1999 Ford ZX2 (escort)
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › ZX2 (escort) › 1999
These records cover every 1999 Ford ZX2 (escort). To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
15 complaints3 involved a crash1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags
Hit frout end at air bag sencers thay did not deployed copps said thay sould of my feainca has bruiseing to chest wall and pulled muscials in his neck
- Power train
Control module procedures ok. So if there IS a programming procedure if it fails you have the nerve to then tell me your going to charge me 50 dollars to tell me the procedure let me calm down. Your kidding right. That IS the most ridiculous thing I think I've ever read.your an american company you…
Control module procedures ok. So if there IS a programming procedure if it fails you have the nerve to then tell me your going to charge me 50 dollars to tell me the procedure let me calm down. Your kidding right. That IS the most ridiculous thing I think I've ever read.your an american company you owe your existence to the american public ok so maybe we should all tell you to take your [xxx] up product that you [xxx] and expect to charge us for your [xxx] and stuff it up your [xxx] seriously what kind of crap are you pulling ya know what im going to write a letter to the competitors and tell them what you told me on your web sight "we didn't build our product properly but we can tell you the procedure to fix it but hey um were gonna charge ya 50 bucks cause ah you trusted us to build a quality product and we didn't so give us more money to pay for our mistake and we will give you the procedure of how to fix it cause we don't give a [xxx] about our product just the money your foolish enough to pay for it"im sending it to dodge,chevy=maybe as consumers you will be forced to fix you product because ya know ya [xxx] and maybe you should pay us back for the crap you sold us information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *Tr
- Fuel/propulsion system
I was out driving the other day, and I heard something dragging on the ground, I pulled over to check, and upon inspection, found that the fuel tank support straps had rusted out, one of them so badly that it had split in two, and the other IS close to failure. I did an internet search, and found…
I was out driving the other day, and I heard something dragging on the ground, I pulled over to check, and upon inspection, found that the fuel tank support straps had rusted out, one of them so badly that it had split in two, and the other IS close to failure. I did an internet search, and found that some fords (pickups) on the same year range had a recall on the same issue. Ford has yet to issue a recall on the issue for may car make model and year. *tr
- Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel · Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford escort ZX2. while driving 65 mpg the cruise control failed and the speedometer fluctuated. approximately 30 seconds later the speedometer became steady then completely failed and went to zero. the contact stated the horn also failed. the current and mileages were 130,788 miles.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
1999 ford ZX2, rough idle and vibration. Took to mechanic to check why it was idling so rough, could not diagnose the problem. found tsb 031515, which says that the bushings on the engine mount were defective. Ford replaced the defective mount in cars made after mine was bought. repair cost approximately $400. ford refused to consider reimbursement. tsb 031515 IS second bulletin for the same problem. *nm
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
Dt: caller stated pcv valve had a hole in it. when she went to buy the part she was told it was discontinued. caller could not find the part even in a a junk yard. Manufacturer had not been contacted yet. *Ak
- Tires › Sidewall
My son's cooper tire separated at the point where the sidewall meets the tread while he was traveling on the highway, causing him to swerve and run off the road. both he and I checked the tire and saw no puncture. I called cooper tire and was told that the tire, since it was a certain dot number…
My son's cooper tire separated at the point where the sidewall meets the tread while he was traveling on the highway, causing him to swerve and run off the road. both he and I checked the tire and saw no puncture. I called cooper tire and was told that the tire, since it was a certain dot number, would be replaced for free. I was directed to a cooper tire dealer. the dealer took the tire in the back and returned with the tire showing a puncture mark in the tire tread. cooper tire now claims that the puncture was the reason for the separation, and that the tire was probably under inflated also. both of these claims were also used by cooper in lawsuits, which I subsequently was made aware of when searching the internet. I did not see any puncture prior to going to the tire dealer. if there was a puncture it very well could have occurred when my son spun off the road into the ditch. there IS still the issue of the separation of the tire into two parts which occurred suddenly and without warning.*ak
- Air bags · Equipment
