Vehicle has been in for service 5 times for transmission, still lurches in first, has heavy sideways vibration until vehicle hits highway speeds. Have been charged for repair while under warranty from first repair, Ford Motor Company did not provide assistance.

- Reston, VA, USA

Vehicle had transmission repaired in August of 2001. Soon thereafter, it started to have difficulties with shifts. Now, the vehicle grinds going into 5th gear / refuse to go into 5th and will actually force itself out of 5th gear while at highway speeds, which is obviously unsafe trying to merge onto / drive on DC highways. Took it to a dealer on May 30th, who said they could not recreate the problem. Took vehicle to same dealer on July 5th, rode with shop manager who recreated the problem but was told it would be at least 2 weeks for repair. Took vehicle to another dealer, who had it all week, repaired some component, but problem resurfaced on trip home from dealership. Contacted dealer, who suggested that I could drive a vehicle in this condition on the highway for the next two weeks, then bring it in. I am teaching in another state for the next two weeks, so I am in an urgent need of a functional vehicle.

- Reston, VA, USA

Consumer states vehicle will not shift properly, it often revs at high RPM and does not return to a normal RPM unless vehicle comes to a complete stop, possible transmission problems.

- Houston, TX, USA

Transmission failed prematurely. Nlm

- Cambria, WI, USA

I live in burlington Ontario Canada, yet felt that this issue needed to be addressed beyond contacting the ministry of transportation in Canada, (of which I am in the process of doing). I belong to a large group of Escort ZX2 owners who are on the second and even 3rd transmission! this model was first introduced in 1998(the year of my car) and should not have had so many problems with our transmissions. It is extremely weak and has frequent mis-syncing shifts. I feel this is not only a safety issue, yet one that deserves immediate attention. Please have Ford do a study on this transmission and come up with some sort of "fix" as the present is unacceptable. I have gone through every other channel of which I could in Canada and am now coming to you. Please help.

- Burlington, AK, USA

Transmission failed prematurely. Nlm

- Cambria, WI, USA

While driving tansmission disengages.the dealer is aware of the this problem. Please provide any futher information.

- Walpole, MA, USA

The transmission fails to shift into gear. Would be making loud noises. Vehicle was not drivable. The engine had blown. Was running on 2 cylinders (25 Aug 99). Had vehicle towed to dealer. The mechanic & was informed transmission needed to be replaced. Would need to order a engine. So far no engine.

- Seward, AK, USA

Manual transmission intermittent malfunction due to possible compatibilty problems in association with motor.

- Baltimore, MD, USA