1989 FORD FESTIVA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
54
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
1
Service Bulletin
3
Investigations
Overview of the 1989 FORD FESTIVA
The 1989 FORD FESTIVA has received a total of 54 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly (33 complaints), Electrical Systemignitionswitch (5 complaints), and Seat Beltsfrontanchorage (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 1989 FORD FESTIVA
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1989 FORD FESTIVA, potentially affecting up to 265,094 vehicles.
Recall 96E017000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
| 94 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 95V103011 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
| 265,000 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1989 FORD FESTIVA
54 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1989 FORD FESTIVA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignitionswitch | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsfrontanchorage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsrearother | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignition | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsfrontretractor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsfrontwebbing | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
VEHICLE JUST STOPPED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER SAID THAT VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE, THEN IT JUST QUIT. *AK
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.
THE LIGHTING SYSTEM SHORTED OUT, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK *YC
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
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
Safety Rating for the 1989 FORD FESTIVA
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1989 FORD FESTIVA in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1989 FORD FESTIVA
Ford Motor Company has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 1989 FORD FESTIVA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
962516 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
AXKE LEAKS - FLUID LEAKS FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE AT AXLE SHAFTS - NEW DESIGN REPLACEMENT CV JOINT BOOTS. *TW
NHTSA Investigations for the 1989 FORD FESTIVA
NHTSA has opened 3 investigations into potential safety defects in the 1989 FORD FESTIVA.
Investigation PE95013 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Closed
Opened:
SEAT BELT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION
Other Model Years of the FORD FESTIVA
- 1984 FORD FESTIVA — 1 complaint
- 1988 FORD FESTIVA — 52 complaints
- 1989 FORD FESTIVA (current)
- 1990 FORD FESTIVA — 22 complaints
- 1991 FORD FESTIVA — 22 complaints
- 1992 FORD FESTIVA — 21 complaints
- 1993 FORD FESTIVA — 24 complaints
- 1994 FORD FESTIVA — 2 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints