VehicleVerdict

1989 Ford Festiva problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 54 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.5 times the median Festiva year — the 1989 model ranks #1 of 8 Festiva years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: seat belts issues account for 74% of all reports (40 of 54), far ahead of electrical system at 7.

54

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

3

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other Festiva years?

Festiva NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted54 complaints1984: 1 complaints1988: 52 complaints1989: 54 complaints1990: 22 complaints1991: 22 complaints1992: 21 complaints1993: 24 complaints1994: 2 complaints
Festiva NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Festiva years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Ford Festiva problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts4074%
Electrical System713%
Engine36%
Suspension12%
Fuel System12%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)12%
Lighting12%

Does the 1989 Ford Festiva have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

96E017000SuspensionJune 24, 1996 · 94 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

MOOG WILL REPLACE THE INCORRECTLY PACKAGED ASSEMBLIES WITH CORRECT BALL JOINT/CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES.

95V103011Seat BeltsJune 27, 1995 · 265,000 units

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.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR THE SEAT BELT RECALL, AND DEALER ORDERED THE WRONG BUCKLES. NOW CONSUMER HAS TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER WEEK OR MORE BEFORE DEALER COULD ORDER THE RIGHT BUCKLES. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · March 4, 1997

“IGNITION SWITCH OVERHEATS AND SMOKES. BLOWER FAN ALSO QUITS AT FREQUENT INTERVALS. SMOKE CAME UP OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AT ONE POINT. THERE IS A PERSISTANT PROBLEM WITH THIS WHEN I TRY TO RUN THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS FIXED WITH A NEW UPDATED SWITCH BEFORE IT BURNS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 10, 1998 · fire

1989 Ford Festiva — common questions

Is the 1989 Ford Festiva reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 54 complaints put the 1989 model at #1 of 8 Festiva years. It is one of the Festiva years to avoid.

What are the most common 1989 Festiva problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (40 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints), engine (3 complaints).

Does the 1989 Ford Festiva have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Ford Festiva. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 Ford Festiva under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Festiva years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Festiva years to avoid are 1989, 1988. The cleanest record among Festiva years belongs to 1984.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.