Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Ford Escort ZX2, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 16% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 12% |
| Tires | 3 | 12% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 8% |
| Suspension | 2 | 8% |
| Power train | 2 | 8% |
| Structure | 2 | 8% |
| Seats | 1 | 4% |
| Air bags | 1 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THE PLASTIC COVER ON THE SEAT-BACK RELEASE HANDLE ( PASSENGER SIDE) OF MY 1998 FORD ESCORT ZX2 HAS BECOME BROKEN AND WILL POP OFF WHEN THE SEAT BACK IS RELEASED. AS A RESULT, ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20TH, I SEVERELY LACERAT
NHTSA complaint: Seats
A STALLED SUBURBAN IN THE #1 LANE AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL BECAME VISIBLE WHEN THE VAN DIRECTLY AHEAD OF ME SWERVED AT THE LAST MOMENT. I HIT THE BRAKES BUT HIT THE SUV AND TOTALED MY ESCORT. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
1998 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT FIRE AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH (ACCORDING TO INSURANCE FIRE INVESTIGATOR) - FORD CLAIMED THEY SENT 3 RECALL NOTICES, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY UNTIL 3 DAYS AFTER THE FIRE -
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT ON FIRE AT 4:00 AM BY ITSELF. IT WAS LAST DRIVEN 14 HOURS PRIOR TO CATCHING ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS SO HOT IT MELTED THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FIRE INSPECTO
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
I WAS DRIVING FROM THE STORE ON 10/27/05 ,WHEN I STOP TO A RED LIGHT AND I SAW SMOKE COME FROM THE SIDE AND FRONT OF THE CAR. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PROCEEDED TO GO HOME ,WHEN I GOT HOME I RAN UP THE STAIRS TO WH
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
CAR MAKES HIDIOUSLY LOUD SCREECHING SOUND. MECHANICS CAN'T FIND WHERE IT IS. I REPLACED MANY PARTS BUT THE SOUND CONTINUES TO COME OUT.
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
MY WIFE WAS TEACHING AT THE LOCAL JR. COLLEGE HERE IN PENSACOLA FLORIDA. SHE PARKED THE TRUCK AT APPROX. 6:45PM ,HER CLASSROOM FACES THE PARKING LOT. FROM THE SECOND FLOOR SOME OF HER STUDENTS COULD SEE SOMETHING ON FIRE
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
DRIVING 1998 FORD EXPEDITION V8 5.4 LITER... DOWN THE HIGHWAY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND THE # 4 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD, CAUSING A VERY LOAD BANG FOLLOWED BUY LOAD EXHAUST, ESCAPING FROM THE PLUG HOLE A
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
| Reliability raw | 68 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 46 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 4 of them (16%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 68/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1998 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.