VehicleVerdict

1993 Ford Festiva problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 24 complaints on file for the 1993 Ford Festiva — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

24

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Festiva years?

Festiva NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted54 complaints1984: 1 complaints1988: 52 complaints1989: 54 complaints1990: 22 complaints1991: 22 complaints1992: 21 complaints1993: 24 complaints1994: 2 complaints
Festiva NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Festiva years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Ford Festiva problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts729%
Suspension625%
Tires & Wheels313%
Transmission313%
Fuel System28%
Visibility & Wipers14%
Engine14%
Electrical System14%

Does the 1993 Ford Festiva have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“!993 FORD FESTIVA ENVOLVED IN A NEAR MISS/ AVOIDANCE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH CUT INTO MY LANE. GOING 45 MPH AND HIT CURB A COUPLE OF TIMES. THE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT BROKE APART WHERE ATTACHES TO MOVING DOOR ATTACHEMENT. THE STITCHING BROKE COMPLETLY APART. DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT SHOWS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · November 30, 2004

“THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLT ON ONE SIDE OF THIS FORD FESTIVA FELL OUT (IT DIDN'T BREAK, BUT BACKED ITSELF OUT). WE HAVE 6 OTHER FESTIVAS ('91-'93) WHICH WE CHECKED, BUT NONE OF THEM HAD THE LOOSE BOLT - NEVERTHELESS, WE REPLACED ALL THESE BOLTS IN ALL 7 CARS, AND TORQUED THEM TO THE FACTORY SETTING.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 11, 2000

“SINCE I PURCHASED THIS AUTO IN MAR 1996, THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS HAD TO BE REBUILDED. THREE REBUILDED TRANSMISSIONS AND LESS THAN 25,000 MILES IN THREE YRS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME AND CONTACT ME SOON. THANKS D.V. WILLIAMS”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 22, 1999

“WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE, HE THEN PULLED OVER AND SAW NOT ONLY DID HE HAVE ONE FLAT TIRE, BUT THE OTHER FRONT TIRE WAS ALSO FLAT, CAUSE UNKNOWN, NO TIRE INFO GIVEN.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT# 10-91-682)*JB ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · November 9, 2001

“GAS TANK FILLER NECK HAD RUSTED. HAD TANK REPLACED BUT PROBLEM REEMERGED; RUSTED OUT AT SAME EXACT PLACE AS FIRST TIME/REPLACED GAS TANK FILLER NECK. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 27, 1995

1993 Ford Festiva — common questions

Is the 1993 Ford Festiva reliable?

The record is thin — 24 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1993 Festiva problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (7 complaints), suspension (6 complaints), transmission (3 complaints).

Does the 1993 Ford Festiva have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1993 Ford Festiva. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.