1994 Ford Aspire
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Aspire › 1994
These records cover every 1994 Ford Aspire. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1994 Ford Aspire. Newest first.
The fuel supply, return and vapor hoses or lines can contact or have inadequate clearance with the surrounding components due to improper positioning during assembly.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Wear of the hose or line can occur, resulting in fuel leakage within the engine compartment which can result in fire when exposed to a source of ignition.
Remedy
The fuel lines will be repositioned. Any damaged rubber hoses will be replaced. Steel fuel lines will have the corrosion protection repaired if needed.
The dates of manufacture were omitted on the certification label. This does not comply with part 567, "certification."
Risk and remedy
Risk
Consequence of non-compliance: incomplete certification label does not properly identify the vehicle.
Remedy
A complete certification label will be provided to the owner or will be installed for the owner by the dealer, if necessary.
Owner complaints
54 complaints16 involved a crash2 involved a fire14 injuries2 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Unknown or other
At highway speed the speedometer suddenly began to make a loud, grinding noise. the needle shot up to a speed far higher than the speed of the car. the needled vibrated, then broke off. we were particularly concerned because this speedometer failure was almost an exact duplicate of the speedometer failure on our other ford aspire (see claim # 10018380). we now have two aspires with no speedometers. *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Aspire IS running very bad like missing, seems like its not getting gas. New thing IS now it will not start unless you basically flood the car by pumping the gas pedal and that includes while its running. I took it to ford and they don't know what IS wrong with the car according to frederick motor company. *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
My name IS [xxx], the mother of [xxx]. I bought this car new. the fan failed within the first year I owned it and the dealership fixed it. [xxx] has owned the car for a few months now, and the fan went out again, but this time the relay to the fan melted. in checking with the haynes book on…
My name IS [xxx], the mother of [xxx]. I bought this car new. the fan failed within the first year I owned it and the dealership fixed it. [xxx] has owned the car for a few months now, and the fan went out again, but this time the relay to the fan melted. in checking with the haynes book on this car, it states to watch for burn holes in the carpet and smoking wiring under the dash because of this. our fear IS after getting it fixed it will do it again and possibly cause a fire. ford IS not willing to help us in any way, as the warranty IS up and they stated they couldn't fix it permanently anyway. it would be a lost cause. we can fix it through ford and if it ever IS recalled we could be reimbursed, but our fear IS that it could cause a potential fire hazard in the future, just as it did now and most probably when it was fixed the first time. my husband IS checking with ford to see if they have a record of the first time the fan was replaced and what was wrong with it then, although the symptoms were the same then as now. it seems the older the car IS the better chance there IS of this thing catching fire. please look into it for us and thank you for your time. [xxx]. *ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Tires
The dealer put cooper cobra tires (no specific tire information mentioned) on the vehicle, which were defective and caused the front end of vehicle to shake, the dealer put defective tires on the rear axle, but the condition still existed, finally, the consumer had another dealer replace the…
The dealer put cooper cobra tires (no specific tire information mentioned) on the vehicle, which were defective and caused the front end of vehicle to shake, the dealer put defective tires on the rear axle, but the condition still existed, finally, the consumer had another dealer replace the cooper cobra tires with another brand and the condition was resolved. *tt also the thermostat was installed, because the dealer stated there was no thermostat. *jb the dealer told the consumer there were no recalls on the vehicle. refer to recall #'s 9v141000 and 9v186000. *scc jb *cb
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Front-end collision at 30mph. Wearing safety belt, air-bag deployed. Face still hit steering wheel breaking front of jaw and knocking out teeth. Car was declared totalled.*ak
- Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift
Threads on the jack screw bolts are stripped. jack won't go up or down. Please provide any further information.*ak
- Visibility › Glass, side/rear
The above described glass IS not safety, but IS only tempered glass. In an accident, the large volume of slivers of glass could have disastrous results. This was a staionary event and, fortunately did not.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
I was entering the outerbelt at cleveland avenue & i-270w, and as I started to accelerate the car got up to about 45 miles per hour on the entrance ramp and the speedometer started to slow. I had my two children, whitney age 8 and brittany age 15 in the car with me. this could have been a…
I was entering the outerbelt at cleveland avenue & i-270w, and as I started to accelerate the car got up to about 45 miles per hour on the entrance ramp and the speedometer started to slow. I had my two children, whitney age 8 and brittany age 15 in the car with me. this could have been a terrible accident, but I realized that something was wrong. I spent about $1,600.00 on a used transmission and the owner explained to me that dealers make the transmission to only last about 3 years, so they can either charge you to replace it or take your car from you if it IS financed, because for the most part it IS difficult to come up with that kind of money on short notice. fortunately, I was able to pay for the repairs and the car was paid off the next month. I do believe that the ford dealership needs to do something about those transmissions. I also believe that the windstar IS not the only transmission problem. someone needs to look at all the transmissions on the ford cars.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
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…
