VehicleVerdict

2000 Ford Escort problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2000 Ford Escort sits mid-pack among Escort years: 128 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 128, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 43 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (24), airbags (19), and transmission (18), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

128

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

31

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

43

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Escort years?

Escort NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted729 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 5 complaints1983: 7 complaints1984: 27 complaints1985: 31 complaints1986: 53 complaints1987: 65 complaints1988: 206 complaints1989: 199 complaints1990: 128 complaints1991: 413 complaints1992: 222 complaints1993: 480 complaints1994: 351 complaints1995: 725 complaints1996: 257 complaints1997: 729 complaints1998: 470 complaints1999: 413 complaints2000: 128 complaints2001: 85 complaints2002: 41 complaints2003: 13 complaints
Escort NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Escort years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Ford Escort problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2419%
Airbags1915%
Transmission1814%
Seat Belts129%
Brakes119%
Suspension86%
Visibility & Wipers75%
Electrical System65%
Speed Control54%
Steering43%
Tires & Wheels43%
Lighting22%
Latches & Locks22%
Seats22%
Fuel System22%
Other11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 2000 Ford Escort have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04E048000Seat BeltsJuly 12, 2004 · 388 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.

00V228001Seat BeltsAugust 18, 2000 · 144,435 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MY CAR HAS HAD 4 TRANSMISSIONS BEFORE 40,000 MILES AND NOW AT 102,000 MILES I'M HAVING TO PUT A NEW MOTOR IN. THIS CAR HAS HAD EXCELLENT CARE AND MAINTENCE AND NO REASON FOR THIS. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND LOUD NOICE STARTED SO I STOPPED AND HAD IT TOWED FORD SAID IT WAS THE MOTOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 1, 2003

“WAS DRIVING VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 40MPH WHEN AIR BAGS PARTIALLY DEPLOYED. ONE ON DRIVER'S SIDE WAS IN FLAMES. THEN, PASSENGER'S SIDE STARTED TO BURN. NO INDICATIONS OF AIR BAG AREAS BEING HIT OR VEHICLE HITTING ANYTHING WHEN IT HAPPENED. VEHICLE WAS A RENTAL FROM ENTERPRISE.*AK THE DRIVER SAYS SOME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 11, 2000 · crash · fire

“THIS COMPLAINT IS TAKEN C/O LINDA BARTKO. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PERFORMS ERRATICALLY, ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL. GEARS FAIL TO ENGAGE WHEN SHIFTED. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DEALERSHIPS, AND NEITHER ONE COULD DETERMINE THE CAUSE. CONSUMER WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER, BUT NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 29, 2004

“MY DAUGHTER HYDROPLANED AND WAS SLUNG INTO A GUARD RAIL. ON IMPACT TWO SEATBELTS POPPED OPEN. THE AIRBAGS OPENED BUT DIDN'T PREVENT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FROM HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. I THOUGHT AIRBAGS WERE SUPPOSED TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM HITTING THE WINDSHIELD.*AK *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · crash

“BRAKES FAILED, RESULTING IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURY TO THE DRIVER. ALSO, REAR SEAT COLLAPSED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 1, 2000 · crash

2000 Ford Escort — common questions

Is the 2000 Ford Escort reliable?

It is close to typical for the Escort: 128 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2000 Escort problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (24 complaints), airbags (19 complaints), transmission (18 complaints).

Does the 2000 Ford Escort have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Ford Escort. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Escort years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Escort years to avoid are 1997, 1995, 1993, 1998, 1991, 1999, 1994, 1996, 1992, 1988, 1989. The cleanest record among Escort years belongs to 1981.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.