1990 Ford Festiva L Plus
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 1993 Ford Festiva L in Oxford White, Front Right, 03-20-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1989 Ford Festiva L Plus, front left, 09-27-2025 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1992 Ford Festiva 1.3 GL Automatic by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1993 Ford Festiva L in Oxford White, Rear Right, 03-20-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1989 Ford Festiva L Plus, rear left, 09-27-2025 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1990 Ford Festiva L Plus is a 63-hp 1.3-liter inline-4 with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $7,371 MSRP and is rated at 33 mpg combined.
It makes 63 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 73 lb-ft of torque at 3000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 30 mpg city and 37 mpg highway (33 mpg combined).
The Festiva measures 140.5 inches long on a 90.2-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 1,713 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Hatchback |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $7,371 ($18,329 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 1.3L I4 |
| Displacement | 1.3 L |
| Horsepower | 63 hp @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 73 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | FWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 30 MPG |
| Highway | 37 MPG |
| Combined | 33 MPG |
| Tank Capacity | 10 gal |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 12.0 in |
| Wheels Rear | 12.0 in |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 140.5 in |
| Width | 63.2 in |
| Height | 55.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 90.2 in |
| Curb Weight | 1,713 lbs |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1990 Ford Festiva L Plus with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1990 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
Mar 8, 1990 · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
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 90V045000
21 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1990 Ford FESTIVA
Owner Complaints
21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1990 Ford FESTIVA (1 mention a crash, 1 a fire). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Seat Belts | 10 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Wheels | 3 |
| Hydraulic | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
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 1990 FORD FESTIVA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.