Most common 1999 Ford ZX2 (escort) problems
Share of the 15 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford ZX2 (escort) complaints by model year
Best ZX2 (escort) years: 2000, 1998, 2003. Years to avoid: 2001, 1999, 2002. Compare all years →
What 1999 Ford ZX2 (escort) owners say
Engine & cooling
On 06/12/03 while driving, the timing belt broke, which caused the engine to stall. Dealer repaired. On 06/24/03 while driving, the timing belt broke again, and caused engine failure. The dealer diagnosed that the "crank" had too much "play" where it fitted into the drivetrain. This caused the timing belt to break twice, which resulted in engine failure. The engine was replaced. The dealer suggested that a part from the manual transmission to the engine from an automatic transmission needed to be installed.
I have a 1999 Ford escort ZX2. The car has a rough idle in drive and reverse. The car shakes so bad that the headlights and turn signals bounce. I took it to the dealer, had the motor mounts replaced and PCM computer udgraded, and still does it. I was told by the dealer that it's a known problem in escorts and mystiques. I would like to know if Ford knows about this how come the consumer gets stuck paying the bill.
Transmission & drivetrain
While driving on a state route road,going up a hill in third gear and shifting into fourth gear, vehicle suddenly turned into a 360 degree angle and landed in a ditch. Didn't contact dealer. Was told that the unibody was crooked. Car had been back about 1 week later. Going north on state route with some snow on the road, and shifting from third gear to fourth gear while travelling 35 MPH, vehicle once again turned into 360 degree angle and landed in a ditch, facing south.
I have a 1999 Ford escort ZX2. The car has a rough idle in drive and reverse. The car shakes so bad that the headlights and turn signals bounce. I took it to the dealer, had the motor mounts replaced and PCM computer udgraded, and still does it. I was told by the dealer that it's a known problem in escorts and mystiques. I would like to know if Ford knows about this how come the consumer gets stuck paying the bill.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Ford ZX2 (escort) a good car?
Based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 ZX2 (escort) rates use caution: 1.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the ZX2 (escort) at the same age. It is one of the ZX2 (escort) years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Ford ZX2 (escort)?
The engine & cooling — 6 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (3) and air bags (2).
How many recalls does the 1999 Ford ZX2 (escort) have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1999 Ford ZX2 (escort). You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford ZX2 (escort)?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2000, 1998 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001, 1999 and 2002. See the full Ford ZX2 (escort) years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford ZX2 (escort) problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 91,000 miles; 11% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.