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: 3 of 20 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 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. 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.
0 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
20 reports
113,628 miles · Dec 19, 2007
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD FESTIVA. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL SUSTAINED A DENT IN THE METAL COVERING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT CONTROL ARM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE REPAIR. SOON AFTER THE REP…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD FESTIVA. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL SUSTAINED A DENT IN THE METAL COVERING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT CONTROL ARM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE REPAIR. SOON AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, HE LEARNED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96E017000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT:CONTROL ARM). THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,628. UPDATED 02-14-08 *BF UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10212325
113,000 miles · Jan 6, 2006
Suspension
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE LEFT FRONT DOUBLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY FELL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER …
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE LEFT FRONT DOUBLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY FELL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED BOTH CONTROL ARMS, BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS, AND THE LEFT AXLE SEAL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 96E017000 REGARDING THE SUSPENSION.*AK UPDATED 02/07/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10147116
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2005
Electrical System
DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD FIESTIVA . THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COULD CATCH ON FIRE. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE DEALER SHOULD MAKE THESE PARTS AGAIN SO THIS PROBLEM COULD BE FIXED.*AK 11/02/05. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10139708
118,321 miles · Nov 30, 2004
Seat BeltsInjury
!993 FORD FESTIVA ENVOLVED IN A NEAR MISS/ AVOIDANCE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH CUT INTO MY LANE. GOING 45 MPH AND HIT CURB A COUPLE OF TIMES. THE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT BROKE APART WHERE ATTACHES TO MOVING DOOR ATTACHEMENT. THE STITCHING BROKE COMPLETLY APART. DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF STICHING ABOUT TO BRAKE …
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!993 FORD FESTIVA ENVOLVED IN A NEAR MISS/ AVOIDANCE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH CUT INTO MY LANE. GOING 45 MPH AND HIT CURB A COUPLE OF TIMES. THE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT BROKE APART WHERE ATTACHES TO MOVING DOOR ATTACHEMENT. THE STITCHING BROKE COMPLETLY APART. DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF STICHING ABOUT TO BRAKE AND/OR LOOSE. PASSENGER SUFFERED BACK INJURY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10100809
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2002
Tires
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE, HE THEN PULLED OVER AND SAW NOT ONLY DID HE HAVE ONE FLAT TIRE, BUT THE OTHER FRONT TIRE WAS ALSO FLAT, CAUSE UNKNOWN, NO TIRE INFO GIVEN.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT# 10-91-682)*JB
NHTSA ODI #564298
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2000
Suspension
THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLT ON ONE SIDE OF THIS FORD FESTIVA FELL OUT (IT DIDN'T BREAK, BUT BACKED ITSELF OUT). WE HAVE 6 OTHER FESTIVAS ('91-'93) WHICH WE CHECKED, BUT NONE OF THEM HAD THE LOOSE BOLT - NEVERTHELESS, WE REPLACED ALL THESE BOLTS IN ALL 7 CARS, AND TORQUED THEM TO THE FACTORY SETTING. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT …
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THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLT ON ONE SIDE OF THIS FORD FESTIVA FELL OUT (IT DIDN'T BREAK, BUT BACKED ITSELF OUT). WE HAVE 6 OTHER FESTIVAS ('91-'93) WHICH WE CHECKED, BUT NONE OF THEM HAD THE LOOSE BOLT - NEVERTHELESS, WE REPLACED ALL THESE BOLTS IN ALL 7 CARS, AND TORQUED THEM TO THE FACTORY SETTING. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT AN ASTUTE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET THIS CAR UNDER CONTROL WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. WE THOUGHT WE SHOULD ADVISE YOU IN THE EVENT THERE HAVE BEEN ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #726128
Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 1999
Power Train
SINCE I PURCHASED THIS AUTO IN MAR 1996, THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS HAD TO BE REBUILDED. THREE REBUILDED TRANSMISSIONS AND LESS THAN 25,000 MILES IN THREE YRS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME AND CONTACT ME SOON. THANKS D.V. WILLIAMS
NHTSA ODI #709039
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 1999
Seat Belts
WHEN EVER THE SEAT BELTS ARE IN USE & INDIVIDUAL WOULD MOVE, THE BELTS WOULD LOCK UP. ALWAYS HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING. SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN ONLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
NHTSA ODI #840967
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 1997
Fuel System, Gasoline
GAS TANK FILLER NECK HAD RUSTED. HAD TANK REPLACED BUT PROBLEM REEMERGED; RUSTED OUT AT SAME EXACT PLACE AS FIRST TIME/REPLACED GAS TANK FILLER NECK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #808418
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 1997
Seat Belts
THERE IS NO TENSION ON DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S LAP BELTS, MAKING THEM USELESS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #809669
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1993 Ford Festiva Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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