1990 Ford Festiva: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Ford Festiva: 2 recalls, 21 owner complaints and up to 33 mpg combined.
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Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #90V045000 · 1990 · 268 vehicles
What's wrong: The "fasten seat belts" warning lights May not work when the ignition is switched to the "on" position during cold ambient temperatures.
Why it matters: Occupants would not receive this warning to use safety belts and cars would not comply with fmvss 208.
The fix: Ford will replace instrument clusters in the affected cars.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #95V103011 · 1995 · 265,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash.
The fix: 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…
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Suspension Equipment recall #96E017000 · 1996 · 94 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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 fix: Moog will replace the incorrectly packaged assemblies with correct ball joint/control arm assemblies.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Seat belts (10): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Wheels (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1990 Ford Festiva has 21 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 5 Festiva model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 15). Complaints peaked in 1996 (7 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old. Neighboring years: 1991 (21 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 37 | 33 | Regular |
| 1.3 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 30 | 28 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Ford Festiva.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Ford Festiva have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1990 Ford Festiva, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Ford Festiva problems?
Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are seat belts (10), electrical (3), wheels (3).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Ford Festiva get?
EPA ratings run up to 33 mpg combined (1.3 L, Manual 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Ford Festiva repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.