Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
169 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
135,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1984 to 1994 model years. Data updated: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 0 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
1984: 0; 1988: 1; 1989: 1; 1990: 2; 1991: 1; 1992: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 0
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
Reported: 1995-06-27 (June 27, 1995) · Model years: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Reported: 1990-03-08 (March 8, 1990) · Model years: 1990
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
169 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1984 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1943.2%ODI 483776FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES BROKEN AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL NOTICE 95V103000, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO MODEL YEAR. *DSH | 3166.0%ODI 501168PRIOR TO RECALL, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO MANUFACTURING DATE. (95V103011) *DH | 523.8% | 14.8%ODI 504480RECALL REPAIRS TO SEAT BELT BUCKLE NOT DONE DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.3%ODI 8012422AFTER 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 14.8%ODI 971266THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ALMOST CHOKED PERSON THAT WAS SITTING ON THAT SIDE . TT | 523.8%ODI 10659863 · 200,000 miDRIVER SEAT, SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. IT IS STUCK IN THE WINDOW AND WILL NOT COME DOWN! *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 525.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 36.8% | 48.5% | 29.5%ODI 8008422WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. UPON TRYING TO START IT AGAIN, IT WILL NOT START UNLESS IT IS JUMPED STARTED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED AS OF YET. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK | 14.8%ODI 985821VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER PARKED FOR (10) MINUTES W/CAUSE STATED BY CIRCLEVILLE CITY FIRE DEPT BEING ELECTRICAL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK | 17.1%ODI 984281OWNER HEARD WEIRD CRACK AND VEHICLE STARTED EXPERIENCING OVER HEATING. IGNITION SWITCH NOW SEEMS TO AFFECT COOLANT FAN AND OTHER COMPONENTS ON SAME LINE. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 511.4% | 36.4% | 14.8%ODI 967148CONSUMER WENT TO PUT CHILD SEAT IN BACK SEAT OF CAR AND THE REAR SEAT BELT BROKEN. TT | 14.8%ODI 983560DRIVING VEHICLE DOWN MAIN STREET, ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT, VEHICLE WAS HIT HEAD-ON, SEATBELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN PASSENGER. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 49.1%ODI 801249LAP BELTS IN THE REAR WILL NOT RETRACT ON PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SIDES. *AK | 12.1% | 29.5%ODI 984183FRONT SEAT BELTS; PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT RETRACT. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.1%ODI 482100RETAINER CLAMP AROUND CONVERTER SHIELD INSTALLED DUE TO NOISE UNDER VEHICLE. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.1%ODI 807550INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AND THE DRIVER,S SIDE SHOULDER BELT SNAPPED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK | 14.8%ODI 745186STETCHING 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 | 29.5% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 15.0%ODI 10100809 · 118,321 mi!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. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Tires | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.3%ODI 766997JUNE, 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 TIR… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.1%ODI 10820063 · 250,000 miDELTA AKURET GRIP PLUS STUDDED SNOW TIRES 74S 145/75/12 . THE STUDS IN THESE SNOW TIRES WORE THE INTERIOR OF THE TIRE AWAY AND CAUSED A SWIFT LEAK, AS DOCUMENTED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. TIRE WENT FLAT REPEATEDLY, AND WAS INFLATED TO PROPER PSI SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE DAY. TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEAK WAS OCCURRING BETWEEN TWO SEPARATE TIRE STUDS. THEY WERE BOTH LEAKING AIR WHERE THEY HAD WORN THE INTERIOR OF THE TIRE AWAY. THIS RESULTED IN THE REMOVAL OF TWO TIRE STUDS, AND PATCHES BEING … | 210.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.3%ODI 806851WHILE PARKED, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING CAUSED THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD TO CATCH ON FIRE. *AK | 12.1%ODI 728999WIRING 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.1%ODI 825195WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | Too few reports for a range | 167,500 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10659863 · 200,000 miDRIVER SEAT, SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. IT IS STUCK IN THE WINDOW AND WILL NOT COME DOWN! *TR ODI 10788719 · 135,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD FESTIVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO WORK. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 095V103011 (SEAT BELTS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | Too few reports for a range | 118,321 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10100809 · 118,321 mi!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. *AK |
| Tires | Too few reports for a range | 250,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10820063 · 250,000 miDELTA AKURET GRIP PLUS STUDDED SNOW TIRES 74S 145/75/12 . THE STUDS IN THESE SNOW TIRES WORE THE INTERIOR OF THE TIRE AWAY AND CAUSED A SWIFT LEAK, AS DOCUMENTED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. TIRE WENT FLAT REPEATEDLY, AND WAS INFLATED TO PROPER PSI SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE DAY. TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEAK WAS OCCURRING BETWEEN TWO SEPARATE TIRE STUDS. THEY WERE BOTH LEAKING AIR WHERE THEY HAD WORN THE INTERIOR OF THE TIRE AWAY. THIS RESULTED IN THE REMOVAL OF TWO TIRE STUDS, AND PATCHES BEING … |
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1993: 8 complaints · 1994: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 1 | 4 | 8 |
| 1994 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 17 | 3 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | Seat Belts | Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | Tires | Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 963876PE95-013 ACTIVE,DRIVERS SIDE LAP/SHOULDER WILL NOT RETRACT, ALSO REAR LAP BELT WILL NOT FASTEN. TT | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1ODI 963876PE95-013 ACTIVE,DRIVERS SIDE LAP/SHOULDER WILL NOT RETRACT, ALSO REAR LAP BELT WILL NOT FASTEN. TT | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
2 patterns with matching reports.
1 mentions · 0.6% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
THERE IS A GAS SMELL PRESENT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b1 mentions · 0.6% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b