NHTSA Complaint #10274968 — 2000 FORD ZX2 (ESCORT)

I BOUGHT MY 2000 ZX2 BRAND NEW IN NOVEMBER OF 1999. I BABY MY CAR AND HAVE KEPT IT WELL MAINTAINED AND SERVICED. I HAVE LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS PRETTY HAPPY WITH MY CAR. HAPPY UNTIL LAST WEEK WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT WENT ON AND I STARTED TO NOTICE A DELAY WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR (I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC). TURNS OUT I NEED MY TRANSMISSION REBUILT (TOOK IT TO AAMCO). A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET TELLS ME I AM NOT ALONE. THERE IS EVEN A GROUP TRYING TO BRING A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST FORD. SEEMS LIKE THE ESCORT, ZX2 AND FOCUS ALL HAVE FAULTY TRANSAXLES. AAMCO STATED IT LOOKS LIKE A DEFECT IN THE METAL (FORD USED CHEAP METAL THAT EVENTUALLY FAILS FAR BEFORE IT SHOULD). I NEED MY CAR SO I'LL PAY THE $2,500 BILL FOR A CAR WORTH ONLY $4000. THE ONE THING I LEARNED FROM THIS: NEVER BUY FORD AGAIN. CAR WAS REPAIRED IN FEB. OF 2009. FOLLOW UP: JULY 2009, MY CAR IS ONCE AGAIN GOING INTO THE SHOP WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS! *TR