1991 Ford Festiva: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 21 owner complaints on record; most reports concern seat belts.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 1996
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Coming out of the garage into the driveway adjusted the emergency parking brake lever and the cable broke at the right rear wheel assembly and now the emergencey parking brake does not work. Pleaes give more details. *ak”Owner report · Parking Brake · Dec 1996
“Driving vehicle down main street, another vehicle pulled out in front, vehicle was hit head-on, seatbelts did not restrain passenger. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 1996
“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.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 1995
Show 4 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 1995
“Involved in accident last year, drivers passive restraint will either not complete cycle, tighten or not restrain. Please describe details. Tt”Owner report · Seat Belts
“After auto had been driven and parked approx 3 hrs-it self ignited-no one was injured because auto was parked for the night. Tt”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline
“Vehicle caught fire after parked for (10) minutes w/cause stated by circleville city fire dept being electrical. Please describe details. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: MOOG WILL REPLACE THE INCORRECTLY PACKAGED ASSEMBLIES WITH CORRECT BALL JOINT/CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1991 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Festiva by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1991 Ford Festiva reliable?
NHTSA has 21 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Ford Festiva. The most complained-about area is seat belts.
Does the 1991 Ford Festiva have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:control arm. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.