Ford ASPIRE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
128 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
88,732 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 to 1997 model years. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 128 complaints (18.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 14 | 10.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 7.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 6.3% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 5.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 5.5% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 23 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 9 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 5 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 23; Electrical System:Ignition: 9; Air Bags: 7; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Visibility:Windshield: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 116 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 19 |
| 1996 | 16 |
| 2000 | 41 |
| 2001 | 21 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
1995: 19; 1996: 16; 2000: 41; 2001: 21; 2002: 12; 2003: 11; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 478397 · 1995-01-01 (January 1, 1995)
PLASTIC SLEEVING ON LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHATTERED DURING IMPACT, CAUSING SLEEVE TO BECOME PUSHED INTO DRIVER'S KNEE, RESULTING IN INJURIES. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478397 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 724499 · 2000-06-25 (June 25, 2000)
I AM SENDING THIS WITH GREAT CONCERN OVER A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT I FEEL IS VERY DANGEROUS.THE SPOT WELDS ON THE HARNESS THAT HOLDS THE BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDALS BROKE AND CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO HANG UP ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP SAFELY AND NEARLY PUT THE CAR INTO A DITCH. I WAS APPALLED WHEN I REALIZED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE WHOLE HARNESS HAS STRESS FRACTURES AND FROM WHAT I CAN SEE HAS BROKEN ON AT LEAST TWO OF THE SPOT WELDS. HOW COULD A PART THAT WOULD OBVIOUSLY HAVE SO MUCH WEAR AND TEAR AS THE BRAKE CLUT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 724499 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 508818 · 1996-09-19 (September 19, 1996)
THROTTLE POSTION SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL, ALSO REPLACED DISTRIBUTOR/BROKEN WINDOW/BATTERY/SPEEDOMETERAND ODOMETER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 508818 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722481 · 2000-05-10 (May 10, 2000)
DURING HOT WEATHER AND WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVING A LONG TIME, ENGINE WILL NOT START AFTER IT'S BEEN SHUT OFF. HAVE TO KEEP TRYING BEFORE IT FINALLY ENGAGES. HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. IT'S NOT A DEAD BATTERY, THE ENGINE WILL NOT ENGAGE UNTIL SEVERAL TRIES ARE MADE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 566199 · 2002-06-24 (June 24, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE ENTERED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAUGHT ON FIRE, CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION STARTED GIVING OUT IN 4TH AND 5TH GEARS, POSSIBLY ENGINE FAILURE OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT.#10-91-204 *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 566199 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734971 · 2000-10-23 (October 23, 2000)
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD A TRANSMISSION FAIL ON THIS CAR- THE THIRD IN A FORD VEHICLE I'VE OWNED. I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND WHO DRIVES A NEW ASPIRE AND HERS FAILED TOO. I TOOK IT TO GARAGES WHO REFUSED TO WORK ON IT BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSIONS IN ASPIRES ARE APPARENTLY NOTORIOUSLY BAD. MY CAR STOPPED DEAD- ONCE ON A HIGHWAY, ONCE ON A BUSY METROPOLITAN STREET, BUT CLEARLY IT COULD HAVE STOPPED ANYWHERE. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY WERE VERY RUDE AND MADE NO ATTEMPT TO HELP. AND AT THIS STAGE IN THE GOODYEAR LITIGATION! PLEASE CONTACT ME A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734971 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 981119 · 1996-03-22 (March 22, 1996)
THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARP EVERY 12K MILES, CAUSING SHIMMY IN THE FRONT AND ALSO DIFFICULTY STOPPING VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 981119 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 509061 · 1996-09-25 (September 25, 1996)
STRONG ODOR INSIDE OF VEHICLE, ODOR IS COMING FROM FUEL TANK THAT IS SITUATED TOO CLOSE TO DRIVER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 509061 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 965480 · 1995-05-18 (May 18, 1995)
CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE BOTH FRONT AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOYED,CAR WAS UP SIDE DOWN AND DIDN'T TURN OFF THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE GAS TANK. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965480 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 968061 · 1995-06-30 (June 30, 1995)
PROBLEM WITH FUSES OFTEN BURNING OUT, CAUSING EHICLE TO STALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 968061 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 2 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
1994: 2; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0