Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 44 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Seat Belts. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
44 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2002
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 WHIZZ…
Read full complaint
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.*AK
NHTSA ODI #766997
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2002
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. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8012422
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2002
Suspension
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH WITHOUT WARNING THE WHEEL CAME OFF, THE MECHANIC STATEED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARING NEEDED REPLACEMENT. NLM
NHTSA ODI #8007835
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2001
Power Train
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.*AK
NHTSA ODI #739434
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 1999
Suspension
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #715012
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CALIPERS RUSTED DUE TO DESIGN PROBLEMS (LUBRICATION OF THE BUSHINGS). MJS
NHTSA ODI #547149
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 1999
Unknown Or Other
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707882
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 1999
Seat Belts
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 ODI #702023
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 1998
Seat Belts
SAFETY SEAT BELT FAILED, PRIOR RECALL ITEM, HOWEVER CONSUMER NOT ABLE TO GET RECALL WORK DONE.
NHTSA ODI #531389
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 1997
Wheels
RIGHT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF, DID NOT GIVE AN WARNING. *AK
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 & remedy
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 SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE95013 · Seat Belt Failure Or Malfunction
Opened Feb 23, 1995 · Closed Jul 28, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
There is no summary currently available
1988 Ford Festiva Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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