Our ZX2 has been nothing but trouble! on 9-10-02 (29,183 miles) $342.30 worth of work was done on the brake system: Friction reline, disc pads, brake shoes, rotors, drums, disc hardware (which was broken), shim kit, return springs (weak), bleed & adjust, and bearing pack. On 6-19-03 (37,829 miles) we had to have the complete transmission replaced. The cost for this was $1560.07, but since our warranty had just expired our local mechanic had firend at a Ford dealer who gave us the 'good faith' policy and we only paid half. Gee...what a bargain for a 4 year old car. 2 months later, our A/C went out. W delayed repair due to $. on 2-10-04 (44,000 miles) the housing and water pump broke. This is a huge metal piece which the mechanic said he'd had never seen break. It snapped like plastic. The cost of this was $509.47. On 2-24-04 (44,428 miles) we had to have the battery and cabels replaced which cost $117.58. On 3-22-04 we repaired the A/C (45,524 miles). The technician found constant control relay module faulty. This cost $375.76. On 4-25-04 (@ 45,700 miles) another huge metal piece broke! it was the serp. Tension housing and belt. The mechanic again said he has never seen that problem, special ordered the part from a Ford dealer who was also shocked. This cost us $195.96. So far, we have sunk $2321.11 into this car. The worst part is that we still owe on it. May of '04 we went to lou grubb Ford and were told that they were not responsible because our oil changes were not done at a Ford dealer! Ford field engineer denied seeing us. The Ford C.S. woman said, "well, I guess it's time to trade in the car. People trade in bad cars all the time". I have issues knowing that some poor soul will own this money trap. We have written 3 letters to the Ford headquarters in dearborn, mi, but have had no response. It shakes & idles like it could die at any time! I would love to see a class action suit. I will never buy a Ford again if this is their idea of 'built Ford tough'.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

1) headlamps: Originally thought there was a loose wire because right light would work periodically. Upon further inspection, my mechanic found the connection to which the "bulb" was plugged had melted some what. He suggested that I return to the dealer to ask if there were any recalls on this particular problem, which I intend to do tomorrow. 2) brake pedal: Recently I found it necessary to have new brake pads installed. Part of the problem (for me) was the brake pedal was too soft and too low (the brakes were bad also). The repairs were made by an extremely reputable mechanic. Unfortunately, the brake pedal is still too soft and too low.

- Oaklyn, NJ, USA