1990 Ford Escort Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 4%of 101 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1990 Ford Escort, 4% of the 101 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles.
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.
“1990 Ford Escort with 1.9 l engine, throttle-body fuel inj, and man 5-speed transm. Approx 8 hwy miles from home, passing thru small town with 25-MPH limit, signal light, and rr crossing, the Ford's engine suddenly revved to incredibly high RPM's. Frightened, I immediately pushed in the clutch. No floor mat or stuck accelerator/mechanical problems existed. Apparently this was a computer cause. Within seconds, perhaps 4 to 8 seconds, I was prepared to turn off the key ignition to the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10313471, filed 2010-02, 120,000 miles“Since the ignition switched has been replaced vehicle still stalled out.noticed that the engine at idle speed loops or idles erratically.transmission also shifts sloppy have taken the car to two transmission places and found nothing.also cosmetic light on passenger side visor stays lit when flap is closed.”
NHTSA complaint #730027, filed 2000-09Transmission 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 1990 Ford Escort
46 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsTires
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 Ford Escort
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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