2000 Ford Escort
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 25 of 105 complaints (24%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 340 in 1999 to 105 in 2000.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | vs. 2000 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,250–2,500 | 2,250–2,500 | 2,300–2,500 | 2,400–2,500 | 2,400–2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–28 | 25–28 | 25–27 | 25–26 | 25–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–24 / 30–34 | 22–24 / 30–34 | 22–24 / 30–32 | 22–23 / 30–32 | 22–23 / 30–32 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 317–355 | 317–355 | 329–355 | 342–355 | 342–355 | |
| Complaints filed | 383 | 340 | 105 | 86 | 45 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 85 | 82 | 22 | 15 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 11 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 79 | 57 | 21 | 7 | 12 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2000 Ford Escort have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2000 Ford Escort?
Airbags & Restraints: 25 of 105 NHTSA complaints (24%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Ford Escort get?
EPA rates it 25–27 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2000 Ford Escort?
EPA estimates $2,300–$2,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 355 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 355 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 24 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | $2,300 (low) | 329 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 10 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 25 | 20 | 1 | 21 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
SEAT BELTS:FRONT · Campaign 04E048000 · Jul 13, 2004
Defect: CERTAIN TRW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED ON DECEMBER 6 AND 9, 2002, FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1997 FORD ESCORT 4-DOOR AND STATION WAGON PLATFORM VEHICLES, FORD'S P/N F7CZ54611B09AAC. THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT A NO-LOCK CONDITION WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.
SEAT BELTS · Campaign 00V228001 · Aug 22, 2000
Defect: 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."
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
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.