1989 Ford Escort Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 5%of 152 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1989 Ford Escort, 5% of the 152 complaints for this model year. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle stalls alot, especially when it rains. Owner has to blow dry distributor cap before vehicle will start again. Also, when depressing clutch pedal, vehicle stalls. This has been an ongoing problem for the last couple of years. Clutch has been replaced. Please provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #873477, filed 2000-10“While driving heard loud noise, sounded like something dragging under vehicle, caused by broken teeth around gear, could cause crash, auto repair replaced gears, outer cv boot, and transmission fluid.”
NHTSA complaint #812461, filed 1997-06“The vehicle caught on fire due to the alternator while in traffic. Consumer had a new battery installed, parking brake cable reconnected, a une was performed, water pump replaced, replaced brake pads,disc pad shims and rotors, new alternator, new transmission gasket, coolant fan motor installed which was replaced a second time, inner tie rods and outer tie rods wheel alignment was performed, emission control device replaced, starter was replaced for the second time,timing belt failed while traveling in rush hour traffic, undetected problem with differential caused destruction of transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #983821, filed 1996-04Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 10% |
| 2002 | 5 | 15% |
| 2001 | 13 | 19% |
| 2000 | 18 | 18% |
| 1999 | 35 | 11% |
| 1998 | 43 | 11% |
| 1997 | 29 | 5% |
| 1996 | 19 | 9% |
| 1995 | 36 | 6% |
| 1994 | 19 | 7% |
| 1993 | 30 | 8% |
| 1992 | 8 | 5% |
| 1991 | 30 | 9% |
| 1990 | 4 | 4% |
| 1989 | 8 | 5% |
| 1988 | 7 | 5% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 3 | 12% |
Other parts of the 1989 Ford Escort
64 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsSeat belts
19 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 Ford Escort
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology