Ford

Festiva

Subcompact Cars · model years 1988 to 1993

See all 13 Festiva trims All Ford cars

The verdict

Best year: 1993. complaints: 20, below this model's typical 21; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1.

Worst year: 1990. complaints: 21, in line with this model's typical 21; recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Ford Festiva
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
1988	2Gas	34.5	$1,925	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1988
1989	3Gas	34	$1,950	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1989
1990	2Gas	30.5	$2,050	2	21	SEAT BELTS 48%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%, WHEELS 14%
complaints: 21, in line with this model's typical 21 recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 45 of 100, where higher is better.
1991	2Gas	30.5	$2,050	1	21	SEAT BELTS 48%, PARKING BRAKE 10%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 10%
complaints: 21, in line with this model's typical 21 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 63 of 100, where higher is better.
1992	2Gas	30.5	$2,050	0	14	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%, EXTERIOR LIGHTING 11%
complaints: 14, below this model's typical 21 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 80 of 100, where higher is better.
1993	2Gas	30.5	$2,050	0	20	SEAT BELTS 30%, SUSPENSION 26%, POWER TRAIN 13%
complaints: 20, below this model's typical 21 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 80 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1988: 34.5 to 1993: 30.5

Owner complaints1990: 21 to 1993: 20

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Ford Festiva to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.