The 1990 Ford Festiva has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 265,268 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS95V1030111995-06-27265,000 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 INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THAT LATCH IS…
SEAT BELTS90V0450001990-03-08268 affected
Defect
THE "FASTEN SEAT BELTS" WARNING LIGHTS MAY NOT WORK WHEN THE IGNITION IS SWITCHED TO THE "ON" POSITION DURING COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.
Consequence
OCCUPANTS WOULD NOT RECEIVE THIS WARNING TO USE SAFETY BELTS AND CARS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 208.
Remedy
FORD WILL REPLACE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS IN THE AFFECTED CARS.
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
6
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
3
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
2
1fires
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1
POWER TRAIN
1
SEAT BELTS
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
1
Total complaints22
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Real wheels can come off very easily because there is nothing to hold lugs: nuts on. Consumer contacted dealer several years ago for this problem. Please provide further details.*ak”
“Stetching that hold both shoulder harness webbing together have weathered and fallen apart. I would guess that there should be other similar cases due the position and the uv/ sun contamination on the treads ( the threads are cotton and not nylon). *ak”
“Was driving vehicle & heard a noise coming from rear right wheel. Took to dealer & informed by mechanic spindle knuckle had fallen out. The problem is repairable.*ak”
“The spindle nut of right rear wheel loose and the wheel drop out.”
“Structural failure to driver side windshield wiper mount. Driver side now has no windshield wiper mechanism.”
“While driving down the street the wheel came off the automobile due to lugs:nuts and bolts breaking off. Consumer had to run down the street to catch it. Caused damage to the left rear spindle dust cover pan, which had to be replaced. *ak *ml”
“The dealership is refusing to handle the recall for sea tbelt buckles. Pleade describe. *ak”
“The dealership is refusing to handle the recall for sea tbelt buckles. Pleade describe. *ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE95013 Opened 1995-02-23 · closed 1995-07-28
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1990 Ford Festiva as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.