Owners have filed 88 complaints
about the 1997 Ford Aspire with NHTSA between 1997 and 2008.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 61
Against the median year of the Ford Aspire. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
21.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 28
17% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Ignition
416.7%
Frontal
416.7%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
312.5%
Emission Control
312.5%
Front Underhood
312.5%
Automatic Transmission
312.5%
Catalytic Convertor
28.3%
Cooling System
28.3%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
116.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
233.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
233.3%
150,000+ miles
116.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 1997peak 16Sep 2008
NHTSA investigations into the 1997 Ford Aspire
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE98040Opened 15 Jul 1998Closed 16 Nov 1998VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FUEL VAPOR VALVE LEAKS
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 101,000 milesTualatin, ORCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
DURING A CRASH INTO A LIGHT POLE AT 25 MPH THE AIR BAGS IN OUR 1997 FORD ASPIRE EXPLODED INTO THE FACE OF MY 15 YEAR WHO WAS FULLY RESTRAINED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. HE IS 5'11" AND 168 LBS. HE IS SUFFERING FROM "BURNS" BRUISING, SEVER MOUTH LACERATIONS (HE HAS BRACES). HE IS ALSO UNABLE TO SEE IN THE EYE THAT WAS HIT, DUE TO THE IMPRINT OF THE BAG SCORED INTO HIS CORNEA. THE 17 YEAR OLD DRIVER HAS A CRACKED RIB.
NHTSA complaint #10070184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesTualatin, ORCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
MY TWO TEENAGE SONS ARE SUFFERING FROM INJURIES CAUSED BY THE EXPLOSION OF THE AIRBAGS IN OUR 1997 FORD ASPIRE. MY OLDEST SON, THE DRIVER IS SUFFERING FROM A BROKEN RIB, AND MY YOUNGER SON, THE PASSENGER HAS 2ND - 3RD DEGREE BURNS AND SEVERE BRUISING TO HIS FACE, AS WELL AS HIS EYE. THE EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTORS WAS ABLE TO SEE THE IMPRINT OF THE BAG ON HIS CORNEA. THEIR AGES ARE 17 AND 15, THEY ARE BOTH 5'11" AND WEIGH 168 LBS. THEY ARE NOT SMALL CHILDREN. THEY WERE BOTH PROPERLY RESTRAINED WITH LAP AND SHOULDER HARNESSES. THE CAR SLID INTO A LIGHT POLE AT ABOUT 25 MPH DURING A RAINSTORM. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10014147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING RADIO, AND ALL ELECTRICAL POWERED UNITS WENT OUT. SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, AND THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER HOOD THAT APPEARED TO START NEAR WIRE HARNESS. FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY FIRE DEPARTMENT. FORD HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #880528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OHCrash1 injured
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHEN TURNING LEFT, STEERING LOCKED IN LEFT TURN. TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE FAR RIGHT DID NOT CORRECT LEFT TURN CONDITION. ACCIDENT RESULTED IN CAR OVERTURNING - DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY INSURANCE COMPANY
NHTSA complaint #729340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tulsa, OKCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
HAVE HAD RECENT OIL LEAK AND AS OF 08/24/00 WHITE SMOKE BLOWING OUT OF EXHAUST ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES ON.. I HAVE HAD AIRCONDITIONING LEAKING INTO PASSANGER SIDE SO IT CANT BE USED, I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED MY CAR AT EVERY 3 MONTHS.. THE BRAKE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED FIRST MONTH I OWED CAR AND ONLY WHEN IT RAINED WHICH CAUSED A WRECK ON 09/99 DUE TO NO BRAKES AT THAT TIME. HAVE HAD FRONT BREAKS REPLACED. MECHANIC SAID HE COULDNT SEE ANY WEAR ON THEM BUT NEED REPLACED.. MY TURN SIGNALS FUSES REPLACED ABOUT 4 OR 5 TIMES , 3 WKS AGO HAD THEM REPLACED AND NOW HAVE NO TURN SIGNALS. ..( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 16570/13 )
