RoadVitals

1991 Ford Festiva

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
21
Latest Nov 5, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jun 24, 1996
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 21 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Ford Festiva, most frequently naming the seat belts, brakes and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 21 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts1047.6%
  • Brakes419.0%
  • Fuel system14.8%
  • Exterior lighting14.8%
  • Other / unspecified14.8%
  • Suspension14.8%
  • Body & structure14.8%
  • Transmission14.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
96E017000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

Jun 24, 1996
94 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: MOOG WILL REPLACE THE INCORRECTLY PACKAGED ASSEMBLIES WITH CORRECT BALL JOINT/CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES.
MOOG AUTOMOTIVEView on NHTSA.gov
95V103011

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Jun 27, 1995
265,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE95013ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SEAT BELT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION

Opened Feb 23, 1995
Closed Jul 28, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYLed to recall 95V103011

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 21
Seat belts
Filed Nov 5, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD FESTIVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO WORK. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 095V103011 (SEAT BELTS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID
10788719
Incident
Jun 27, 1995
Mileage
135,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 20, 2014

RIDES EXTREMELY ROUGH, LIKE IT HAS NO SHOCKS! *TR

NHTSA ID
10659870
Incident
Feb 4, 2014
Mileage
200,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Nov 20, 2014

DRIVER SEAT, SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. IT IS STUCK IN THE WINDOW AND WILL NOT COME DOWN! *TR

NHTSA ID
10659863
Incident
Feb 4, 2014
Mileage
200,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Aug 15, 2003

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT STOPPED WORKING, BECAUSE THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK *PH *JB

NHTSA ID
8010665
Incident
May 25, 2002
Mileage
62,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 30, 2000
Crash reported

THREADING OF SHOULDER HARNESS BROKE.

NHTSA ID
723374
Incident
May 17, 2000
Seat belts
Filed May 18, 2000
Crash reported

SHOULDER BELT BROKE AT STITCHING. *AK

NHTSA ID
722868
Incident
May 17, 2000
Seat belts
Filed Mar 22, 2000

DRIVER'S SIDE ELETRONIC SEATBELT DOES NOT AUTOMATICIALLY LOCK/UNLOCK. I HAVE TO TUG ON IT TO START THE MOTOR. WORKS BETTER IN WARM CLIMATE. CALLED FREEDOM FORD IN HAMPTON, VIRGINIA AND WAS TOLD NOT COVERED. VEHICLE HAD 50K MILES ON IT THEN. TWO YEARS LATER, BELT GETTING WORSE, AND NOW I DRIVE IT W/OUT BELT IN CLIP DUE TO TRACK NOT WANTING TO SLIDE BELT BACK TO RESTRAIN. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED, AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS TO BE FIXED. I GOT A $350 ESTIMATE TO FIX IT. DIDN'T KNOW YOU HAD TO PAY FOR SAFETY... VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE. *AK

NHTSA ID
720458
Incident
May 1, 1995
Brakes
Filed Feb 11, 1998

EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE CONSTANTLY LOCKS UP/FREEZES DUE TO POOR DESIGN. *AK

NHTSA ID
524380

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01156

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

0015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

99222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

99196

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

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Festiva by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1994100—
1993201036.9
1992141050.0
1991Viewing212159.3
1990213155.0
1989472364.8
1988442158.1
1987000—
1986000—
1984100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.