1990 FORD FESTIVA

3 recalls, 22 complaints - 21 TSBs

96E017000 Jun 24, 1996
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
MOOG WILL REPLACE THE INCORRECTLY PACKAGED ASSEMBLIES WITH CORRECT BALL JOINT/CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES.
94 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: MOOG AUTOMOTIVE
95V103011 Jun 27, 1995
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
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 SUR... Read more
265,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
90V045000 Mar 8, 1990
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
Defect Description
THE "FASTEN SEAT BELTS" WARNING LIGHTS MAY NOT WORK WHEN THE IGNITION IS SWITCHED TO THE "ON" POSITION DURING COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.
Consequence
OCCUPANTS WOULD NOT RECEIVE THIS WARNING TO USE SAFETY BELTS AND CARS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 208.
Remedy
FORD WILL REPLACE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS IN THE AFFECTED CARS.
268 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Complaint Statistics

22 total complaints 1 crashes 1 fires

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY6
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH2
POWER TRAIN1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE1
SEAT BELTS1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT Jul 30, 2003
CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT NORMAL SPEED PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED. HOWEVER, TIRE STAYED INFLATED. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Apr 23, 2002
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
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS Dec 21, 2001
Incident date: Dec 1, 2001
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
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING May 15, 2001
Incident date: May 8, 2001
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
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS Aug 21, 2000
Incident date: May 22, 1999
THE SPINDLE NUT OF RIGHT REAR WHEEL LOOSE AND THE WHEEL DROP OUT.
Crash
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM Jul 5, 2000
Incident date: May 22, 1999
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
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Sep 9, 1999
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
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Jul 28, 1999
SEAT BELT WILL NOTSTAY BUCKLED IN. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH May 4, 1999
Incident date: Nov 1, 1993
DURING COLD WEATHER, NONE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WORKS. SIMILAR TO WHAT'S DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 90V045000, BUT THE WHOLE PANEL IS INOPERATIVE. RECURRING PROBLEM SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER Mar 16, 1999
Incident date: Mar 1, 1999
STRUCTURAL FAILURE TO DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOUNT. DRIVER SIDE NOW HAS NO WINDSHIELD WIPER MECHANISM.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS Dec 7, 1998
Incident date: Nov 5, 1998
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET THE WHEEL CAME OFF THE AUTOMOBILE DUE TO LUGS:NUTS AND BOLTS BREAKING OFF. CONSUMER HAD TO RUN DOWN THE STREET TO CATCH IT. CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT REAR SPINDLE DUST COVER PAN, WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK *ML
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Nov 5, 1996
Incident date: Feb 1, 1993
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, UNDER THE HOOD, ELECTRICAL SHORT, VEHICLE WAS PARKED, FAILURE OF IGNITION SWITCH. *AK *SLC
Fire
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Jul 2, 1996
Incident date: Jul 8, 1995
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS DOES NOT RETRACT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR May 7, 1996
Incident date: Jan 1, 1996
FRONT SEAT BELTS; PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT RETRACT. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY May 7, 1996
TAKATA BELT BUCKLE RECALL; KIRK FORD HANCOCK MD. GAVE OWNER HARD TIME W/APPOINTMENT AND REPLACED PASSENGER BUCKLE FROM JUNK YARD. DEALER NOT AWARE OF RECALL.*AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Apr 29, 1996
Incident date: Apr 29, 1996
THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO HANDLE THE RECALL FOR SEA TBELT BUCKLES. PLEADE DESCRIBE. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Apr 29, 1996
Incident date: Apr 29, 1996
THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO HANDLE THE RECALL FOR SEA TBELT BUCKLES. PLEADE DESCRIBE. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS Mar 14, 1996
Incident date: Jan 2, 1996
BRAKE SHOE LINING SEPARATED FROM BRAKE SHOES. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Jan 3, 1996
Incident date: Dec 1, 1995
RECALL RELATED, 95V103011, INTERIOR SEAT BELT BUCKLE, IN FOR REPAIR BUCKLE WILL NOT STAY LATCHED. TT
SEAT BELTS Aug 28, 1995
Incident date: Aug 28, 1995
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ALMOST CHOKED PERSON THAT WAS SITTING ON THAT SIDE . TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Jun 19, 1995
Incident date: Jun 18, 1995
CONSUMER WENT TO PUT CHILD SEAT IN BACK SEAT OF CAR AND THE REAR SEAT BELT BROKEN. TT
POWER TRAIN Apr 18, 1995
Incident date: Apr 1, 1995
VEHICLE HAD A SPEEDOMETER PROBLEM WHEN NEW, PROBLEM CONTINUED DUE TO AN INCORRECT ANALYSIS, WHICH LED TO THE SPEDDOMETER BREAKING. TT

