1989 Ford Festiva problems
The Ford Festiva is a subcompact car that was designed and manufactured by Mazda for Ford between 1986 and 2002. Festiva was sold in Japan, the Americas, and Australia. The name "Festiva" is derived from the Spanish word for "festive". It was not related to the similarly sized and named Ford Fiesta, and was not replaced by the Ford Ka, which is smaller.
Designed by Mazda using the DA platform and B series inline-four engines, the Festiva continued the trend of Fords built and designed by Mazda for the Asia-Pacific market such as the Laser and Telstar.
South Korean first generation sales began in 1987 under the name Kia Pride, assembled by Kia under license. Australasia and Europe received the first version between 1987 and 1991 as the "Mazda 121". After 1991, Australasian sales occurred under the "Ford Festiva" name, while European sales continued under the name "Kia Pride". Kia ended production of the Pride in 2000. This ongoing production has been in parallel to the second generation Festiva introduced in 1993, sold as the Ford Aspire in North America and Kia Avella in South Korea and other markets. Although these second generation models were withdrawn in 2000, a third generation was sold between 1996 and 2002 in Japan as a badge-engineered version of the Mazda Demio.
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Common 1989 Ford Festiva problems
The Ford Festiva 1989 is known for a few common problems that owners have reported over the years. These issues include starting problems, rough idling, stalling, and fuel efficiency concerns.
Starting Problems: Some owners have reported difficulties starting their 1989 Ford Festiva, especially during cold or damp weather. This issue may be related to the car's carburetor, which can become less efficient in cold temperatures.
Rough Idling: A rough idle is a common problem with the 1989 Ford Festiva, characterized by inconsistent revving, lower and higher RPMs, and a running roughness during the first few minutes of driving, particularly when the engine is cold. This issue can be caused by various factors, including vacuum switch problems, feedback system issues, or general tune-up items like spark plugs, caps, rotors, and fuel filters.
Stalling: The Festiva 1989 is also known for stalling issues, which can occur while driving under load or when the engine is fully warmed up at high revs on the freeway.
Fuel Efficiency: Another common issue with the 1989 Ford Festiva is poor fuel efficiency, which can result in low gas mileage and frequent stalling.
In summary, the 1989 Ford Festiva is known for several common problems, including starting difficulties, rough idling, stalling, and poor fuel efficiency. These issues can be caused by various factors, including vacuum switch problems, feedback system issues, fuel pump intermittent failures, and faulty oxygen or mass air flow sensors. To address these problems, it is recommended to consult with a mechanic or a specialist who is familiar with the Festiva's specific issues and can provide a proper diagnosis and repair solution.
Is a Ford Festiva a reliable car?
Air-conditioning was an option. The Festiva is generally quite reliable if well serviced, so it's worth checking for a service history. Most should have had a cam belt replacement (110,000 km), or are fast approaching the mileage where they will need one.
What engine is in a 1989 Ford Festiva?
4-cylinder engine
Front-wheel drive puts the combined weight of the engine and transaxle over the driving wheels, which gives Festiva good traction in adverse driving conditions. 1.3 liter overhead- cam 4-cylinder engine provides plenty of power yet achieves impressive fuel economy.
How many miles per gallon does a Ford Festiva get?
Fuel Economy
| City | 30 mpg |
|---|---|
| Highway | 38 mpg |
| Combined | 33 mpg |
What is the fuel consumption of the Ford Festiva?
6.2 to 7.2L/100km
The Ford Festiva currently offers fuel consumption from 6.2 to 7.2L/100km.
Is a Ford Festiva a reliable car?
Air-conditioning was an option. The Festiva is generally quite reliable if well serviced, so it's worth checking for a service history. Most should have had a cam belt replacement (110,000 km), or are fast approaching the mileage where they will need one.
What engine is in a 1989 Ford Festiva?
1.3-liter B3 four-cylinder engine
Ford offered a single 1.3-liter B3 four-cylinder engine and three trim levels: L, L Plus, and LX.
