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1988 Ford Festiva L Plus

The 1988 Ford Festiva L Plus is a 58-hp 1.3-liter inline-4 with a 4-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $6,302 MSRP and is rated at 34 mpg combined.

It makes 58 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 73 lb-ft of torque at 3000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 32 mpg city and 36 mpg highway (34 mpg combined).

The Festiva measures 140.0 inches long on a 90.1-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 1,713 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeHatchback
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$6,302 ($17,313 *)
Engine
Engine Type1.3L I4
Displacement1.3 L
Horsepower58 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque73 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission4-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City32 MPG
Highway36 MPG
Combined34 MPG
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front12.0 in
Wheels Rear12.0 in
Dimensions & Weight
Length140 in
Width63 in
Height55 in
Wheelbase90.1 in
Curb Weight1,713 lbs
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1988 Ford FESTIVA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jun 24, 1996 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

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.

NHTSA campaign 96E017000

Jun 27, 1995 · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

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 95V103011

45 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1988 Ford FESTIVA

Owner Complaints

45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1988 Ford FESTIVA (2 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 1 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Seat Belts28
Electrical System5
Engine And Engine Cooling2
Seats2
Suspension2
Wheels2
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
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…”
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…”
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”
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…”
Nov 19, 1999 · Suspension
“NO SUMMARY”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1988 FORD FESTIVA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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