EPA Fuel Economy, 1990 FORD FESTIVA

Trim / Engine City MPG Highway MPG Combined MPG Fuel Type Annual Fuel Cost
1.3L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 27.0 30.0 28.0 Regular $2,200
1.3L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 30.0 37.0 33.0 Regular $1,850

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Subcompact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1990 FORD FESTIVA

21 manufacturer communications from 20 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC2
103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER2
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER2
131000 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD1
105200 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT1
354600 EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:WRECKER AND WHEEL LIFT DEVICES1
01157 Aug 6, 2001
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
01156 Aug 6, 2001
138600 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
0015 Jan 10, 2000
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
99222 Oct 18, 1999
114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT
99196 Sep 20, 1999
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT
99152 Jul 26, 1999
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT
99816 May 3, 1999
061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
FORD MOTOR COMPANY NOW RECOMMENDS SAE 5W-30 VISCOSITY GRADE FOR SERVICING ANY FORD GASOLINE-POWERED VEHICLE REGARDLESS OF MODEL YEAR. *TT
98246 Dec 7, 1998
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC
9888 Apr 27, 1998
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC
9852 Apr 13, 1998
190000 TIRES
INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC
9864 Mar 30, 1998
063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT
985A12 Mar 18, 1998
354600 EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:WRECKER AND WHEEL LIFT DEVICES
RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES FOR TOWING BEHIND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. *TT
9848 Mar 2, 1998
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
ANNOUNCING THE FORD OEM AIR CONDITIONING RETROFIT KIT AVAILABILITY. *YC
9768 Mar 17, 1997
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FUEL ECONOMY- CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS VERSUS VEHICLE USAGE. *JD
97511 Mar 3, 1997
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD
962612 Dec 16, 1996
103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW
962516 Dec 2, 1996
105200 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
AXKE LEAKS - FLUID LEAKS FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE AT AXLE SHAFTS - NEW DESIGN REPLACEMENT CV JOINT BOOTS. *TW
96249 Nov 18, 1996
103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
TORQUE CONVERTER - LEAK TEST PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TW
96221 Oct 21, 1996
131000 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW
9562 Mar 1, 1995
034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
ROUGHNESS CONCERN DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. *TW
9562 Mar 1, 1995
034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
UNKNOWN

NHTSA Safety Investigations, FORD FESTIVA

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE95013 Opened: Feb 23, 1995 , Closed: Jul 28, 1995
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1988
SEAT BELT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION
There is no summary currently available
PE90083 Opened: May 25, 1990 , Closed: Sep 27, 1990
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1989
SEAT SEPARATION
There is no summary currently available
PE89139 Opened: Jul 6, 1989 , Closed: Oct 31, 1989
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1989
REAR SAFETY BELT
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FORD FESTIVA - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the FORD FESTIVA across all model years (1988, 1993).

11 Total Recalls
201 Total Complaints
3 Investigations
14 Reported Crashes
17 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

FORD FESTIVA - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
1994 0 2 View
1993 1 24 View
1992 1 21 View
1991 2 22 View
1990 (current) 3 22
1989 2 54 View
1988 2 52 View
1984 0 1 View

Other FORD Models

Model Recalls Complaints
MUSTANG 1,104 11,600 View
RANGER 928 10,371 View
F-350 SD 776 2,363 View
F-450 SD 692 624 View
F-150 692 46,142 View
F-250 SD 638 3,635 View
EXPLORER 624 42,549 View
F-550 SD 578 603 View