Total Complaints
54 filings
FORD FESTIVA · model year
1989 FORD FESTIVA
54 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1989FORDFESTIVA carries 54 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 8 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1989 FESTIVA is seat belts:front:buckle assembly with 33 filings, followed by electrical system:ignition:switch (5) and seat belts:front:anchorage (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 1989 FESTIVA, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
54
Complaints
1
Crashes
8
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 33 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 5 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20010522ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE JUST STOPPED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER SAID THAT VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE, THEN IT JUST QUIT. *AK
20000905FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WIRING HELD IN AN UNPADDED CLAMP, WHICH RUBBED OFF INSULATION OVER TIME, RESULTED IN A FIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS (LUCKILY) IN FOR OTHER REPAIRS. THE PARTS SUPPLIER MENTIONED THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO A FRIEND OF HIS, BUT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED, AND CAUSED EVEN MORE DAMAGE. THE FIRE STARTED RIGHT UNDER THE CARBURATOR - A SCOURCE OF GASOLINE - AND THEREFORE I CONSIDER THIS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WIRE INSULATION WEARS OFF AND A SHORT CAUSES A FIRE.
19991216FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE LIGHTING SYSTEM SHORTED OUT, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK *YC
19990124FireEQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
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 MY CAR AND HOUSE UP. MY FORD DEALERSHIP IS NOT THE FRIENDLY KIND THAT WANTS TO LISTEN TO YOUR PROBLEMS. SO PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS. *AK
19990124FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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 MY CAR AND HOUSE UP. MY FORD DEALERSHIP IS NOT THE FRIENDLY KIND THAT WANTS TO LISTEN TO YOUR PROBLEMS. SO PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS. *AK
19981020ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION FAILED.
19980917SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT RECALL WORK DENIED DUE TO ORIGINAL INSPECTION REVEALING NO PROBLEM WITH BUCKLES, AFTER INSPECTION BUCKLES FAILED. (QCAW)
19980823SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE REAR SEATBELTS ARE JAMMED AND RED RELEASE BUTTON IS BROKEN.
19971003SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTON CRUMBLED, DEPOSITING FRAGMENTS AND JAMMING THE LOCKING MECHANISM.
19970325SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL.
19970311SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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
19970113CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AND THE DRIVER,S SIDE SHOULDER BELT SNAPPED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
19961231ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
SHORT IN IGNITION SWITCH CAUSES BLOWER MOTOR TO QUIT INTERMITTENTLY, ALSO SMOKES OCCASIONALLY. *DH
19961210SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
WHEEL BEARING AXLE FAILED.
19961114SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS.
19961029SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTON CRUMBLED, JAMMING THE LOCKING MECHANISM PRIOR TO RECALL.
19961017SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE REAR LAP BELTS ARE INOPERATIVE. THEY ARE LOCKED IN PLACE, CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO PULL THEM OUT IN ORDER TO FASTEN A PASSENGER.
19961010SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON BROKE PRIOR TO RECALL.
19961010SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
DIFFICULTY GETTING SEAT BELT RECALL REPAIRS DONE DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.
19960903SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
#95V103011, RECEIVED RECALL ON THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, BROUGHT CAR IN AND DEALER DOESN'T HAVE THE PARTS. PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
Compare 1989FORDFESTIVA to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 8 Open
EA26001Engineering AnalysisOpen
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
PE25020Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Timing Belt Failure
DP25001Defect PetitionOpen
Underbody shields detachment
PE25007Preliminary EvaluationOpen
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
PE25002Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1989 FORD FESTIVA have?▼
The 1989 FORD FESTIVA has 54 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 8 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 FORD FESTIVA?▼
The most-complained component for the 1989 FORD FESTIVA is SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY with 33 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH and SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE.
Is the 1989 FORD FESTIVA safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.