The design of passenger side airbag cover breaks front windshield on escort ZX2'S. The cover flips up when it could flip down without damaging the windshield. Every ZX2 I've seen or heard about where airbags deployed has had to have windshield replaced. a real money maker for dealerships or glass shops. *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Steering · Structure · Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices
My 1999 ford escort ZX2 has a very bad vibration problem. the vibration IS felt through the steering wheel, through the floor and the brake pedal. the vibration IS so bad that when stuck in traffic and stopped at lights my hands and feet sometimes go numb. I took the car to the dealer and was…
My 1999 ford escort ZX2 has a very bad vibration problem. the vibration IS felt through the steering wheel, through the floor and the brake pedal. the vibration IS so bad that when stuck in traffic and stopped at lights my hands and feet sometimes go numb. I took the car to the dealer and was told this was "normal" for escorts. I contacted ford, who stated that their engineers say this IS a "normal" condition. I feel that this IS not just a performance/comfort issue but a safety issue because if you can't feel the brake pedal or hold on to the steering wheel properly due to numbness cased by the vibration, it could result in an accident. also, sometimes the vibration IS so bad that you can not see properly with the rear view mirrors, which IS another safety concern. according to web sites where people log their complaints, other people have the same problem with vibrations and have received the same response from ford. *cb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Exterior lighting › Headlights · Exterior lighting › Turn signal · Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
I have a 1999 ford escort ZX2. The car has a rough idle in drive and reverse. The car shakes so bad that the headlights and turn signals bounce. I took it to the dealer, had the motor mounts replaced and pcm computer udgraded, and still does it. I was told by the dealer that it's a known problem…
I have a 1999 ford escort ZX2. The car has a rough idle in drive and reverse. The car shakes so bad that the headlights and turn signals bounce. I took it to the dealer, had the motor mounts replaced and pcm computer udgraded, and still does it. I was told by the dealer that it's a known problem in escorts and mystiques. I would like to know if ford knows about this how come the consumer gets stuck paying the bill.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
On 06/12/03 while driving, the timing belt broke, which caused the engine to stall. dealer repaired. on 06/24/03 while driving, the timing belt broke again, and caused engine failure. the dealer diagnosed that the "crank" had too much "play" where it fitted into the drivetrain. this caused the…
On 06/12/03 while driving, the timing belt broke, which caused the engine to stall. dealer repaired. on 06/24/03 while driving, the timing belt broke again, and caused engine failure. the dealer diagnosed that the "crank" had too much "play" where it fitted into the drivetrain. this caused the timing belt to break twice, which resulted in engine failure. *Ak the engine was replaced. the dealer suggested that a part from the manual transmission to the engine from an automatic transmission needed to be installed. *scc *jb
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor
I had left my fan and heat on from previous day. That morning the fan would not blow. ph
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system · Unknown or other
Engine check light came on. As per owner's manual could be emission problem. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS brakes failed resulting vehicle collision. *mjs
- Power train › Automatic transmission
While driving on a state route road,going up a hill in third gear and shifting into fourth gear, vehicle suddenly turned into a 360 degree angle and landed in a ditch. didn't contact dealer. Was told that the unibody was crooked. car had been back about 1 week later. going north on state…
While driving on a state route road,going up a hill in third gear and shifting into fourth gear, vehicle suddenly turned into a 360 degree angle and landed in a ditch. didn't contact dealer. Was told that the unibody was crooked. car had been back about 1 week later. going north on state route with some snow on the road, and shifting from third gear to fourth gear while travelling 35 mph, vehicle once again turned into 360 degree angle and landed in a ditch, facing south. *ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10026389Ford: certain 1999-2001 model year vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in new york and certain 2001 vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in the state of maine, certified for sale in california-federal emission warranty refund.
- 10014062Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10011159Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10009321Inoperative electric rear window defroster (heated backlite) grid lines, integral antenna concerns.
- 10003194Idle vibration on vehicles equipped with 2.0L spi or zetec engine only.
- 10003193The malfunction indicator lamp (mil) may be illuminated and diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p1380, p1381, p1383, and/or p0340 may be stored in memory.
