Does the 2000 Ford Escort have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2000 Ford Escort, the most recent reported on August 18, 2000 (Seat belts). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Ford Escort?

Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine and engine cooling (21 complaints), followed by air bags (18).

How many 2000 Ford Escort complaints mention a crash or fire?

22 of 98 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 21 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2000 Ford Escort recalls and problems

1 recall and 98 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2000 Ford Escort.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2000 Ford Escort recalls

Seat belts

NHTSA campaign 00V228001 · reported August 18, 2000 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 144,435 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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."
The risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Engine and engine cooling21
Air bags18
Power train18
Seat belts11
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Suspension8
Visibility6
Electrical system5
Vehicle speed control5
Steering4

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jan 5, 2016 · Engine · 100,000 miles
TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. TENSIONER ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING SHREDDING THE BELT. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED.

Oct 9, 2015 · Unknown or other · 152,000 miles
THE FIRST DEFECT IS ABOUT THE SHIFTING GEARS LIGHT. I CAN NOT SEE THE SHIFTING GEARS AT NIGHT UNLESS I TURN THE CAR'S LIGHT ON OR SOMETIMES I USE A LIGHT APP TO SEE THEM. THIS IS BECAUSE THE SHIFTING GEARS DON'T SHOW UP ON THE SCREEN AND ALSO THERE'S NO LED LIGHTS FOR THE SHIFTING GEARS THE OTHER PROBLEM I WANT TO…

Feb 2, 2015 · Air bags · 179,000 miles · crash reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES AND CRASHED INTO A VAN. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH SUCH AN EXTREME FORCE THAT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE, CHEST, AND RIGHT ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION…

Jun 19, 2012 · Tires · 113,303 miles
MY WIFE WAS RETURNING HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL WHERE OUR DAUGHTER RECEIVED OUTPATIENT CHEMO THERAPY . AT THE FIRST LIGHT LEAVING THE HOSPITAL THE CAR STARTED SHAKING. MY DAUGHTER THOUGHT HER DOOR WAS OPEN , SO SHE OPENED THE DOOR AND CLOSED IT TO VERIFY THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THEY ENTERED THE HIGHWAY AND WENT ABOUT 1/4…

Nov 9, 2010 · Visibility · 43,000 miles
FORD ESCORT 2000 COUPE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON; I.E., MY WIFE GOT IN THE CAR AND BEFORE SHE EVEN STARTED THE ENGINE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE REAR WINDOW WITH DEFROSTER SHATTERED INTO A MILLION PIECES.

Escort model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	1	98	22	2
2001	0	68	14	3
2002	0	33	4	1
2003	0	10	1	0

Across all years, the 2000 Escort has the most complaints (98). All Ford Escort years →

Questions

Does the 2000 Ford Escort have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2000 Ford Escort, the most recent reported on August 18, 2000 (Seat belts). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Ford Escort?: Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine and engine cooling (21 complaints), followed by air bags (18).
How many 2000 Ford Escort complaints mention a crash or fire?: 22 of 98 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 21 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received January 5, 2016.