1996 Ford Aspire

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/23/1998· 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

• 12/16/1999· POWER TRAIN

  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

• 12/14/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 11, 2005 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY I EXPIRED A SUDDEN SPIKE IN TEMPERATURE ON MY 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT MY "PLASTIC" INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION AND HAD NEVER RECEIVED ANY SORT OF CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION FROM FORD. I HEARD ABOUT THE MANIFOLD ISSUE FROM A FELLOW EMPLOYEE. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS FOR THIS FAULTY MANIFOLD WAS $978.00. I FEEL IF THEY KNEW THEY NEEDED TO UPDATE IT WITH AN ALUMINUM MANIFOLD THAN THEY KNEW THE PLASTIC ONES WERE FAULTY.*JB

• 12/11/2000· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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

• 12/07/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  MY 1996 MERCURY VILLAGER DEVELOPED A FAILURE IN THE AIR FLOW SENSOR (PART $330) THAT RESULTED IN VEHICLE STALLS, INCLUDING STOPS ON THE HIGHWAY, THAT NEARLY RESULTED IN CRASHES. THE REQUIRED REPAIRS EXCEEDED $500. I KNOW FORD HAS A SIMILAR RECALL OUT NOW FOR THE 1997-2003 (/) MODELS). *TR

• 11/18/1998· TIRES

  TIRES FAILED.

• 11/10/1998· 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

• 11/10/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  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.

• 11/04/1997· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION FAILED.

• 10/27/1997· STEERING

  STEERING COLUMN FAILED.

• 10/27/1997· STEERING

  POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED RESULTING IN NOISE.

• 10/26/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THIS M/V HAS BEEN WORKED ON AT LEAST 15-20 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE BEGINING CAR WAS TAKEN TO SULLIVAN BROS WHILE UNDER WARRENTIE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. SINCE 7-2000 THIS CAR WAS AT TWO DEALERS AND THE COST CLOSE TO $800,00 CAR STILL HAS SAME PROBLEMS. STALLS THE PAST WEEK THIS CAR HAS ALMOST BEEN IN TWO ACCIDENTS AS THE CAR HAS STALLED WHILE MAKING LEFT TURN INTO ON COMING LANES. CAR STALLS AND EVERY THING GOES DEAD. SINCE AUGUST THE CAR HAS BEEN WORKED ON AT SHIRETOWN FORD INC 147 SAMOSET ST PLYMOUTH MA #02360 STILL WAITING FOR PHONECALL TO BRING CAR BACK AGAIN WHAT CAN I DO. *AK

• 10/15/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  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

• 10/10/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  FIRST MY ENGINE SEEMED TO OVERHEAT A BIT THEN EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE IT WOULD SOUND LIKE THE ENGINE WAS GRINDING ON SOMETHING AND WOULDN'T STOP.. SOUNDED LIKE A BUNCH OF CHAINS IN MY HOOD. BUT THEN ON OCCASIONS THE STUPID THING WOULDN'T SHUT OFF WHEN IT WAS MAKING THE CHAIN SOUND, EVEN WITH MY KEY OUT. IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN AND NOW THE THING SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING AND I HAVE NO POWER WHAT SO EVER IN MY VEHICLE. BEFORE WHEN IT FINALLY SHUT OFF IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO SPARK. THEN IT WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE THAT WASN'T COOL. *TR

• 10/08/1996· SUSPENSION

  FAILURE ON THE FRONT END ON THE VEHICLE, THE SUPENSION ON THE FRONT END IS CAUSING THE TIRE TO WEAR OFTEN. *AK

• 09/26/1997· SUSPENSION

  WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT. DRIVER CANNOT CONTROL THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT AND THAT WAS IN 1996. DEALER SAID THAT THE CASTER IS NOT ADJUSTABLE TO THE VEHICLE SO THEY CANNOT FIX THE VEHICLE.. *AK

• 09/24/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON JANUARY 4, 1999. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION. KEY WAS STUCK IN THE ON POSITION.

• 09/24/2001· AIR BAGS

  AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING, NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET.*AK

• 09/14/1999· POWER TRAIN

  SON WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON BUSY ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE STOPPED, NO WARNING. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

• 09/03/1999· AIR BAGS

  THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITIN THE SYSTEM, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 08/22/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  NO SUMMARY

• 08/22/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  NO SUMMARY

• 08/10/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKES MAKE NOISE WHEN STOPPING. YH

• 07/21/1997· SUSPENSION

  STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES WHILE DRIVING. THIS ALSO OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AROUND CORNERS. DEALERS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED. *AK

• 07/20/1998· SEAT BELTS

  WHEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTED IT SHATTERED THE WINDOW , CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

• 07/14/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKES EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES.

• 07/06/1996· VISIBILITY

  THERE IS GAS BEING EMITTED FROM THE VENTS TO THE INSIDE OF THE CAR, MAKING THE OCCUPANTS SICK. *AK

• 07/03/2007· TIRESCrash

  TIRE ON 2 CASES BLEW THE TREAD AND BELT, THE LATER OF THE TWO INCIDENCES WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH THAT TOTALED THE VEHICLE, AND RESULTED IN TWO INJURIES TO BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER. BOTH NEEDED TO BE HOSPITALIZED.*AK

• 06/27/2005· UNKNOWN OR OTHERFire

  ON 06/03/2005, A GOVERNMENT OWNED, 1996 FORD BRONCO, WAS OBSERVED ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING GARAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF AND PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT HOURS WHEN THE FIRE OCCURRED. THE FIRE WAS OBSERVED AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, AND BURNED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT COULD BE EXTINGUISHED. THE FIRE WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH.

