1992 Ford Festiva: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1992 Ford Festiva: 0 recalls, 14 owner complaints and up to 33 mpg combined.
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Recalls
0 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.
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. 3 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine & cooling (3): the most common themes are fire / smoke (2).
- Exterior lights (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Seat belts (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1992 Ford Festiva has 14 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 5 Festiva model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 15). Complaints peaked in 1996 (5 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 203,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (21 complaints, 1 recalls), 1993 (20 complaints, 0 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 1992 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.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 1992 Ford Festiva have any recalls?
NHTSA doesn't list any vehicle recalls for the 1992 Ford Festiva, but 1 equipment or tire recalls may apply. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.
What are the most common 1992 Ford Festiva problems?
Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (4), engine & cooling (3), exterior lights (2).
What gas mileage does the 1992 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 1992 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.