NHTSA complaint #728967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tulsa, OKCrash
TIRES
HAVE HAD RECENT OIL LEAK AND AS OF 08/24/00 WHITE SMOKE BLOWING OUT OF EXHAUST ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES ON.. I HAVE HAD AIRCONDITIONING LEAKING INTO PASSANGER SIDE SO IT CANT BE USED, I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED MY CAR AT EVERY 3 MONTHS.. THE BRAKE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED FIRST MONTH I OWED CAR AND ONLY WHEN IT RAINED WHICH CAUSED A WRECK ON 09/99 DUE TO NO BRAKES AT THAT TIME. HAVE HAD FRONT BREAKS REPLACED. MECHANIC SAID HE COULDNT SEE ANY WEAR ON THEM BUT NEED REPLACED.. MY TURN SIGNALS FUSES REPLACED ABOUT 4 OR 5 TIMES , 3 WKS AGO HAD THEM REPLACED AND NOW HAVE NO TURN SIGNALS. ..( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 16570/13 )
NHTSA complaint #728967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 92,000 milesGainesville, FL
TIRES
CAR SUDDENLY STARTED VIBRATING VIOLENTLY. CAUSE WAS A SIX INCH SECTION OF TREAD APPEARED TO HAVE SEPARATED INTERNALLY. STOPPED BEFORE TIRE FAILED COMPLETELY. 30,000 MILES ON A TIRE GUARANTEED FOR 75,000 MILES. DEALER SAID 62% OF WEAR HAD OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10242232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesGreer, SC
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND FLASHES FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS. DOES IT MEAN AIR BAGS ARE OUT OF SERVICE, MALFUNCTIONING? THE VEHICLE HAD NO ACCIDENTS, AND IN GOOD MAINTAINED CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #10199825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 293,212 milesSouthaven, MS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
I OWN A 1997 FORD ASPIRE AND I WAS DRIVING THE OTHER DAY AND I STOPPED AT THE STORE. WHEN I LEFT THE STORE AND GOT IN MY CAR TO CRANK IT UP THE CAR SPUTTERED AND SHOOK THEN STOPPED RUNNING. I LIFTED UP THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS POURING OUT GAS. I CALLED A MECHANIC TO COME AND FIX THE PROBLEM, WHICH COST ME 300 DOLLARS. WHEN I TOLD THE MECHANIC ABOUT THE PROBLEM, HE SAID THAT THIS WAS RECALLED ON THE 1994 MODEL YEAR OF THIS CAR, BUT MY CAR IS A 1997, WHICH MEANS THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED ON FUTURE CARS. I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED SINCE IT WAS RECALLED ON A EARLIER MODEL, BUT I STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN A LATER MODEL CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10186732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anaheim, CA
WHEELS:HUB
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH REAR WHEEL HUBS, AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL HUB WERE CRACKED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE .
NHTSA complaint #10117393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesTualatin, ORCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
DURING A CRASH INTO A LIGHT POLE AT 25 MPH THE AIR BAGS IN OUR 1997 FORD ASPIRE EXPLODED INTO THE FACE OF MY 15 YEAR WHO WAS FULLY RESTRAINED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. HE IS 5'11" AND 168 LBS. HE IS SUFFERING FROM "BURNS" BRUISING, SEVER MOUTH LACERATIONS (HE HAS BRACES). HE IS ALSO UNABLE TO SEE IN THE EYE THAT WAS HIT, DUE TO THE IMPRINT OF THE BAG SCORED INTO HIS CORNEA. THE 17 YEAR OLD DRIVER HAS A CRACKED RIB.
NHTSA complaint #10070184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlotte, NC
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES CODE 32 ALL THE TIME. WILL STOP ABOUT ONCE A MONTH. HAVE LOOKED AT SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR AND SEEMS TO HAVE SAME PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAVE NOT BEEN IN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10050619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,464 milesRexburg, ID
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SPEEDOMETER BEGAN TO WHIRR LOUDLY. NEEDLE BEGAN TO GYRATE, THEN SURGE TO 100 MPH. NEEDLE THEN BROKE OFF AND FELL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PLASTIC LENS.
