1995 Ford Aspire Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1995 Ford Aspire, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags1720.5%
- Electrical1113.3%
- Transmission910.8%
- Engine89.6%
- Visibility78.4%
- Suspension44.8%
- Steering44.8%
- Fuel system44.8%
- Body & structure44.8%
- Exterior lighting33.6%
- Powertrain (other)33.6%
- Seat belts22.4%
- Interior & seats22.4%
- Brakes22.4%
- Tires & wheels11.2%
- Other / unspecified11.2%
- Heating & air conditioning11.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *JB
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20-25MPH ON A DRY 2 LANE ROAD AND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. AS THEY MET TOWARD THE CENTER OF INTERSECTION. CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO HIT HEAD- ON OTHER VEHICLE. AT SAME TIME PASSENGER'S CAR HIT CONSUMER'S FRONT RIGHT SIDE, DAMAGING BUMPER/TIRE AND DOOR. BETWEEN THE 2 IMPACTS AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. CONSUMER DIDN'T SEEM TO THINK THAT PROBLEM WAS NOT AN ISSUE OF THEIRS.CONSUMER APPEALED TO THE AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE. INSURANCE ADJUSTER SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO INSPECT VEHICLE.*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON A 1995 FORD ASPIRE WITH 101,847 MILES, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS GETTING HARDER TO PUSH DOWN AND GETTING CLOSER TO THE FLOOR UPON RELEASE EVEN THOUGH A NEW CLUTCH WAS PUT IN A YEAR EARLIER. ALSO THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMED TO MOVE AROUND SLIGHTLY. BOTH THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE ON THE SAME BRACKET. I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I THOUGHT THE CABLE HAD BROKEN BUT THE BOLTS HOLDING THE BRACKET HAD COME THROUGH THE FIREWALL. A NEW BRACKET HAD TO BE FABRICATED AND THE FIREWALL STRENGTHENED. *TR
GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) WHILE DRIVING. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY DUE TO LIGHT TRAFFIC, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS OTHERWISE. *NLM
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED INTO FORD DEALERSHIP TWICE, AFTER EXTENSIVE 2 AND 4 DAY TROUBLESHOOTING DIAGNOSTICS TESTS, WITH STILL NO FINDINGS AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS LAST FAILURE THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START, BUT TWO DAYS LATER IT STARTS AS IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED. VEHICLE HAS STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC, WHILE IN PARK AND WHEN RETURNING FROM MULTIPLE DESTINATIONS. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL OF BECOMING A SERIOUS IF NOT FATAL FLAW IF NO REASON FOR THE FAILURE CAN BE DETECTED ANLONG WITH A MEANS OF CORRECTING THE MALFUNCTION.*AK
CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS REPAIR ALTHOUGH THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES AND ONLY 6 YEARS. THE FORD REPAIR SHOP STATES IT DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE WARRANTY BUT THE CONVERTER FAILED ON ITS OWN AND NOT DUE TO OWNER'S FAULT.*AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WITHIN LESS THAN A TWO YEAR TIME PERIOD THREE FORD ASPIRE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO HAVE THEIR DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WINDOW JUST SHATTER UPON CLOSING OF THE DOOR. NOT SLAMMING OR CLOSING ANY DIFFERENTLY THAN ANY OTHER TIME. JUST RECENTLY MY SON HAD HIS WINDOW SHATTER. I WOULD NOT HAVE THOUGHT TOO MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL HE INFORMED ME THIS IS THE THIRD FORD ASPIRE THAT THE WINDOW HAS SHATTERED IN. ALL THREE CARS ARE COSECUTIVE YEARS - 1995 / 1996 / 1997 - AND AS I NOTED AT THE BEGINNING OF MY REPORT, THE WINDOW SHATTERING IN ALL THREE VEHICLES HAS TAKEN PLACE WITHIN LESS THAN A TWO YEAR TIME SPAN. THE VEHICLES ARE NOT OLD BY ANY MEANS, AND I FEEL THERE IS SOME CONCERN IF JUST CLOSING YOUR DOOR CAN CAUSE A WINDOW TO SHATTER. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY FUTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER AND WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO ANY RESPONSE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONCERN.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
