Ford›Festiva›1990›Overview/ford/festiva/1990/base/

1990 Ford Festiva

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1990 Festiva.

Transmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1990 Ford Festiva arrives with a 3.6-quart engine calling for 5W-30 API oil and a three-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA ratings of 27 city, 30 highway, and 28 combined mpg. Owner reports tally 22 complaints for the year, led by seat-belt issues, and the model carries three recalls. Across the 1990–1994 run, 1990 sits well below the 1993 peak of 29 complaints and above the 1994 low of just two, positioning this model year in the middle of the generation's reliability spread.

Model year199319921991199019891988

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy27/30/28 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length140.6 in
Overall width63.4 in
Overall height55.1 in
Wheelbase90.2 in
Curb weight1713 lb
Track (front / rear)55.1 / 54.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined27 / 30 / 28 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.6 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.6 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 15,000 mi.

At 7,500 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Frame Fasteners (torque)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Spark Plugs (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 45,000 miShift Linkage Boot (inspect)
Every 60,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1990 Ford Festiva recorded 22 complaints, 3 recalls, 1 investigation, and 21 technical service bulletins (TSBs). Within the generation's arc, 1990 marks the peak for recalls, which declined steadily in subsequent years to zero by 1994. While complaints remained stable from 1990 through 1992, they peaked in 1993 before dropping sharply in 1994. For the 1990 model, seat belts were the primary area of concern with 11 complaints, and the record includes one crash and one fire complaint. TSBs for 1990 are relatively low compared to the 45 reported for the 1993 model. Because this year has the highest number of recalls and significant seat belt complaints, it is not the best year to buy.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
21
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
22
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’91’92’93’94

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 22 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seat Belts11
Electrical System3
Wheels3
Tires1
Steering1
Visibility1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

95V103011Seat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblyReported 27/06/1995

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. 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…

96E017000Suspension:Front:Control ArmReported 24/06/1996

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. Remedy: MOOG WILL REPLACE THE INCORRECTLY PACKAGED ASSEMBLIES WITH CORRECT BALL JOINT/CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 21 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
011562001-08-06VisibilitySOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
011572001-08-06Unknown Or OtherINFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
00152000-01-10Power TrainINFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
992221999-10-18Electrical SystemSUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING…
991961999-09-20EquipmentINFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Festiva. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 3.6 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1990 Festiva take?

3.6 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1990 Festiva have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Festiva get?

EPA figures are 27 city / 30 highway / 28 combined mpg.