2003 Ford ZX2 (ESCORT) problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
6,045 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 6 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 33.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 33.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 16.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 3; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10151548 · 2006-03-01 (March 1, 2006)
THE VEHICLE DIES/STALLS WHEN BRAKING TO TURN OFF A HIGHWAY. WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY GOING 55-60 MPH THE VEHICLE DIES WHEN BRAKING. YOU LOSE POWER STEERING. CAR WILL TURN BACK ON. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10151548 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10173025 · 2006-11-09 (November 9, 2006)
KINKED AND CRIMPED VACUUM BRAKE HOSE CAUSING THE BRAKES TO GO HARD AS A ROCK, LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR UPON BRAKING AND 2 ACCIDENTS. CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALER FAILED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM LEADING TO THE ACCIDENTS. ACCIDENT 1. $6,000 DAMAGE. ACCIDENT 2, $1,600 DAMAGE. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE CRIMPED BRAKE HOSE CLOSED OFF UNDER THE HOOD. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SERVICE OPENED THE HOOD AND IMMEDIATELY SAW THE PROBLEM AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM WHAT WAS WRONG. HE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALERSHIP FI…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,090 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173025 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10080940 · 2004-07-13 (July 13, 2004)
I HAVE A 2003 FORD ZX2 THAT HAS HAD A SEVERE IDLE VIBRATION FOR NEARLY ONE YEAR THAT FORD IS REFUSING TO FIX. THE DEFECT CAUSES A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, GLOVE BOX, VENTS, AND SEATS OF THE CAR AND OCCURS ON A DAILY BASIS IN ANY GEAR OR ANY DRIVING CONDITION. THIS VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE COMPANY IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM DUE TO SERVICE BULLETIN 03-15-15. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIPS THAT THE VEHICLE'S EMISSIONS ARE SO LOW THE VEHICLE IS TRYING TO TURN OFF AT IDLE AND THAT THE CHECK ENGINE L…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10080940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10211982 · 2007-12-15 (December 15, 2007)
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, OR RELATED CRITICAL COMPONENT PARTS, ON THIS VEHICLE HAS FAILED. IT WAS TOWED TO AVIS FORD ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. THE SERVICE MANAGER, JOHN, WAS REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE TO REVIEW THE PROBLEM. DESPITE DAILY PROMISES OF A CALL FROM THE MANF. REP, NO CALL HAS BEEN RECEIVED, TOTALLY IGNORING OUR CONCERNS. A TRANSMISSION, OR RELATED CRITICAL COMPONENT PARTS, SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER 64,000 MILES OF NORMAL USE. FORD MUST PAY ALL OR MOST OF THE REPAIR COSTS OF THIS FAILURE. THE MANF. REP MUS…
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10211982 at NHTSA ↗