2000 Ford Escort: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 98 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (19% of complaints); the 2002 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 98 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owned a 2000 ford escort. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the contact attempted to change lanes and crashed into a van. The air bags deployed with such an extreme force that the contact sustained injuries to the face, chest, and right arm that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an unknown location where it was not diagnosed or repaired. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 179,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2014
“Transmission is slipping and does not shift correctly. Timing chain broke while driving and almost caused an accident. Had to have the car towed. Tensioner arm broke while driving shredding the belt. Had to have the car towed.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2012
“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. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle drops in rpm while stopping...upon research others have had the same problem...this is on the ford escort zx2...all models from 1999-to now... *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2009
“Tl*the 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.”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford escort. The ABS light illuminated intermittently for approximately three weeks. While driving 45 mph, the light would remain illuminated until the vehicle was shut off. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer and was not experiencing any brake failure. The current mileage is 71,642, and failure mileage was unknown.*ak updated 05/23/07. *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2007
“Dt*: the contact stated the airbags did not deploy in an accident causing the driver to hit and fracture the windshield at 35 mph. The accident was a rear end collision. The driver was wearing a seatbelt. The airbag warning light was not on prior to the crash. Pictures were available and a police report was taken.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2006
“I had an accident in east grand forks, minnesota on 02/28/06 I was going north on 5th ave n.e. And t-boned the other vehicle traveling westbound on 10th st n.e. They failed to stop at a stop sign. My air bags did not deploy all the way out they popped out of the steering wheel and dash on the passenger side but the air bag layed in my lap after the accident and vehicles came to a rest I still heard the air bags trying to inflate on impact my drivers door also flew open and my seat belt on the drivers side did not lock I was the only person in the vehicle. *jb”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Feb 2006
“Dt: caller's son was in as accident. Upon impact, rear air bags did not deploy. The car was hit from behind at the speed of 30 mph. Car was thrown 150 feet with no skid marks. Caller's son was severely injured, and has been in rehabilitation. Dealer has never called them back. Manufacturer has been called many times, and did not return calls. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2005
“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. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 22 of these complaints and injuries in 21 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
CERTAIN TRW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED ON DECEMBER 6 AND 9, 2002, FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1997 FORD ESCORT 4-DOOR AND STATION WAGON PLATFORM VEHICLES, FORD'S P/N F7CZ54611B09AAC. THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT A NO-LOCK CONDITION WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.
Remedy: TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.
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."
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2000 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Escort by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Ford Escort reliable?
NHTSA has 98 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Ford Escort. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Ford Escort problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 59,126 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Ford Escort have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.