1994 Ford Escort Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 7%of 279 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1994 Ford Escort, 7% of the 279 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After we came home our car locked into park, it would not move. When my husband removed the cover , the spring inside is totally screwed up. It would be fatal if this locked up while on the highway. We have two kids this it a Ford safety issue. This is the second time this has happened.”
NHTSA complaint #10156900, filed 2006-05, 97,000 miles“The vehicle was parked and idling when it suddenly went in reverse. The driver hung on to the open door of his 1994 Ford Escort and was dragged for 100 feet. The consumer was dragged 100 feet and had gotten trapped between the door and the pavement and was suffocated.”
NHTSA complaint #10114900, filed 2005-03, 45,000 miles“Consumer bought car in march. With 20 miles on vehicle, transmission had to be replaced four times. The first time, transmission was slipping and wouldn't go into gear. The second time, transmission fell apart an hour after she picked it up. Third time, transmission wouldn't go into reverse, and fourth time, transmission would not shift into any gear. It would stay in park and make grinding noise.”
NHTSA complaint #856551, filed 2000-02“Driver and passenger automatic seat belts will not release from retracting mechanism. Also, gears will not shift into reverse, cause unknown. Please give any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #880320, filed 2001-02“While driving transmission does not shift into high or low gears, cause unknown. Dealer cannot identify the cause of the problem. Please give any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #857193, filed 2000-02Transmission 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 1994 Ford Escort
79 complaintsAir bags
54 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsEngine cooling
30 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsTires
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 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