What is the fuel consumption of the Ford Festiva?
6.2 to 7.2L/100km
The Ford Festiva currently offers fuel consumption from 6.2 to 7.2L/100km.
How much horsepower does a 1988 Ford Festiva have?
1988 Ford Festiva is 2 doors Hatchback available in 1 variants MSRP ranges from $5720 to $6302. Ford Festiva offers 58 horsepower with the 4-Speed Manual transmission. It features 4 cylinder 1L NA I4 single overhead cam (SOHC) 8V engine .
1989 Ford Festiva car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Festiva problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Seat belts problems
- Electrical system problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Exterior lighting problems
- Equipment problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1989 Ford Festiva vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1989 Ford Festiva
The NHTSA has received 54 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1989 Ford Festiva. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1989 Ford Festiva vehicles.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-04-01
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VEHICLE JUST STOPPED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER SAID THAT VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE, THEN IT JUST QUIT. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-08-22
- Fire: 1
- VIN: KNJBT06K7K6
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WIRING HELD IN AN UNPADDED CLAMP, WHICH RUBBED OFF INSULATION OVER TIME, RESULTED IN A FIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS (LUCKILY) IN FOR OTHER REPAIRS. THE PARTS SUPPLIER MENTIONED THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO A FRIEND OF HIS, BUT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED, AND CAUSED EVEN MORE DAMAGE. THE FIRE STARTED RIGHT UNDER THE CARBURATOR - A SCOURCE OF GASOLINE - AND THEREFORE I CONSIDER THIS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WIRE INSULATION WEARS OFF AND A SHORT CAUSES A FIRE.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-11-23
- Fire: 1
- VIN: KNJBT06K4K6
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: THE LIGHTING SYSTEM SHORTED OUT, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK *YC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-08-10
- Fire: 1
- VIN: KNJBT06K5K6
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
- Summary: IGNITION SWITCH OVERHEATS AND SMOKES. BLOWER FAN ALSO QUITS AT FREQUENT INTERVALS. SMOKE CAME UP OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AT ONE POINT. THERE IS A PERSISTANT PROBLEM WITH THIS WHEN I TRY TO RUN THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS FIXED WITH A NEW UPDATED SWITCH BEFORE IT BURNS MY CAR AND HOUSE UP. MY FORD DEALERSHIP IS NOT THE FRIENDLY KIND THAT WANTS TO LISTEN TO YOUR PROBLEMS. SO PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-08-22
- VIN: KNJBTO6K4K6
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE REAR SEATBELTS ARE JAMMED AND RED RELEASE BUTTON IS BROKEN.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-05-01
- VIN: KNJBT06HXK6
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELT RECALL WORK DENIED DUE TO ORIGINAL INSPECTION REVEALING NO PROBLEM WITH BUCKLES, AFTER INSPECTION BUCKLES FAILED. (QCAW)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-04-01
- VIN: KNJBT06HXK6
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: IGNITION FAILED.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELT PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTON CRUMBLED, DEPOSITING FRAGMENTS AND JAMMING THE LOCKING MECHANISM.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-03-04
- VIN: KNJBT06H2K6
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR THE SEAT BELT RECALL, AND DEALER ORDERED THE WRONG BUCKLES. NOW CONSUMER HAS TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER WEEK OR MORE BEFORE DEALER COULD ORDER THE RIGHT BUCKLES. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-01-10
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KNJBT06K0K6
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AND THE DRIVER,S SIDE SHOULDER BELT SNAPPED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-05-01
- VIN: KNJBT07H3K6
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: WHEEL BEARING AXLE FAILED.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-04-15
- VIN: KNJBT06H8K6
