NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Buckle Assembly
2051.3%
Retractor
512.8%
Anchorage
512.8%
Switch
37.7%
Wiring
25.1%
Recliner
25.1%
Multiple Axle
12.6%
Axle Shaft
12.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 9Sep 2002
NHTSA investigations into the 1988 Ford Festiva
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE95013Opened 23 Feb 1995Closed 28 Jul 1995SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION
Recalls on the 1988 Ford Festiva
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
96E017000
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
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.
Risk: 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.
95V103011
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #802522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
STARTER CAUGHT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #504818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brandon, MSFire
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
NO PARTS AVAILABLE AND THE REFUSAL OF A RENTAL CAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #984049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Midland, MICrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
VEHICLE IMPROPERLY PASSED ANOTHER VEHICLE, WEATHER WAS FOGGY, TRUCK WAS COMING IN ANOTHER DIRECTION, VEHICLE HIT TRUCK, SEAT BELT STRAP BROKE UPON IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #983671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Avondale, AZ
TIRES
JUNE, 2001, TIRE #NPC8 JPHR 169 ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BLEW OUT WHILE I WAS DOING ABOUT 70 MPH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT (COOL OUT). THE CAR IMMEDIATELY WENT SIDEWAYS TO THE ROAD, IN THE ONCOMING LANE. I BARELY GOT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND BACK TO MY SIDE OF THE ROAD ONLY A COUPLE OF SECONDS BEFORE AN ONCOMING CAR WHIZZED BY. A COUPLE OF SECONDS LATER, OR LESS DRIVING SKILL, AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THIS WAS ONE OF A SET OF FOUR NEW TIRES I GOT FROM THE LOCAL GOODYEAR STORE. I THOUGHT IT WAS "JUST A BLOWOUT" BUT I KEPT THE TIRE AS A PRECAUTION. I STILL HAVE THE TIRE. IF I FIND OUT THAT GOODYEAR KNEW OF THE DEFECT IN THESE TIRES BEFORE JUNE, 2001, AND DID NOT WARN ME, I AM GOING TO BE UPSET, BECAUSE IT ALLMOST KILLED ME. THE SECOND TIRE THAT BLEW WAS THE SAME NUMBER: NPC8 JPHR 169. IT BLEW OUT IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF SEPT. 1, 2002, AT OVER 7000 FT (COOL TEMP). SPEED WAS ABOUT 50 MPH. THIS BLOWOUT WAS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, AND WAS UNEVENTFUL, BUT SINCE IT WAS ONE OF THE SET OF FOUR THAT I HAD PURCHASED NEW FROM THE LOCAL GOODYEAR STORE, I BECAME SUSPICIOUS. I BECAME MORE SUSPICIOUS WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT THE TIRE WAS THE SAME NUMBER AS THE OTHER ONE THAT BLEWOUT A YEAR BEFORE. THIS BLOWOUT LEFT ME OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE IN NEW MEXICO WITHOUT A SPARE. I STILL HAVE THIS TIRE. THE OTHER TWO TIRES OF THE SET OF FOUR TIRES HAD THE # NPC8 JPHR 309. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH TIRES BECAUSE OF THE TWO BLOWOUTS. NOT GOODYEARS.
NHTSA complaint #766997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burbank, CA
SEAT BELTS
AFTER TAKING VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE MECHANIC STATED VEHICLE HAD A RECALL ON SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. MANAGER INSISTED THAT CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL, AND REFUSED TO SERVICE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #8012422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oxford, PA
SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH WITHOUT WARNING THE WHEEL CAME OFF, THE MECHANIC STATEED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARING NEEDED REPLACEMENT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8007835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bangor, CA
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
EVERY 3 TO 6 MONTHS I HAVE TO REPLACE THE REAR WHEELBEARINGS ONE OR BOTH SIDES. HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE REAR SPINDLES ON BOTH SIDES TOO. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL. IS THERE ANY THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #739434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kennebunk, ME
SUSPENSION:FRONT
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #715012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baldwin, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
CALIPERS RUSTED DUE TO DESIGN PROBLEMS (LUBRICATION OF THE BUSHINGS). MJS
NHTSA complaint #547149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tinley Park, IL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #707882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Littleton, CO
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTON BROKE, JAMMING BUCKLE. RECALL, NHTSA ID 95V103011. MFG. SAYS MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED, AND WON'T FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #702023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anderson, SC
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SAFETY SEAT BELT FAILED, PRIOR RECALL ITEM, HOWEVER CONSUMER NOT ABLE TO GET RECALL WORK DONE.
NHTSA complaint #531389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Normal, IL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELTS CRACKED PRIOR TO RECALL, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED.
NHTSA complaint #490512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Iberia, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #507775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Iberia, LA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #507775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brimfield, MA
WHEELS
RIGHT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF, DID NOT GIVE AN WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #987073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE PARKED, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING CAUSED THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD TO CATCH ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #806851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden Grove, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ON ONE OCCASION THE BELT TEINSIONER WAS REPLACED AND NOW IT IS LOOSE AGAIN. .
NHTSA complaint #805527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockledge, FL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
CONTACTED DEALERSHIP IN SEPTEMBER STILL NO WORD ON WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE REGARDING SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECALL 95V103011.
NHTSA complaint #805594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boothwyn, PA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
RECALL 95V103011, SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE PARTS WERE ORDERED ON 8-27-96. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. GARNET FORD 215- 358-5600.
NHTSA complaint #805136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glenwood, MN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #505057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.