1990 Ford Festiva Problems
- Complaints
- 21filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 33 mpgcombined, 1.3L 4-cyl FWD · 30 city / 37 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Ford Festiva (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1990 Ford Festiva. The part named most often is seat belts, with 10 complaints (48% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and wheels (3). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the buckle assembly and 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts10 48%
- Electrical system3 14%
- Wheels3 14%
- Brakes1 4.8%
- Steering1 4.8%
- Tires1 4.8%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “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).”
NHTSA complaint #745186, filed 2001-05Electrical system: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #8008422, filed 2002-04Wheels: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #831940, filed 1998-12Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 Ford Festiva version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Festiva FWD | 1.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 30 | 37 | 33 | $2,050 |
| Festiva FWD | 1.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 27 | 30 | 28 | $2,400 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 95V103011Jun 27, 1995Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Ford Festiva 1988–1991, Mercury Tracer 1987–1989
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.
- 90V045000Mar 8, 1990Seat belts › Front › Warning light/devicesCovers: Ford Festiva 1990
The "fasten seat belts" warning lights may not work when the ignition is switched to the "on" position during cold ambient temperatures.
Recall details for the 1990 Ford Festiva → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE95013Seat belt failure or malfunctionClosed · Feb 23, 1995
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 Ford Festiva.
Other model years of the Ford Festiva
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 20 | 113,628 | 0 | — | 33 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 14 | 203,500 | 0 | — | 33 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 21 | 167,500 | 1 | — | 33 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 21 | — | 2 | — | 33 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 47 | — | 1 | — | 34 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 44 | — | 1 | — | 35 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Ford Festiva have?
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1990 Ford Festiva as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Ford Festiva is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 10 complaints (48% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.
Has the 1990 Ford Festiva been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Ford Festiva get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Ford Festiva (Festiva, 1.3L 4-cyl) at 33 mpg combined, 30 city and 37 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.