• 06/23/1997· AIR BAGS

  WHI8LE DRIVING THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON, RESULTING IN INJURIES TO DRIVER . *AK

• 06/22/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS LEAKING FLUID. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL ON OTHER FORD VEHICLES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, THE REPAIR WERE MADE FOR A FEE. ALSO EVERY 25000 MILES, THE OIL PAN GASKET NEEDED TO BE CHANGED DUE A SMALL LEAK. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIRD, THE EXHAUST AND INTAKE MANIFOLDS WERE LEAKING CAUSING A NOXIOUS SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE SAME SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH MANIFOLDS, AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK DRIPPING ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

• 06/20/2003· SEAT BELTS

  CONSUMER STATES THAT THE LEFT REAR SAFETY BELT DOES NOT STAY SECURELY FASTENED, A CHILD CAN EASILY PULL BELT TO RELEASE.*AK

• 06/18/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  FACTORY INSTALLED PUSH-ROD, BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MASTER CYLINDER, WAS NOT THE PROPER PART (IT WAS TOO LONG). THE RESULT OF THIS ERROR HAS CAUSED FAILURE TO THE ABS SYSTEM.

• 06/07/1999· VISIBILITY

  WHILE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS ROLLED DOWN IT EXPLODED. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW EXPLODED PRIOR TO THIS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

• 05/25/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT

  INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED ON 1996 THUNDERBIRD IN 2000. IT IS NOW CRACKED, AND AFTER SPENDING 550.00 TO FIND THAT OUT, THERE IS NOTHING FORD WILL DO EVEN THOUGH IT IS ON CAMPAIGN (97M91). NOW I CAN NOT DRIVE MY CAR.

• 05/23/2003· AIR BAGSCrash

  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

• 05/17/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  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

• 04/08/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  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.

• 04/08/1997· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  OWNER STATES THAT HE SMELLS GAS IN HIS VEHICLE AND THAT HE HAD FUEL PUMP REPLACED BUT HE STILL SMELLS GAS. OWNER ALSO NOTES THAT HE THINKS THAT THERE IS TO MUCH PRESSURE BUILD UP IN TANK. *AK

• 04/03/1998· AIR BAGS

  FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER (BACK, CHEST, NECK , ARMS, SHOULDERS, FACE).

• 03/27/1998· VISIBILITY

  WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE PIVOT ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO FAIL 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS. *AK

• 03/26/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE (1996 FORD SABLE) I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS..THE CAR SHUTS OFF AT SPEEDS OF 10MPH, WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC, OR ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBEM TO NHTSA, THE DEALER, FORD MOTOR CO. AND THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER, THE DEALER SAYS HE CAN NOT FIX IT UNTIL IT DUPLICATES WHILE HE HAS IT...AGAIN HE SAYS "WAIT UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS" , I ASKED IF HE WERE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE INJURED OR KILLED HE SAID UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S WHAT WILL HAVE TO HAPPEN IN ORDER TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. I FIND THIS TO BE A LUDICRUOUS ANSWER, FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBLITY FOR MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO CORRECT THESE DEFECTS.*AK

• 03/26/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 1999, I HAVE REPORTED TO FORD MOTOR AND BUDGET CAR SALES THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, BRAKES JAM, VEHICLE GOES BACKWARD AND JERKS FORWARD WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC. FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND BUDGET AUTO SALES SAYS THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND I NEED TO WAIT UNTIL "SOMETHING HAPPENS" THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP AND I IMPLORE SOMEONE TO ASSIST ME IN GETTING THESE DEFECTS CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.*AK

• 03/23/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKE DESIGN OF THE ADJUSTMENT/THRUST ROD CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES AND SLOW BRAKE ENGAGEMENT.

• 03/12/2000· TIRES

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 03/02/2001· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETLY AS DRIVER WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION. *AK

• 02/18/1997· SUSPENSION

  REAR END IS TO LIGHT, CAUSING LOSS OF TRACTION ON TURNS AND ON SMALL BUMPS AT ANY SPEED.

• 02/14/2006· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAINCrash

  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.

• 02/09/1998· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 30-35 MPH THE CONSUMER HIT A VEHICLE THAT WAS CROSSING IN FRONT OF HER VEHICLE, SHE HIT THE FRONT OF THE OTHER VEHICLE, AND ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, NEITHER OF AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY DID NOT TELL CONSUMER WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

• 01/18/2008· AIR BAGS

  1996 FORD EXPLORER, 4X4. DRIVING IN DESERT WENT OVER A BUMP A LITTLE FAST, WHICH SET OFF MY AIRBAGS. MY RIDER IS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR BROKEN NOSE, CHEEK AND SOME KIND OF SMOKE INHALATION. MY WINDSHIELD IS BROKEN BECAUSE THE BAG HIT THE MIRROR WHICH THEN HIT THE WINDSHIELD. MY STEERING WHEEL IS DESTROYED, CRUISE CONTROL AND HORNS ARE OUT OF SERVICE. BEFORE I COULD DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN I HAD TO CUT THE AIRBAGS OUT. WHAT THE HELL IS THIS! NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR EXCEPT WHAT THE AIRBAGS DID. I WANT THIS ALL FIXED AT FORD'S EXPENSE. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR 10 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS EXCEPT; RECALLED TIRES, STEERING BARS AND BRAKES (ALL RECALL). *TR