Towing Issues: Towing Caused Transmission Problem?, ford escort exp, rear tires


Question
I had my son's 88 Ford Escort EXP frontwheel drive car towed yesterday as it wouldn't start & we couldn't figure it out.  They towed it by the back wheels.  After replacing the fuel pump, the car does not shift out of first gear (automatic).  

Did towing by the back wheels (less than 10 miles at 35 mph) hurt the transmission?

Answer
Since the car is FWD, the towing operator had only two choices; tow the car with the rear tires on the road or to load the car onto a car carrier, flatbed.  

The problem you describe could not have been caused by the towing service unless he had to winch the car out of a garage or parking spot to hook up.