- 10002780Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illumination with diagnostic trouble codes p0442, p0455, p0456, p0457, p1442 or check fuel cap lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble code p0457.
- 6092221Some vehicles equipped with 2.0L engine may exhibit a timing belt shredding or timing belt striking the front cover.
- 6092008Some vehicles may exhibit a concern with engine idle vibration.
- 6092004Brief information regarding transmission fluid.
- 6091978Some vehicles may exhibit a malfunction indicator light on with a diagnostic trouble code p1744.
- 6091974Vehicles may exhibit transmission and / or malfunction indicator lamp on concerns relating to the diagnosis and replacement of the transmission ranger sensor (trs).
- 6091973Some vehicles equipped with the 2.0L zetec engine and mtx transaxle may exhibit a concern of a surge, buck or audible click when the air conditioner compressor cycles during steady state driving conditions.
- 6090731Some vehicles may exhibit a condition of the malfunction indicator light on and diagnostic trouble code p0455 (evaporative emission) in memory.
- 6090647Some vehicles may exhibit a condition of the malfunction indicator lamp light on and diagnostic trouble code p0455 in memory.
- 6090277Concerns with a malfunction indicator light on with a diagnostic trouble code p1744.
- 6090273Some vehicles may exhibit transmission and / or mil on concerns relating to the diagnosis and replacement of the transmission range sensor.
- 6090272Subject regarding air conditioner cycling buck / surge.
- 6090082Information for servicing and diagnosing brake vibration, brake inspection, and brake friction material replacement.
- 625802Some vehicles with automatic transaxles may exhibit a clunk noise on initial reverse engagement cold.
- 618643Vehicles may experience inoperative or incorrect a/c operation after replacing the ccrm.
- 615541Some vehicles may exhibit malfunction indicator light on, stall at tip-in from idle, engine hesitation, and / or surge caused by the mass air flow (maf) sensor.
- 615540Subject regarding the ngs fuel economy test.
- 615506Some vehicles may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp on concern with diagnostic trouble code p1633.
- 615498Some vehicles may exhibit a click sound when apply the brakes while chaning directions. Engineering IS investigating this concern.
- 615495Some vehicles built between 02/98 and 07/98 may exhibit a strong windhsield buzzing sound when the vehicles IS running at speeds above 50 mph and the ambient temperature IS above 100 degrees fahrenheit.
- 615476Some vehicles may exhibit an engine idle vibration concern while in gear and loaded (a/c on, headlights on, and / or rear defroster on).
- 615454Brief information stating that the ngs fuel economy test on some vehicles may not function properly.
- 615415Some vehicles may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp on concern with diagnostic trouble code p1633.
- 615409Information regarding vehicles exhibiting a click sound when applying the brakes while changing direction.
- 615404Information on vehicles exhibiting a strong buzzing sound when the vehicle IS running at speeds above 50 mph and the ambient temperature IS above 100 degrees fahrenheit.
- 615400Information concerning vehicles experiencing an engine idle vibration while in gear and loaded (a/c on, headlights on, and / or rear defroster on).
- 613642Some vehicles may experience spark knock during acceleration. **Mr
- 612979Some vehicles equipped with 2.0L zetec 4V engine with manual transmissions only, may exhibit spark knock during acceleration.
- 612956Subject concerning the idle-vibration- 2.0L and zetec engines- service tip. *Mjs
- 612944Vehicles may exhibit engine hesitation or surge when the a/c compressor cycles may occur. *Mjs
- 612922Some vehicles may exhibit a grinding noise while braking, brake drag and/or uneven front brake pad wear may occur. *Mjs
- 612862Some vehicles equipped with 2.0L zetec 4V engine with manual transmission only, may exhibit spark knock during acceleration.
- 612325Vehicle may experience the malfunction inciator lamp (mil) illumination with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs). *Mjs
- 610874Some vehicles equipped with manual or automatic transmission, built after february 9, 1999, may exhibit an rpm fluctuation (rolling idle) or possible stall at idle.
Every Ford ZX2 (escort) model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.