Model year record

2000 Ford Escort

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 128 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V228001

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
144,435
Reported to NHTSA
2000-08-18
Owners notified
2000-10-26

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: frontal1448,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1259,126 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline860,480 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine715,079 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly6
Air bags575,000 mi
Vehicle speed control448,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling3
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys386,000 mi
Suspension3
Tires3
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly3
Electrical system: ignition2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump236,855 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2
Power train240,000 mi
Seat belts2
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Seats2
Service brakes, hydraulic240,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip269,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder240,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers171,050 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash156,495 mi
Engine1100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe135,900 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner161,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.148,000 mi
Exterior lighting1152,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seat belts: rear/other150,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic1
Steering140,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1
Suspension: front: shock absorber1
Suspension: rear1
Suspension: rear: springs133,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt169,000 mi
Unknown or other1152,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal117,300 mi
Visibility143,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior148,000 mi
Visibility: windshield1

The 1999 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 2001 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.