KnownCarProblems2000 Ford Escort Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 98 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Ford Escort, most often about the engine (22% of complaints, typically around 48,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Escort model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2000 Ford Escort problems
Engine
22 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
I would like to reference odi cases # 8016196, 1451010 and particularly 881231 in reference to my Ford Escort. While driving at low speed, my power steering, AC and alternator went out when the serpentine belt broke. The belt was wrapped around the water pump tensioner, which literally snapped away from the water pump…
While the vehicle is sitting idling, there is a severe vibration in the steering wheel. The dealer examined the vehicle and replaced the throw out and main bearing on the crank shaft. The dealer did not have more options to correct the problem.
Air bags
18 complaints · 18%Parts named most often: frontal.
My daughter had a front end collision and the air bag did not release. She was stopped at a traffic light and a 2000 honda accord came around the corner and hit her head on on the passenger side.
Crash with injuries, front end damage to 2000, Ford, Escort zx2 head injuries due to low airbags. Both driver and passenger had head injuries because the airbags provided no head/neck protection.
Transmission
18 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, clutch assembly, manual transmission.
On june 21, 2003, I was operating the vehicle at approx. 30 MPH. I attempted to speed up and found that the accelerator was no longer functioning. Due to the fact that the car failed to accelerate I was forced to coast to the side of the road, where a tow truck picked it up and towed it to the dealership. Approx. 6…
While driving at any speed and whenever the gas pedal was depressed the vehicle revved, but did not accelerate. The consumer had this problem since buying the vehicle brand new. One transmission had been replaced by the dealer. The transmission hesitated and shifted harshly, there was a popping noise with the braking…
Seat belts
11 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: front, rear/other.
The left rear shoulder/lap belts constantly tightened on 9 year old child while driving 70 MPH on the highway. The seat belt got so tight that the consumer saught assistance from a near by police officer, who had to cut the seat belt to free their child.
Brakes
10 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, power assist.
When the brake was applied, the vehicle failed to stop which caused consumer to crash into a truck, the master cylinder was replaced. Ts
While driving at any speed and whenever the gas pedal was depressed the vehicle revved, but did not accelerate. The consumer had this problem since buying the vehicle brand new. One transmission had been replaced by the dealer. The transmission hesitated and shifted harshly, there was a popping noise with the braking…
Suspension
8 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: front, rear.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Ford Escort. In an attempt to purchase new tires and after the vehicle was put on a lift, the tire dealer discovered that both rear springs failed. The dealer was notified and stated that there were no recalls regarding the springs. The current mileage was 33,009 and failure mileage was 33,000.
Visibility and wipers
6 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly, windshield, power window devices and controls, rearview mirrors/devices.
While driving at any speed and whenever the gas pedal was depressed the vehicle revved, but did not accelerate. The consumer had this problem since buying the vehicle brand new. One transmission had been replaced by the dealer. The transmission hesitated and shifted harshly, there was a popping noise with the braking…
Ford Escort 2000 coupe rear window shattered for no apparent reason; I.e., my wife got in the car and before she even started the engine while parked in the driveway, the rear window with defroster shattered into a million pieces.
Electrical
5 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: ignition, wiring.
On numerous ocassions from august, 2002 through the present (february 7, 2004), we have had the fuses labelled "stop" and "hazard" have blown while driving. This results in the following failures: (1) when the "stop" fuse blows, the stop lights do not function (which is unknown to the driver and may result in a crash…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 Ford Escort recalls
Seat belts
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the date code on certain seat belt buckles of your vehicle and replace all seat belt buckles that fall within the suspect date code range. Owner notification began october 26, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2000 Ford Escort
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Ford Escort?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (22 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles); air bags (18 complaints); transmission (18 complaints, typically around 59,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 Ford Escort have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 18, 2000 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2000 a bad year for the Ford Escort?
- It is the most complained-about Escort model year since 2000, with 98 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.