NHTSA complaint #10018380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesTualatin, ORCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
MY TWO TEENAGE SONS ARE SUFFERING FROM INJURIES CAUSED BY THE EXPLOSION OF THE AIRBAGS IN OUR 1997 FORD ASPIRE. MY OLDEST SON, THE DRIVER IS SUFFERING FROM A BROKEN RIB, AND MY YOUNGER SON, THE PASSENGER HAS 2ND - 3RD DEGREE BURNS AND SEVERE BRUISING TO HIS FACE, AS WELL AS HIS EYE. THE EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTORS WAS ABLE TO SEE THE IMPRINT OF THE BAG ON HIS CORNEA. THEIR AGES ARE 17 AND 15, THEY ARE BOTH 5'11" AND WEIGH 168 LBS. THEY ARE NOT SMALL CHILDREN. THEY WERE BOTH PROPERLY RESTRAINED WITH LAP AND SHOULDER HARNESSES. THE CAR SLID INTO A LIGHT POLE AT ABOUT 25 MPH DURING A RAINSTORM. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10014147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Highlands, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA complaint #10004450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reistertown, MD
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER STATED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #568351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reisterstown, MD
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATING AND AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DUE TO POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE CLOCKSPRING. *SCC...
NHTSA complaint #568115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reisterstown, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
THE OXYGER SENSOR FAILED. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #568115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reisterstown, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #568115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewiston, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE RIMS ON HER VEHICLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. MR. CONSUMER WAS INFOMRED A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED, THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON.
NHTSA complaint #8021176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewiston, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE RIMS ON HER VEHICLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. MR. CONSUMER WAS INFOMRED A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED, THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON.
NHTSA complaint #8021176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewiston, CA
WHEELS:RIM
CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE RIMS ON HER VEHICLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. MR. CONSUMER WAS INFOMRED A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED, THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON.
NHTSA complaint #8021176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sylvis, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE HAS HAD (3) TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED WITH ONE OF THE TRANSMISSIONS LOSING A PIN, RESULTING IN SYSTEM HAVING POWER FAILURE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8014494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marietta, GA
WHEELS
RIGHT FRONT WHEEL IS BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #734322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Webster City, IA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAS IMPLODED TWO TIMES. VEHICLE WAS NOT OCCUPIED. FIRST IMPLOSION WAS AUGUST OF 1999 AND SECOND IMPLOSION WAS JUNE OF 2002. COST TO REPLACE WAS COVERED FIRST TIME UNDER WARRANTY. COST TO REPLACE SECOND TIME WAS $276.00 AND WAS NOT COVERED BY FORD. SEVERAL INTERNET WEBSITES INDICATE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.THANKFUL THIS VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED AT EACH OCCURRENCE.
NHTSA complaint #763581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winchester, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE PART, THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION SYSTEM LEAKED GASOLINE FUMES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND HAD APPARENTLY DONE SO SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT. THE DEALER REP. STATED THAT THEY HAD THIS PROBLEM IN THE PAST WITH 2 OR 3 OTHERS.
NHTSA complaint #754981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Englewood, CO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1997 FORD ASPIRE.50 MPH ON MAJOR ROUTE IN DENVER WHEN CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL GEARS. 55,400 MILES ON CAR, I AM NOT A SPEEDRACER, NOR WAS PREVIOUS OWNER, TORQUE CONVERTER THOROUGHLY RUINED, $1000 TO FIX, POSSIBLY MORE IF WHOLE TRANNY IS SHOT. NARROWLY ESCAPED SERIOUS INJURY. CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRENTY OF ANY KIND. CAR NOT DRIVABLE AS IT HAS ABSOLUTELY NO GEAR SELECTION.
NHTSA complaint #754272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portsmouth, VA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCKS AND JAMS, THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO GET THE STEERING COLUMN LOOSE TO BE ABLE TO TURN CAR ON OR TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. NLM
NHTSA complaint #785467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Branch, MI
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP FOR A DEER CROSSING DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #895671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THERE IS A FUEL SMELL COMING FOM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAMES ON. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #892533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THERE IS A FUEL SMELL COMING FOM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAMES ON. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #892533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.