VehicleVerdict

1991 Ford Festiva problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 22 complaints on file for the 1991 Ford Festiva — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

22

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Festiva years?

Festiva NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted54 complaints1984: 1 complaints1988: 52 complaints1989: 54 complaints1990: 22 complaints1991: 22 complaints1992: 21 complaints1993: 24 complaints1994: 2 complaints
Festiva NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Festiva years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Ford Festiva problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts1150%
Brakes418%
Fuel System15%
Lighting15%
Electrical System15%
Body & Structure15%
Suspension15%
Tires & Wheels15%
Transmission15%

Does the 1991 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.

“INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT LAST YEAR, DRIVERS PASSIVE RESTRAINT WILL EITHER NOT COMPLETE CYCLE, TIGHTEN OR NOT RESTRAIN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · crash

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 27, 1996

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System

“VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER PARKED FOR (10) MINUTES W/CAUSE STATED BY CIRCLEVILLE CITY FIRE DEPT BEING ELECTRICAL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

1991 Ford Festiva — common questions

Is the 1991 Ford Festiva reliable?

The record is thin — 22 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1991 Festiva problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (11 complaints), brakes (4 complaints), electrical system (1 complaints).

Does the 1991 Ford Festiva have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Ford Festiva. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Ford Festiva under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.