Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1993 Ford Festiva
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Seat Belts
729.2%
Median failure at 118,321 miles
Suspension
625.0%
Median failure at 113,314 miles
Tires
312.5%
Transmission & Drivetrain
312.5%
Fuel & Propulsion
28.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
14.2%
Electrical System
14.2%
Engine & Cooling
14.2%
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.
Apr 1995peak 4Dec 2007
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 118,321 milesVirginia Beach, VA1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
!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 EVIDENCE OF STICHING ABOUT TO BRAKE AND/OR LOOSE. PASSENGER SUFFERED BACK INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10100809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 113,628 milesSeymour, WI
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD FESTIVA. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL SUSTAINED A DENT IN THE METAL COVERING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT CONTROL ARM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE REPAIR. SOON AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, HE LEARNED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96E017000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT:CONTROL ARM). THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,628. UPDATED 02-14-08 *BF UPDATED 02/14/08
NHTSA complaint #10212325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesAppleton, WI
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE LEFT FRONT DOUBLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY FELL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED BOTH CONTROL ARMS, BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS, AND THE LEFT AXLE SEAL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 96E017000 REGARDING THE SUSPENSION.*AK UPDATED 02/07/06.
NHTSA complaint #10147116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD FIESTIVA . THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COULD CATCH ON FIRE. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE DEALER SHOULD MAKE THESE PARTS AGAIN SO THIS PROBLEM COULD BE FIXED.*AK 11/02/05.
NHTSA complaint #10139708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,321 milesVirginia Beach, VA1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
!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 EVIDENCE OF STICHING ABOUT TO BRAKE AND/OR LOOSE. PASSENGER SUFFERED BACK INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10100809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tallmadge, OH
TIRES
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)
NHTSA complaint #564298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tallmadge, OH
TIRES
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)
NHTSA complaint #564298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
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. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT AN ASTUTE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET THIS CAR UNDER CONTROL WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. WE THOUGHT WE SHOULD ADVISE YOU IN THE EVENT THERE HAVE BEEN ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #726128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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
NHTSA complaint #709039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LA Crosse, WI
SEAT BELTS
WHEN EVER THE SEAT BELTS ARE IN USE & INDIVIDUAL WOULD MOVE, THE BELTS WOULD LOCK UP. ALWAYS HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING. SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN ONLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #840967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upper Malboro, MD
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
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.
NHTSA complaint #808418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Muscatine, IA
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THERE IS NO TENSION ON DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S LAP BELTS, MAKING THEM USELESS.
NHTSA complaint #809669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville, OH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM STRIPPED, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #512235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville, OH
SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S TRACK MOVING SEAT BELT JAMS IN BELTED POSITION TRAPPING DRIVER IN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #512235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville, OH
SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER'S AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT STICKS AND IN ORDER TO UNDO THE SEAT BELT, THE EMERGENCY RELEASE HAS TO BE USED.
NHTSA complaint #805340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakeland, FL
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT END MISALIGNED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO ONE SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #511011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fowlerville, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
WHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES HAVE HIGH READINGS.
NHTSA complaint #509570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fowlerville, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES HAVE HIGH READINGS.
NHTSA complaint #509570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albion, MI
SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE
ON THREE OCCASIONS THE WHEEL BEARING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WENT OUT. TT
NHTSA complaint #975669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION TOTALLY FAILED. TT
NHTSA complaint #970723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Neoga, 00
SEAT BELTS
INTERMITTENT AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILURES. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #482247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.