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1989 Ford Festiva

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1989 Ford Festiva do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 20.5.

About this comparison →
47Owner complaints

Model-year median: 20.5

1Recall campaigns

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3Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
44
198847
198921
199021
199114
1992
Compare all Festiva years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Seat Belts
38Electrical System
6Engine And Engine Cooling
3Equipment
1Exterior Lighting
1
All reported categories
Fuel System, Gasoline
1Suspension
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 47 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Seat Belts. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports6 fire reports0 injury reports

Equipment complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 1999
Electrical SystemEquipmentFire

IGNITION SWITCH OVERHEATS AND SMOKES. BLOWER FAN ALSO QUITS AT FREQUENT INTERVALS. SMOKE CAME UP OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AT ONE POINT. THERE IS A PERSISTANT PROBLEM WITH THIS WHEN I TRY TO RUN THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS FIXED WITH A NEW UPDATED SWITCH BEFORE IT BURNS MY CAR AND HOUSE UP. MY FORD DEA…

Read full complaint

IGNITION SWITCH OVERHEATS AND SMOKES. BLOWER FAN ALSO QUITS AT FREQUENT INTERVALS. SMOKE CAME UP OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AT ONE POINT. THERE IS A PERSISTANT PROBLEM WITH THIS WHEN I TRY TO RUN THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS FIXED WITH A NEW UPDATED SWITCH BEFORE IT BURNS MY CAR AND HOUSE UP. MY FORD DEALERSHIP IS NOT THE FRIENDLY KIND THAT WANTS TO LISTEN TO YOUR PROBLEMS. SO PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #702521

Official recalls

1

95V103011 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Jun 27, 1995

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 & remedy

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 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

PE95013 · Seat Belt Failure Or Malfunction

Opened Feb 23, 1995 · Closed Jul 28, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

There is no summary currently available

PE90083 · Seat Separation

Opened May 25, 1990 · Closed Sep 27, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats

There is no summary currently available

PE89139 · Rear Safety Belt

Opened Jul 6, 1989 · Closed Oct 31, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:rear/other

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