1998 Ford Escort / ZX2 Ford Escort / ZX2 1998

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

1998 Ford Escort / ZX2 repairs by problem area

Engine (32%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (4%)

Brakes and Traction Control (8%)

Suspension and Steering (24%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (24%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (4%)

Other (4%)

Chart based on 25 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 1998 Ford Escort / ZX2.

1998 Ford Escort / ZX2 repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (0%)

$500 - $999 (9%)

$100 - $499 (35%)

< $100 (57%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 23 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

1998 Ford Escort / ZX2

Engine not specified

Ford in Indiana, United States
Aug 2012 - Dec 2012
Sep 2012

203000 mi

US $20
replace brake switch 
Ford in Florida, United States
Nov 2011 - Mar 2012
Jan 2012

US $200
Replaced both front hubs. 

Return to top

1998 Ford Escort / ZX2 4-door

4-cylinder manual 2WD

Ford in Massachusetts, United States
Jul 2010 - Mar 2012
Aug 2010

70500 mi

US $800
front brakes, including discs and pads and calipers 
May 2011

76700 mi

US $150
shift plate (manual) 
Jun 2011

77000 mi

US $150
rear wiper motor 
Ford in Ohio, United States
Nov 2011 - Sep 2017
Jan 2012

112000 mi

US $55
Flat tire due to rusted wheel not sealing. Had to buy a replacement wheel. 
Aug 2012

114900 mi

US $100
Rear springs broken, replaced both & 1 spring perch. Also replaced rear brakes & freed frozen parking brake mechanism. 
Sep 2012

116000 mi

US $135
Ignition coil failed & shorted out PCM as well. New coil, PCM & crank position sensor (that was a guess, don't think it was bad) 
Nov 2012

116500 mi

US $20
Rust in the floor. Loose rust was removed and a patch panel fabricated and screwed in place, caulked & painted. 
Apr 2013

119500 mi

US $6
Broken/worn front sway bar links replaced. Bad alternator 

Return to top

1998 Ford Escort / ZX2 2-door

4-cylinder manual 2WD

Ford in Ohio, United States
Aug 2010 - Jun 2013
Apr 2011

167000 mi

US $320
radiator leak - replace radiator, thermostat, and coolant. 
Mar 2012

169000 mi

US $100
Park brake cable rusted and broke. Cable replaced and brakes adjusted/ 
Nov 2012

182500 mi
shock mount broke off rear passenger strut. 
Ford in Colorado, United States
Apr 2011 - Jun 2018
Nov 2011

89000 mi

US $90
Water pump making noise, replaced same. 
Dec 2011

90000 mi

US $10
no heat in cabin of vehicle, determined thermostat needed to be replaced it actually split apart 
Jan 2013

106000 mi

US $515
Gears not engaging smoothly. Timing belt and pulley replaced.  Valve cover gasket leaking. Replaced valve cover gasket. 
Oct 2016

129000 mi

US $50
Upper power steering hose had 'pinhead' leak due to accident. When located, replaced hose, refilled reserve container, monitored for leaks. duplicate entry 
Jun 2017

136000 mi

US $35
Ever since a major rainstorm, have had issues with serpentine belt slipping off pulley system. Whenever there is more than a 'drizzle' the belt seems to slip off. Removed belt, cleaned belt and 'attempted to' clean pulleys involved. Replaced belt to pulley system, noting condition of pulleys. All seem to be in decent shape. 
Mar 2018

141000 mi

US $90
Windshield wipers quit working after cleaning window just before a rain shower. Checked fuses with no negative results (fuses checked out fine - operational). Determined wiper motor needed to be replaced. 

Return to top

1998 Ford Escort / ZX2 2-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Ford in Ohio, United States
Jun 2011 - Aug 2021
Jul 2011

120300 mi

US $60
Accumulator/dryer 
Jun 2012

130000 mi

US $110
Belt tensioner 
Aug 2012

136800 mi

US $35
A/C compressor seized. Installed another compressor. 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all Ford models.

1998 Ford Escort / ZX2 Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 1998 Ford Escort / ZX2 problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.