Model year record

2000 Ford Escort

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

Ford Escort, 1997–2003 generation
Pictured: the 1997–2003 generation. Just a Man, CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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.

Other Ford Escort model years

All Ford Escort recalls by year

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.