AI Damage2003 Ford ZX2 (escort): common problems
Owners of the 2003 Ford ZX2 (escort) filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 33% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 17% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 17% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 17% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Kinked and crimped vacuum brake hose causing the brakes to go hard as a rock, losing control of the car upon braking and 2 accidents. Car was under warranty and the dealer failed to diagnose the problem leading to the accidents. Accident 1. $6,000 damage. Accident 2, $1,600 damage.
The automatic transmission, or related critical component parts, on this vehicle has failed. It was towed to avis ford about two weeks ago. The service manager, john, was requested to contact the manufacturer's representative to review the problem. Despite daily promises of a call from the manf.
The other day I was driving my 2003 ford zx2 and my air bags went off, leaving with arm scrapes, broken windshield. I was going over railroad tracks when it happened. The police were shocked that this happen and said I should tell you guys about. My car is still in the shop and progressive insurance is on my side.
The vehicle dies/stalls when braking to turn off a highway. When driving on highway going 55-60 mph the vehicle dies when braking. You lose power steering. Car will turn back on.
Whenever the a/c compressor is on.....and you take your foot off the accelerator pedal....the car continues to maintain its speed!!....just as if you had the cruise control set. The only time the vehicle does this is when the a/c compressor is activated.
I have a 2003 ford zx2 that has had a severe idle vibration for nearly one year that ford is refusing to fix. The defect causes a severe vibration in the steering wheel, glove box, vents, and seats of the car and occurs on a daily basis in any gear or any driving condition.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,281 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the ZX2 (escort) has 11 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 6, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford ZX2 (escort)?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, air bags, electrical system. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (17%), stalls while driving (17%), steering or power steering problems (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2003 Ford ZX2 (escort)?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2003 Ford ZX2 (escort) from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2003 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.