Most common 2002 Ford ZX2 (escort) problems
Share of the 12 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 2002 Ford ZX2 (escort) owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
Re: 2002, Ford ZX2 we own a 2002 standard model Ford ZX2 that has only 35,500 miles on it. There are three notable problems: 1.the engine idles very roughly 2.the transmission shifts very hard 3.the front driver door has sagged and won?t close completely. All of these issues are the result of poor design and especially poor quality parts. This car, I say again, only has 35,500 miles on it and the problems have been apparent for some time. The car started vibrating almost from day one. The transmission issue I?m told stems from the motor and transmission mounts problems. The door supports are too cheaply made to hold up the door. Our father took the car to the Ford service department and was told that this was just a cheaply made car and to just deal with it. We did some research online and found numerous complaints about these issues. …
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. From what I understand, the transmission cooling lines are basically within the frame of the car and do not hang underneath the car. Therefore, it is doubtful that I have run over something to cause the damage. Also, how can both cooling lines go bad at the same time? Is this not a defect with this car?
Engine & cooling
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.
There was water that leaked into intake. Soon after engine failed. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything. Please provide further information.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Ford ZX2 (escort) a good car?
Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 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 2002 Ford ZX2 (escort)?
The transmission & drivetrain — 5 complaints, 42% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the engine & cooling (3) and fuel & propulsion system (2).
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford ZX2 (escort) have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 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 2002 Ford ZX2 (escort) problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 54,000 miles; 50% 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.