2002 Ford ZX2 (ESCORT) problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
46,436 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 12 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 41.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 16.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other:Fuel Injection System | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Air Bags: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Fuel System, Other:Fuel Injection System: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10142450 · 2005-11-11 (November 11, 2005)
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. …
Owner-reported narrative. 21,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10142450 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10242289 · 2008-09-15 (September 15, 2008)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10242289 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100093 · 2004-11-17 (November 17, 2004)
CAR STALLS WHEN COASTING OR BRAKING AND COMING TO STOP. CAR ALSO STALLS WHEN ON FREEWAY IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS. CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN IN 5 SEPARATE TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM WITHOUT ANY RESOLUTION. FORD ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR, AND THE EMERGENCY FUEL SENSOR. THIS PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAD 2400 MILES ON IT AND HAS CONTINUED NOW, WHEN IT HAS BEEN OVER 2 YEARS AND NOW HAS 24000 MILES ON IT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10102472 · 2004-12-09 (December 9, 2004)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 38,472 miles reported. Look up ODI 10102472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 769002 · 2002-10-28 (October 28, 2002)
WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY IN REVERSE GEAR AFTER THE FIRST START OF A DAY FOLLOWING A DAY WHICH I'VE DRIVEN 60-70 MPH FOR SEVERAL HOURS, THE CAR (FORD 2002 ZX2) INITIALLY MOVES IN REVERSE GEAR VERY SLUGGISHLY. IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS BECOME A THICK SLUDGE OR MAYBE A BRAKE IS DRAGGING. DT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 769002 at NHTSA ↗