1996 Ford Aspire
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Aspire › 1996
These records cover every 1996 Ford Aspire. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
33 complaints3 involved a crash1 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic · Steering
Dt*: the contact stated without warning the brakes and steering failed, while driving 5-10 mph. the vehicle ran into a brick wall and there was damage to the front end of the vehicle. there was a police report taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed to the contact's home. the vehicle has…
Dt*: the contact stated without warning the brakes and steering failed, while driving 5-10 mph. the vehicle ran into a brick wall and there was damage to the front end of the vehicle. there was a police report taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed to the contact's home. the vehicle has not been inspected by a mechanic. also, at 14,000 miles while driving 15 mph the vehicle stopped. the engine was still on, but the vehicle would not move. the dealership determined the transmission needed to be replaced. this happened again at 40,000 miles and the transmission was replaced by the dealership. at 55,000 miles the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop for the same problem and the transmission was rebuilt. the transmission was rebuilt a final time at 65,000 miles. there have been no further problems with the transmission.
- Seat belts › Rear/other
Consumer states that the left rear safety belt does not stay securely fastened, a child can easily pull belt to release.*ak
- Air bags › Frontal
The driver lost control of the vehicle when the right wheel hit a gravel patch and slid into a embankment. the driver side air bag didn't deploy. *nlm
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch was replaced on january 4, 1999. consumer was unable to get key out of ignition. Key was stuck in the on position.
- Air bags
Airbag light has been flashing, not taken to dealer yet.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission failed completly as driver was making a left turn at an intersection. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Steering › Linkages
My aspire exhibited a number of component failures, and I consider myself lucky not to have been injured by them. In the first instance, the distriubutor failure occurred as I entered an intersection, and as a result the car stalled at the light not in the traffic lane. In the second instance, the…
My aspire exhibited a number of component failures, and I consider myself lucky not to have been injured by them. In the first instance, the distriubutor failure occurred as I entered an intersection, and as a result the car stalled at the light not in the traffic lane. In the second instance, the steering component failure occurred on the highway resulting in significant vibration but I was able to control the car and take it into the dealer for repairs. In the third instance, the fuel pump failure caused the car not to start, but from what I understand, the part could have failed during operation and could have caused a stall. I consider myself lucky. Disappointed in the aspire, but lucky. *Ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Electrical system › Ignition
No summary
- Electrical system › Ignition
No summary
- Power train › Automatic transmission
I've experienced three transmission failures since I've owned the ford aspire. within one year of ownership, the transmission failed twice within months of each other. this year (99), it failed for the third time. it was still under factory warranty the first two times it went out. this car IS…
I've experienced three transmission failures since I've owned the ford aspire. within one year of ownership, the transmission failed twice within months of each other. this year (99), it failed for the third time. it was still under factory warranty the first two times it went out. this car IS a safety hazard that will cause potential road injury to myself and/or family members, and other motorists. it has gone out while merging with traffic, so far god has spared our lives from a fatal accident that IS waiting to happen. ford refuses to write this car off as a lemon and/or safety hazard; instead, they want to put me in another used car and absorb the cost of the ford aspire, plus put at least $2,000.00 down. they are not improving my situation by burying me deeper into another used car that will take me another four years to pay off, before I can get out of it. I am a college student trying to reestablish my credit, I had no problem keeping the aspire until it became a life-threatening situation. I have no choice but to get out of the aspire; either that, or continually make payments on a car that IS a defective product--and that IS unfair to me as a consumer to carry the brunt of this car. ford does not stand behind its consumers, and it seems like my safety IS being taken lightly. the first time my car was worked on, a ford representative assured me it was fixed--how do you explain the last two problems after that? I have nowhere else to turn, and I haven't been fully assisted in this matter. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Wheels › Rim
Front wheels vibrate on highway, due to possible faulty rims. yh
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Son was driving vehicle on busy road and all of a sudden vehicle stopped, no warning. Contacted dealer. *ak
- Air bags
The airbag light illuminates, indicating a malfunction witin the system, cause unknown. please give any further details. *ak
- Visibility › Glass, side/rear
While passenger's side window was rolled down it exploded. also, driver's side window exploded prior to this. manufacturer has been notified. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine cut off while driving driver got out of vehicle and flames were coming from under the hood. Dealer has the vehicle now. The problem has not been corrected. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Front brake rotors have failed 4 times. ford turned the rotors, and stated aspires have bad brakes. this IS not acceptable as I have owned 4 of these cars.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Brake design of the adjustment/thrust rod causes extended stopping distances and slow brake engagement.
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
When the driver's seat belt retracted it shattered the window , causing minor injuries to the driver. dealer will be notified. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline
Car smells like gasoline most of the time inside. Dealer contacted, and cannot remedy the problem. Problem still exists. Problem further information. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor · Tires
Tires failed.
- Fuel system, gasoline
The vehicle experienced a gas smell and vapor throughout the vehicle which may cause a fire ifit IS a source of ignition. dealer cannot determine problem. please provide further information. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
At 800 miles, the front rotors warped. they had to be remachined. at 13,000 miles the front rotors warped again. the dealer and ford motor company refused to fix the problem. at 55 miles an hour the steering wheel shakes. when you make a turn the steering wheel shakes more. at highway driving, when you make a turn or change lanes, the steering IS hard to control.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
Was having problem with the brakes. Took vehicle to dealer & told that rotors & pads were worn excessively. They needed replacing. Passenger front was worse. The other 3 were warped. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Brakes experience extended stopping distances.
- Air bags
False deployment of air bag, causing injury to consumer (back, chest, neck , arms, shoulders, face).
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Fuel vapor valve leaks
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.
- 625715Brake shift interlock.*jb
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 615463Some vehicles may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code p0300 stored in memory. Engineering IS investigating.
- 615359Information on vehicles exhibiting a malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code p0300 stored in memory.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 607469Some vehicles may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on and codes p0140 or p0141 present with no driveability concerns.
- 606981Information regarding door lock freezing repair.
- 606508Conditions with the brake lamps inadvertently disabling the brake shift interlock.
- 606461Ford motor company has released a private labeled material to be used for iron particle / acid rain service repairs.
- 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.
- 51607Concerns of dtc p0505 that are not resolved by following pp tests.
- 51411Mil light on with dtc p0505.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50965Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) - mil lamp illuminated with daignostic trouble code (dtc) p0400 stored in memory.
- 50946Noise - click, clunk, rattle - mtx transaxle reverse gear.
- 50944Mass air flow sensor - replacement as an assembly - service tip.
Every Ford Aspire model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.