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 as I feel my car IS dangerously defective!*ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Both headlights are discolored, and do not provide sufficient lighting,causing poor visibility. *ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Went to have vehicle inspected and it failed due to the lens covering. color of the lens doesn't allow visible lighting. contacted dealer. *Ak *ML
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
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 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 clutch pedal assembly only be spot welded together? Let alone be manufactured out of such thin metal? it was poorly manufactured and I believe these vehicles should be inspected before someone gets seriously hurt. had this not been a five speed I would have had no way to slow the vehicle down and would have surely been in an accident. I am afraid of the car and I hope ford will accept the responsibility to fix it because this in no way IS user error. it IS definitely a manufacturer's defect/engineering design flaw that no consumer shoud be responsible for. It was a poor choice of cost cutting to only spot weld this part together . it plainly IS a dangerous safely issue for anyone operating one of these cars. I hope no one gets seriously hurt because any more of these welds break and cause someone to be unable to stop safely. as of right now both the clutch cable and pedal do not function correctly and the brake pedal repeatedly hits the steering column preventing it from being able to depress far enough to fully stop the car. I pray I am the only one who has run into this problem, but I feel this needs prompt attention and should be investigated before someone IS hurt or killed by one of these cars due to this mechanical error. this assembly never should have been "glued" together with an obviously weak spot weld.
- Air bags › Frontal
Airbags did not deploy with a front end collision with deer at @40mph. *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
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.
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
The plastic covering over the headlights have faded causing poor visibility. *mjs
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
The plastic coverings over the headlights have faded to the point where the headlights shine very dim and make it difficult to see at night while driving. this occurred approx 1 year after purchasing the vehicle. I have contacted the dealer but they have not heard of any recalls for this safety issue. the cost to replace these lamps are outrageous. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Noticed a leakage at gasket when filling up the water reservoir and checking engine oil dip stick. when making a right turn or going up a hill around a curve, the driver side has a strange rattling noise on the front tire. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer was driving at 15mph swerved to avoid a byciclist and hit a light pole head-on. During inflation of the air bags they blew out on both side windows, shattering the windows into little pieces. Dealer has not been contacted. *ak
- Structure › Frame and members · Suspension
There IS very loud rambling noise which gets higher as the vehicle picks up speed. Also, crash barriers have been replaced three times, and the dealer IS aware of the problem. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer was traveling about 65mph when vehicle was involved in an accident with another car and consumer's air bags did not deploy. *ak
- Power train · Power train › Manual transmission › Lubricant
Input shafts and reverse gears failed.
- Visibility › Windshield
Entire passenger door window shattered upon closing the door. glass showered inside the car as well as in the door and on the ground outside.
- Unknown or other
The flasher switch would not keep down, therfore had a dead batterie and had to get a whole new steering column.
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Headlights beam real low even when they are on, and they are very dim. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Steering wheel/column lockup
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10008580Lamp-brake-invadvertent disabling of brake shift interlock.
- 10003748New transmission cooler flusher - service tips. 2003 escort and super duty f series included.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6090082Information for servicing and diagnosing brake vibration, brake inspection, and brake friction material replacement.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3012400Unknown
- 625715Brake shift interlock.*jb
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 606981Information regarding door lock freezing repair.
- 606508Conditions with the brake lamps inadvertently disabling the brake shift interlock.
- 606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5W-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year.
- 605562Subject regarding the availability of hub-mount brake rotor machining equipment.
- 605302Information on head gasket oil & coolant passages.
- 604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals.
- 603695Experiencing a " buzzing " or " rattling " noise from the exhaust system.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601264Availability of hub-mount brake rotor machining equipment.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 601010Recommended guidelines for towing behind recreational vehicles.
- 601009Service tip information regarding elimination of sanding rotors and drums.
- 601003Hub-mount brake rotor machining equipment from rotunda IS now approved for warranty and service use.
- 53662Some vehicles after a transaxle overhaul may be experience no third gear and/or reverse.
- 51987Fuel economy- customer expectations versus vehicle usage.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 51687Noise- "ticking" heard while driving at 72-121 km/h (45-75 mph)- vehicles with atx transaxle.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50946Noise - click, clunk, rattle - mtx transaxle reverse gear.
- 50944Mass air flow sensor - replacement as an assembly - service tip.
- 50941Brakes - elimination of sanding rotors and drums - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 50902Door locks - door locks freeze in ambient temperatures below 0 degrees c (32 degrees f) - vehicles built through 1/23/96.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
Every Ford Aspire model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.