2000 Ford Escort recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 ESCORT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04E048000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT
Summary: 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.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE IN 1997-2003 MODEL YEAR FORD ESCORT AND MERCURY TRACER 4-DOOR AND STATION WAGON VEHICLES AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED IN FORD VEHICLES BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
2. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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."
What could happen: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
The 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 FRE…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 ESCORT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V228001.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-392-3673.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS
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."
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.
Notes: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2000 Ford Escort owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (29), Airbags (22), Transmission / drivetrain (19), Electrical system (17), Visibility (wipers / glass) (13).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
01/05/2016 · Transmission / drivetrain
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.
10/09/2015 · Lights
THE FIRST DEFECT IS ABOUT THE SHIFTING GEARS LIGHT. I CAN NOT SEE THE SHIFTING GEARS AT NIGHT UNLESS I TURN THE CAR'S LIGHT ON OR SOMETIMES I USE A LIGHT APP TO SEE THEM. THIS IS BECAUSE THE SHIFTING GEARS DON'T SHOW UP ON THE SCREEN AND ALSO THERE'S NO LED LIGHTS FOR THE SHIFTING GEARS THE OTHER PROBLEM I WANT TO REPORT IS THAT THESE CARS HAVE ALWAYS HAD…
02/02/2015 · Airbags · crash
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 A…
06/19/2012 · Wheels / tires
MY WIFE WAS RETURNING HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL WHERE OUR DAUGHTER RECEIVED OUTPATIENT CHEMO THERAPY . AT THE FIRST LIGHT LEAVING THE HOSPITAL THE CAR STARTED SHAKING. MY DAUGHTER THOUGHT HER DOOR WAS OPEN , SO SHE OPENED THE DOOR AND CLOSED IT TO VERIFY THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THEY ENTERED THE HIGHWAY AND WENT ABOUT 1/4 MILE AND THE CAR MADE A RUMBLING NOISE AND…
11/09/2010 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
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
12/13/2009 · Engine
BURN OUT MOTOR. *TR
02/23/2009 · Vehicle Speed Control
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
01/23/2008 · Electrical system
HAVE EXPERIENCE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM FOR YEARS. A BLOWER CONTINUES TO RUN EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, CAUSING THE RADIO AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT TO WORK PROPERLY. *TR