FordEscort2000Overview/ford/escort/2000/base/

2000 Ford Escort

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2000 Escort.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2000 Ford Escort is a passenger car equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission and rated by the EPA at 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined, with a 4.0-quart sump of 5W-20 API oil keeping its engine lubricated. Owner feedback places this model year on the quieter side of the Escort's 1990–2002 complaint history, which peaked at 647 grievances in 1995 and bottomed out at 90 in 2002; the 2000 sits at 153 total complaints alongside two recalls, with the Engine & Engine Cooling category drawing the most attention. That positioning suggests the 2000 benefits from the platform's maturation toward the end of its run, though the concentration of engine-related complaints means buyers and researchers should pay particular attention to cooling-system integrity.

Model year200320022001200019991998199719961995

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/31/26 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 58R · 500 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 58R · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP185-65R14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.5-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length175.2 in
Overall width67.3 in
Overall height52.4 in
Wheelbase98.4 in
Curb weight2482 lb
Track (front / rear)56.7 / 56.7 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 31 / 26 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume87 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Escort of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.9–10.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.90 sec — 1995 RS Cosworth 3-door Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1999ZX2 Coupe 2.0L I-47.60 sec15.80 sec130 hpFWD
1998ZX2 Coupe 2.0L I-47.40 sec15.70 sec130 hpFWD
1998ZX2 S/R Coupe 2.0L I-47.80 sec16.10 sec130 hpFWD
1997LX Sedan 2.0L I-410.90 sec18.10 sec110 hpFWD
1995RS Cosworth 3-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-44.90 sec13.60 sec227 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts81-96 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts81-89 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15-22 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15-17 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12-15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts10-12 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub174-235 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub152 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 785, AT: 760 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)MT: 35, AT: 30 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque10.0-15.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.75 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number58R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15.0 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14.-17.5 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)35.0-55.0
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 DOHC ohms

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle34-44 ft-lbs / 65-87 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket29-36 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.040 in
Drum Nominal Diameter9 in / 7.874 in
Drum Maximum Machining9.059 in / 7.933 in
Drum Discard at-or-over9.06 / 7.934
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.35 in / 0.866 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
130-44 ft. lbs.30–44 ft. lbs
2Loosen bolts 1/2 turn.
330-44 ft. lbs.30–44 ft. lbs
490 degrees.90 degrees
590 degrees.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
230 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
3105 degrees105 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miTiming Belt (inspect)
At 150,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Across this Escort generation, federal complaints trended sharply downward after volatile mid-generation peaks in 1995 (647 complaints) and 1997 (610 complaints). The 2000 model year sits securely within this declining arc, registering only 153 complaints—a significant drop from the 365 complaints in 1999 and closely trailing the quieter 2001 model (99 complaints). For the 2000 model specifically, the primary complaint categories are Engine & Engine Cooling (22), Air Bags (15), Electrical System (14), and Power Train (13), alongside 27 crash and 11 fire complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes. With zero federal investigations, a low recall count of two, and the benefit of a matured platform where earlier issues were largely resolved, the 2000 Ford Escort is a smart, low-risk year to buy used.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
55
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
153
Owner complaints
27 involved a crash · 11 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 153 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling22
Air Bags15
Electrical System14
Power Train13
Vehicle Speed Control9
Visibility8
Suspension8
Service Brakes, Hydraulic8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

04E048000Seat Belts:FrontReported 12/07/2004

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… Remedy: TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.

00V228001Seat BeltsReported 18/08/2000

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 55 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
CSP-08B012008-05-16Engine And Engine CoolingFORD: CERTAIN 1999-2001 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN NEW YORK AND…
SP-08B012008-05-01Engine And Engine CoolingFORD SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. CSC LETTER WAS…
190162006-01-01Engine And Engine CoolingREPLACE TIMING BELT IDLER PULLEY DURING 2.0L ZETEC ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD REPLACEMENT…
041892004-12-13VisibilityREAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR…
0421072004-12-13Power TrainGENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Escort. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2000 Escort take?

4.0 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2000 Escort have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Escort get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 31 highway / 26 combined mpg.