BALL JOINT BROKE WHEN TURNING AT 15 MPH WHICH TORE OUT THE CV JOINT. *AK
STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY AT SPEEDS OVER 50MPH, CAR SWERVES AND IS HARD TO CONTROL. WHEN CAR IS PUT IN DRIVE, IT MOVES IN REVERSE. TOOK CAR BACK TO FORD SERVICE AND THEY SAY THIS IS "NORMAL"?*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD ASPIRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND SHE WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING THE FAILURE DUE TO AGE. THE DEALER DID NOT ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE NOR WAS A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,485 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,850. UPDATED 1/17/2012 *LN *TR
WAS TOLD BY FORD I NEEDED TO SEARCH JUNK YARD FOR REPLACEMENT OF KNUCKLE, NO LONGER BEING MADE, I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON CAR. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
STRONG ODOR INSIDE OF VEHICLE, ODOR IS COMING FROM FUEL TANK THAT IS SITUATED TOO CLOSE TO DRIVER. *AK
DURING COLLISION NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON A 1995 FORD ASPIRE WITH 101,847 MILES, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS GETTING HARDER TO PUSH DOWN AND GETTING CLOSER TO THE FLOOR UPON RELEASE EVEN THOUGH A NEW CLUTCH WAS PUT IN A YEAR EARLIER. ALSO THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMED TO MOVE AROUND SLIGHTLY. BOTH THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE ON THE SAME BRACKET. I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I THOUGHT THE CABLE HAD BROKEN BUT THE BOLTS HOLDING THE BRACKET HAD COME THROUGH THE FIREWALL. A NEW BRACKET HAD TO BE FABRICATED AND THE FIREWALL STRENGTHENED. *TR
FRONT OF VEHICLE HIT BY PARTICAL BOARD WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. IMPACT CAUSED VEHICLE HOOD TO FLIPPED UP, BLOCKING WINDSHIELD. HOOD COULD NOT BE LET DOWN TO ALLOW TO DRIVE OFF HIGHWAY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
1995 FORD ASPIRE- HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED AND REPAIR SHOP IS UNABLE TO OBTAIN A USED REPLACEMENT PART BECAUSE ALL OF THE ONES IT HAS OBTAINED ARE ALREADY BROKEN. COST OF NEW PART IS $400, WHICH IS PROBABLY MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. *LA
DEFOGGER INOPERATIVE, CAUSING WINDSHIELD TO FORM ICE ON THE INSIDE/POOR VISIBILITY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
SPEEDOMETER CABLE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE; ONCE IN 1997, AND ONCE IN 1999. VEHICLE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTATCED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
BALL JOINT BROKE WHEN TURNING AT 15 MPH WHICH TORE OUT THE CV JOINT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DEFOGGER INOPERATIVE, CAUSING WINDSHIELD TO FORM ICE ON THE INSIDE/POOR VISIBILITY.
DURING COLLISION NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
BATTERY FAILED.
IMPACT OF ROAD CAN BE FELT THROUGH SEATS WHEN CROSSING BUMPS. *SKD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BATTERY FAILED.
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE RUBBER ON CONSUMER FIRESTONE TIRES PILED OFF, CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES WER NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 00T-005. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FRONT ARM HOLDING WHEEL WILL MAKE A LOUD NOISE CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED . TS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR CONDITIONER HAS ALWAYS MADENOISE WHEN OPERATING NOW FAILING AT LOW SPEEDS CAPITAL FORD SAID NEEDS REPLACEMENT AT $1300 . SPEEDOMETER IS ERRATIC AT, TIMES CAUSING AN INACCURATE AND SHAKY READOUT. THE VIBRATION HAS NOW CAUSED THE NEEDLE TO BREAK OFF DASH HAS NEVER BEEN OPENED THAT I'M AWARE OF WE CAN NO LONGER TELL HOW FAST VEHICLE IS TRAVELING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .