FaultScore

Mercedes Benz 240 vs Ford Aspire

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure Mercedes Benz 240 Ford Aspire
Complaints on file 116 289
Model years covered 1979–2003 1987–1997
Worst model year 2002 1994
Best model year 2001 1996
Crashes reported 19 60
Fires reported 2 8
Injuries reported 6 39
Deaths reported 0 3
Most complained-about part Electrical System Airbags
Share of complaints involving harm 23.3% 38.1%

Mercedes Benz 240 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Electrical System 19 16.4%
Engine & Cooling 13 11.2%
Fuel & Propulsion 12 10.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain 8 6.9%
Airbags 8 6.9%
Body & Structure 8 6.9%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 8 6.9%
Brakes 7 6.0%

Ford Aspire by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Airbags 60 20.8%
Fuel & Propulsion 20 6.9%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 19 6.6%
Brakes 18 6.2%
Steering 14 4.8%