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE REAR LAP BELTS ARE INOPERATIVE. THEY ARE LOCKED IN PLACE, CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO PULL THEM OUT IN ORDER TO FASTEN A PASSENGER.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: #95V103011, RECEIVED RECALL ON THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, BROUGHT CAR IN AND DEALER DOESN'T HAVE THE PARTS. PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-25
- VIN: KNJBT06K9K6
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-07-30
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: SHORT IN IGNITION SWITCH CAUSES BLOWER MOTOR TO QUIT INTERMITTENTLY, ALSO SMOKES OCCASIONALLY. *DH
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: KNJBT06K4K6
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: OWNER BROUGHT VEHICLE IN TWICE TO REMEDY RECALL, FIRST DLR HAD NO PARTS, SECOND DLR ORDERED WRONG PART, DRIVERS' BELT BUCKLE BROKE, DLR WON'T GIVE LOANER. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: KNJBTO7K3K6
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: RECALL 954103011- WHEN MR. OUTLAW GOT THE VEHICLE BACK THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE STILL WASN'T OPERATING CORRECTLY. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-01
- VIN: KNJBTO6H7K6
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE DEALERSHIP HAS TAKEN TWO MONTHS TO ORDER THE SEATBELT PARTS. THEY STILL HAVE NOT ORDERED IT. RECALL 96V071000. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-07-08
- VIN: KNJBTO6H5K6
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: PART NOT AVAILABLE. DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL HAVE IT. CONTACTED (3) TIMES, 5/24,96, 6/14,96 & 7/8/96. SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECALL 95V103011. *AK *SLC
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: KNJBTO6H2K6
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: MR. JACOBSON CAR HAS BEEN WITH GILLESPIE FORD FOR SIX WEEKS NOW AND THE WORK HAS NOT BEEN DONE REGARDING SEA TBELT BUCKLES RECALL 95V103011. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-09-19
- VIN: KNJBT07H6K6
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTON CRUMBLED, JAMMING THE LOCKING MECHANISM PRIOR TO RECALL.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-04-01
- VIN: KNJBT06K6K6
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELTS STUCK INSIDE RETRACTOR. *SD
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-08
- VIN: KNJBT07H0A6
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DIFFICULTY GETTING SEAT BELT RECALL REPAIRS DONE DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-14
- VIN: KNJBT06K2K6
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON BROKE PRIOR TO RECALL.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-13
- VIN: KNJBT06K6K6
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT GIVE HER A LOANER CAR BECAUSE SHE DID NOT BUY HER CAR FROM THAT DEALERSHIP. RECALL REPAIRS ON SEAT BELT BUCKLES 95V103011. *AK
1989 Ford Festiva recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1989 Ford Festiva.
- Manufacturer: MOOG AUTOMOTIVE
- Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: MOOG WILL REPLACE THE INCORRECTLY PACKAGED ASSEMBLIES WITH CORRECT BALL JOINT/CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
- Summary: 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 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.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1989 Ford Festiva problems:
1989 Ford Festiva Reviews - Carsurvey.org
1989 Ford Festiva LX 1.3 from North America. Summary: One of the best vehicles Ford ever built. Faults: A friend of mine told ...
How Reliable are used Ford Festiva/Aspire? — Car Forums at ...
Aug 11, 1999 ... These cars are built by Kia Motors in Korea with a Mazda engine for Ford. ... Never any engine or transmission problems. ... I have a 1989 Festiva ...
Q&A: Ford Festiva 1989 Fuel Pump Problem - Expert Advice
Jan 13, 2010 ... What will it take to change out of a 1989 Ford Festiva with a - Answered by a verified Ford Mechanic.
Ford Festiva Questions - shut off while driving - CarGurus
Nov 26, 2012 ... was replaced, still have same problem.. my mechanic has given up !! can someone help? 1988 Ford Festiva LX Maintenance & Repair. 14.
Ford Festiva 1989 Fuel Pump Relay Location - Q&A
Nov 24, 2008 ... They also had some corrosion issues with a wiring connector under the battery and coolant bottle.The black and white wire for the relay runs ...
Other years of Ford Festiva
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