Model year record
2002 Ford ZX2 (escort) recalls & problems
The 2002 Ford ZX2 (escort) has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 12 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is power train (5 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2002 Ford ZX2 (escort).
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines | 5 | 70,500 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe; Exhaust system › Emission control | 3 | — |
| SeatsMid/rear assembly | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, otherFuel injection system | 1 | — |
| Air bags | 1 | — |
| Seat belts | 1 | — |
| Structure | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- 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.
- 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…
- 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. *JB
- 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. *TR
- Engine and engine cooling
2002 FORD ZX2 HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING, MILEAGE IS ONLY 54400. *JB
- 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…
- Air bagsCrash2 injuries
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…
- 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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.