1997 Ford Aspire
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Aspire › 1997
These records cover every 1997 Ford Aspire. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
60 complaints6 involved a crash2 involved a fire7 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- 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. *Tr
- 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. *Jb
- 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…
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. *jb
- 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 .*ak
- 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…
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.
- 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.*ak
- 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. *jb
- 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…
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
- 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
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer stated while applying the brakes, the air bag suddenly deployed.*jb
- Air bags · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
The oxyger sensor failed. *scc
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · 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.*jb
- 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.*ak
- Wheels
Right front wheel IS broken. *ak
- 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…
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. *Ak
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.*ak
- Fuel system, gasoline · 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.*ak
- Air bags
Srs/ airbag sensor light stays illuminated while driving. dealer has been notified.*ak
- 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. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor · Unknown or other
This vehicle has been in for a engine check light 4 times in the past six months. Each time, the mechanics claimed a different cause for the codes in memory. The problem IS, if it IS the catalytic converter, which was replaced at 58481 miles, it IS possible for it to cause a vehicle fire. The…
This vehicle has been in for a engine check light 4 times in the past six months. Each time, the mechanics claimed a different cause for the codes in memory. The problem IS, if it IS the catalytic converter, which was replaced at 58481 miles, it IS possible for it to cause a vehicle fire. The problem has not recurred again yet, but the last visit, nothing was changed to remedy any underlying problem. I think four times for a problem IS a bit out of line, and would like an investigation into the problem since it occurred shortly after the warranty supposedly ended. Full details of the case can be obtained from the state attorney general's office, financial fraud division in oregon.
- Air bags › Frontal
False deployment of the driver and passenger frontal air bags while driving causing damage to the vehicle. *mjs
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Electrical system › Ignition · Exterior lighting › Turn signal › Switch
Distributor shorted out/ multi fuction switch malfuctioned/ alternator malfuction altenator broke off housing. *Ak
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.
- 6091775Some vehicles may exhibit repeat misfire diagnostic trouble codes p0300 - p0304 after ssm 11543 (replacement distribution vane cover) has been performed.
- 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.
- 605238Subject regarding repeated misfire codes - dtcs p0300 - p0304.
- 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.
- 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.
- 600587Service tips for surface defect removal without repainting.
- 53662Some vehicles after a transaxle overhaul may be experience no third gear and/or reverse.
- 52909Customer concerns of mil (malfaunction indicator lamp) and dtc's of p0505 and/ or po140.
- 51987Fuel economy- customer expectations versus vehicle usage.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 51607Concerns of dtc p0505 that are not resolved by following pp tests.
- 51411Mil light on with dtc p0505.
- 51356The door glass window may not roll down on some vehicles- this may be due to the foam pad bracket pulling away from the door skin.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50988Glass - door glass will not roll down.
Every Ford Aspire model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.