms River, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2002 FORD ZX2 HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING, MILEAGE IS ONLY 54400.
NHTSA complaint #10175263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,350 milesEllicott City, MD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
IN MAY 2002, I PURCHASED A FORD ESCORT ZX2. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE PUT 21,000 MILES ON THE CAR. RECENTLY, I STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WHERE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING UP AN INCLINE. YESTERDAY, MY ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH MILLER BROTHERS FORD IN ELLICOTT CITY, MD. THIS MORNING I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATING THAT ONE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE HAD FAILED AND THE SECOND WAS ALSO ABOUT TO GO. BOTH NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS IS $890.00. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES ARE BASICALLY WITHIN THE FRAME OF THE CAR AND DO NOT HANG UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THEREFORE, IT IS DOUBTFUL THAT I HAVE RUN OVER SOMETHING TO CAUSE THE DAMAGE. ALSO, HOW CAN BOTH COOLING LINES GO BAD AT THE SAME TIME? IS THIS NOT A DEFECT WITH THIS CAR?
NHTSA complaint #10142450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glasgow, KYCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS INVOLVED (ALONG W/ PASSENGER) IN A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER CAR TURNED RIGHT. WHEN I SAW THAT THE CAR HAD SUCCESSFULLY TURNED I ACCELERATED TO 45-50 MPH. WHEN I CAME UPON THE ROAD, WHICH THE CAR HAD TURNED, THE OTHER CAR DID A COMPLETE "U TURN" AND CAME OUT ONTO THE MAIN ROAD GOING THE OPOSITE DIRECTION. I TRIED TO STOP BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. I HIT THE BACK PASSANGER DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. MY CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE HAULT. WHEN I STRUCK THE OTHER CAR, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. UNFORTUNATELY, MY CAR WAS TOTALED. I COMPLAINED OF BACK AND PELVIC PAIN, PASSANGER HIT HEAD ON DASH BOARD. WE WERE TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL WHERE WE WERE TREATED AND RELEASED. LUCKILY NEITHER THE PASSENGER OR MYSELF WERE NOT SEVERLY INJURED. I HAD ORDERS FROM E.R DOCTOR TO STAY HOME FROM WORK FOR THREE DAYS.
NHTSA complaint #10129792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,472 milesOlmsted TWP, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
CAR INTERMITTENTLY STALLS ON ACCELERATION (APPROX 17 TIMES) HAS STALLED ON HIGHWAY AT 60MPH,WILL NOT RESTART FOR APPROX 15-60 MINUTES AFTER STALL. CAR IS COVERED UNDER FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY PURCHASED AT TIME OF SALE. CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO ORIG DEALER MULLINAX FORD EAST TWICE, BOTH TIMES ADVISED WAS REPAIRED BUT CAR STALLED W/I DAYS/HOURS OF REPAIR. CAR WAS TOWED TO JOHN LANCE FORD 11-15-04WHO CANT FIND ANY PROBLEMS THOUGH IT HAD TO BE PUSHED INTO SERVICE GARAGE.WE ADVISED SERVICE MANAGER CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND DANGER TO OURSELVES & OTHERS AND REQUESTD THEY CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR PROBLEM, THEY ADVISED US THEY WILL CALL POLICE IF WE DO NOT RETURN THEIR (WARRENTY COVERED) LOANER CAR AND PICK UP THE UNREPAIRED CAR IMMEDIATELY. LOANER CAR WAS RETURNED IMMEDIATELY & NOW RENTING A CAR AT MY EXPENSE BECAUSE XZ2 IS UNSAFE UNRELIABLE. SPOKE WITH ATTORNEY WHO ADVISED HE RECEIVES MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT 2002 FORD ESCORT ZX2 & STALLING PROBLEMS BUT UNTILL SOMEONE GETS HURT OR DIES NOTHING WILL BE DONE BY FORD. MY NUMEROUS CONTACTS W/FORD SERVICE MGR'S IN ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE ISSUE HAVE BEEN FRUITLESS I HAVE RECIEVED NO SATISFACTION FROM ORIGIONAL DEALER OR THE SECOND FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPT WHO FORCED US TO PICK UP AN UNREPAIRED CAR WHICH IS UNEXCUSABLE IF NOT CRIMINAL. IT IS NOT A QUESTION OF, IF CAR STALLS AGAIN WHILE DRIVING, BUT WHEN. WE RECD NO PROOF OF WORK ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE PROBLEM PROVIDED IT APPEARS SUPERFICIAL WORK WAS DONE.
NHTSA complaint #10102472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,400 milesKapolei, HI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
CAR STALLS WHEN COASTING OR BRAKING AND COMING TO STOP. CAR ALSO STALLS WHEN ON FREEWAY IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS. CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN IN 5 SEPARATE TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM WITHOUT ANY RESOLUTION. FORD ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR, AND THE EMERGENCY FUEL SENSOR. THIS PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAD 2400 MILES ON IT AND HAS CONTINUED NOW, WHEN IT HAS BEEN OVER 2 YEARS AND NOW HAS 24000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10100093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,400 milesKapolei, HI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
CAR STALLS WHEN COASTING OR BRAKING AND COMING TO STOP. CAR ALSO STALLS WHEN ON FREEWAY IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS. CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN IN 5 SEPARATE TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM WITHOUT ANY RESOLUTION. FORD ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR, AND THE EMERGENCY FUEL SENSOR. THIS PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAD 2400 MILES ON IT AND HAS CONTINUED NOW, WHEN IT HAS BEEN OVER 2 YEARS AND NOW HAS 24000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10100093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewisberry, PA1 injured
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
MY SON, WHILE UPSET, HIT HIS HEAD AGAINST THE BACK OF THE SEAT. A POST OR SOME OTHER OBJECT MOUNTED WITHIN THE SEAT BACK STRUCK HIS HEAD, CAUSING A BLEEDING WOUND. WE WERE NOT IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT RATHER THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. IT IS MY OPINION THAT HAD WE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, THE INJURY WOULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. I DO HAVE A DIGITAL PICTURE OF THE INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10010924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Carrollton, MD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY IN REVERSE GEAR AFTER THE FIRST START OF A DAY FOLLOWING A DAY WHICH I'VE DRIVEN 60-70 MPH FOR SEVERAL HOURS, THE CAR (FORD 2002 ZX2) INITIALLY MOVES IN REVERSE GEAR VERY SLUGGISHLY. IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS BECOME A THICK SLUDGE OR MAYBE A BRAKE IS DRAGGING. DT
NHTSA complaint #769002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Green Wood, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THERE WAS WATER THAT LEAKED INTO INTAKE. SOON AFTER ENGINE FAILED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8009507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.