Model year record

1990 Ford Festiva recalls & problems

The 1990 Ford Festiva has 3 safety recalls and 21 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is seat belts (11 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints21filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionJun 24, 1996

Front › Control arm

Recall 96E01700094 vehicles

Problem: EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT/CONTROL ARM MANUFACTURED BY MOOG INDUSTRIES. DUE TO MISPACKAGING, CERTAIN BALL JOINT/CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES WERE INCORRECTLY PLACED IN THE WRONG BOXES.
Risk: THESE BALL JOINT/CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES WILL NOT FIT INTO THE FRAME RECESS WITHOUT BEING ALTERED. ALSO THE STUD IS UNDERSIZED AND WILL NOT FIT THE SPINDLE PROPERLY POSSIBLY CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: MOOG WILL REPLACE THE INCORRECTLY PACKAGED ASSEMBLIES WITH CORRECT BALL JOINT/CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES.

Seat beltsJun 27, 1995

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 95V103011265,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THAT LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

Seat beltsMar 8, 1990

Front › Warning light/devices

Recall 90V045000268 vehicles

Problem: THE "FASTEN SEAT BELTS" WARNING LIGHTS MAY NOT WORK WHEN THE IGNITION IS SWITCHED TO THE "ON" POSITION DURING COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.
Risk: OCCUPANTS WOULD NOT RECEIVE THIS WARNING TO USE SAFETY BELTS AND CARS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 208.
Fix: FORD WILL REPLACE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS IN THE AFFECTED CARS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Festiva

33mpg combined

City / highway	30 / 37 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,050/year to fuel

Festiva

28mpg combined

City / highway	27 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Typical mileage*
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Retractor	11	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Wiring › Interior/under dash	3	0	1	—
WheelsLugs/nuts/bolts/studs	3	1	0	—
Power train	1	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Drum › Shoes/linings	1	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer	1	0	0	—
SteeringLinkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm	1	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Tires › Tread/belt
CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT NORMAL SPEED PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED. HOWEVER, TIRE STAYED INFLATED. *AK
Jul 30, 2003
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. UPON TRYING TO START IT AGAIN, IT WILL NOT START UNLESS IT IS JUMPED STARTED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED AS OF YET. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Apr 23, 2002
Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
REAL WHEELS CAN COME OFF VERY EASILY BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING TO HOLD LUGS: NUTS ON. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER SEVERAL YEARS AGO FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Dec 1, 2001
Seat belts › Front › Webbing
STETCHING THAT HOLD BOTH SHOULDER HARNESS WEBBING TOGETHER HAVE WEATHERED AND FALLEN APART. I WOULD GUESS THAT THERE SHOULD BE OTHER SIMILAR CASES DUE THE POSITION AND THE UV/ SUN CONTAMINATION ON THE TREADS ( THE THREADS ARE COTTON AND NOT NYLON). *AK
May 8, 2001
Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studsCrash
THE SPINDLE NUT OF RIGHT REAR WHEEL LOOSE AND THE WHEEL DROP OUT.
May 22, 1999
Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE & HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM REAR RIGHT WHEEL. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED BY MECHANIC SPINDLE KNUCKLE HAD FALLEN OUT. THE PROBLEM IS REPAIRABLE.*AK
May 22, 1999
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY ENGANGED IN THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER REPLACED THE BUCKLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Sep 9, 1999
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
SEAT BELT WILL NOTSTAY BUCKLED IN. *AK
Jul 28, 1999

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

SEAT BELT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTIONClosedLed to recall 95V103011
There is no summary currently available
PE95013 · opened Feb 23, 1995 · closed Jul 28, 1995