1997 FORD Aspire Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

AIR BAGS

10 complaints

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

Aug 16, 2007

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.

Jan 15, 2004

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

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

Dec 16, 2003

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

Apr 08, 2003

Crash: 1

Injuries: 2

CONSUMER STATED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED.*JB

Dec 30, 2002

+ 5 more complaints for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

10 complaints

INCIDENT LIKE MANY OTHERS I HAVE HAD MY 1997 FORD EXPEDITION XLT BLOW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE AND TROUBLE FREE WHEN A POP FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND A LOUD BANGING NOISE CAME FROM THE ENGINE HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP ; WHO IN TURN CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. THE REPLY WAS THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. MY LOCAL SERVICE TECH SAID THE REPAIR KIT ALONE WOULD COST $1,000,00. TO REPAIR IT HE SAID THAT FORD HAD ONLY USED 3 THREADS IN THE HEAD THAT FAILED, BUT ARE NOW REPLACING THEM WITH A 7 THREAD HEAD., THIS TELLS ME THAT THEY ARE VERY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT ARE WILLING TO LEAVE THEIR CUSTOMERS OUT TO DRY.. I GUESS THE SCARY PART ABOUT THAT IS I STILL HAVE 4 MORE 3 THREAD SPARK PLUG HOLES TO WORRY ABOUT BLOWING OUT,.I ABSOLUTELY FEEL THIS SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY WHO IS LOOKING FOR THE AMERICAN PUBLIC TO BUY IT'S TRUCKS. DAMAGE RESULTING IT WILL COST ME AS LITTLE AS $2,500.00 TO REPAIR THE CURRENT PROBLEM ( AND NO GUARANTY IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN). OR UP TO $5,500.00 TO REPLACE THE BUILT TOUGH 5.4 TRITON ENGINE. *TR

Jun 05, 2007

THE OXYGER SENSOR FAILED. *SCC

Nov 04, 2002

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *SCC

Nov 04, 2002

ENGINE REPLACEMENT/ I HAVE BEEN A FIRM BELIEVER IN FORD PRODUCTS AND STILL BELIEVE THAT FORD MAKES A GOOD PRODUCT...I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE POSITION I WAS PLACED IN LAST WEEK...I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED MY FORD TRUCK THE BEST THAT I COULD AND NEVER HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH IT FOR THE 6 YRS I HAVE OWNED MY TRUCK...I HAVE EXPERIENCED A FEW STALL OUTS A FEW TIMES BUT NOTHING THAT I TOOK TO SERIOUS, I FIGURED MAYBE A SPARK PLUG PROBLEM...THE FACT THAT MY ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT AT 86000 IS BEYOND ME. LOOKING INTO THE COMPLAIANCE INVETIGATIONS SUMMARY I REALIZED THAT I AM IN COMPANY WITH MANY OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT...I FEEL THAT THIS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURES ENGINE AND THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECT ENGINE. MR

Oct 11, 2002

AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 500 MILES EXTREME NOISE IN THE LOW END CAUSED ME TO PULL INTO LYTHIA FORD OF BOISE, ID. THE ENGINE CONTAINED SUFFICIENT OIL AND THE SOIL PRESSURE INDICATOR WAS IN THE NORMAL RANGE. LYTHIA FORD INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND AFTER PERFORMING TESTS DECIDE THAT I NEED A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE. THEY INDICATEDED THAT THE PREVIOUS ENGINE HAD ROD BEARINGS WITH EXCESSIVE PLAY.I BELIEVE THAT HAD I BEEN TRAVELING AT THE TIME OF THE ENGINE FAILURE THAT THE ENGINE COULD HAVE LOCKED UP CREATING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAYY.*AK

Aug 13, 2000

+ 5 more complaints for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

8 complaints

1997 EXPEDITION SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DRIVEWAY 45 MINUTES AFTER IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE CAME AND PUT OUT WHAT WAS ALMOST A CATASTROPHIC HOUSE FIRE. THE TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. TO REPLACE IT WITH SOMETHING COMPARABLE WE BOUGHT A 99 EXPEDITION. WE WERE OUT $8000 IN THE TRADE. THE OLDER EXPEDITION HAD ONE CAR PAYMENT LEFT ON IT BEFORE THE FIRE. NOW I AM HORRIFIED THAT WE HAVE ANOTHER ON IN THE DRIVEWAY.*AK

Jan 28, 2005

Fire: 1

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

Feb 14, 2001

Fire: 1

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR AT 15 MPH OR LESS ABS LIGHT & AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. ALSO, RADIO WENT DEAD AND VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING. NOTICED SMOKE FROM HOOD. TOWED TO DEALER ,AND WAS INFORMED OF AN ELECTRICAL MELTDOWN. *AK

Feb 15, 2000

THE IGNITION SYSTEM INSIDE THE DESTRIBUTOR HAS GONE OUT ON MY CAR 4 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

Jan 11, 2000

DISTRIBUTOR CAP FAILED SEVERAL TIMES.

Nov 18, 1998

+ 3 more complaints for this component

POWER TRAIN

8 complaints

VEHICLE HAS HAD (3) TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED WITH ONE OF THE TRANSMISSIONS LOSING A PIN, RESULTING IN SYSTEM HAVING POWER FAILURE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK

Jul 23, 2002

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.

Nov 08, 2001

CAR WILL NOT STAY IN 2ND GEAR WHEN TEMPERATURE IS LESS THAN 20 DEGREES..IT GOES INTO NEUTRAL WHEN PULLING OUT OF INTERSECTIONS. HAS DONE THIS SINCE NEW AND DEALER SAYS SORRY.

Sep 01, 2000

AFTER FRED FIRST MECHANIC REPAIRED TRANSAXLE, I EXAMINED THE FOUR SPIDER GEARS FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL. THEY WERE WORN COMPLETELY, AS IF FROM SEVERE ABUSE. HOWEVER, I AM THE SOLE DRIVER AND I KNOW THERE WAS NO ABUSE. EVEN THE MECHANIC COMMENTED THAT WHEN HE SEES ABUSE, SOME OTHER PARTS IN THE TRANSAXLE WILL ALSO SHOW ABUSE. HE SAID THAT ALL OF THE OTHER GEARS IN THE TRANSAXLE WERE VIRTUALLY PERFECT. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE DIFFERENTIAL. HOWEVER, FORD(DETROIT) MADE ME PAY A $305 WARRANTY ADJUSTMENT FEE BECAUSE I WAS 3000 MILES PAST WARRANTY. I SAVED ABOUT $400 DOLLARS. I FEEL THAT THE PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BECAUSE IT WAS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. *AK

Aug 14, 2000

WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY HEARD ALOT OF LOUD NOISE AND CLUNKING. CONTACTED DEALER, THEY FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY AND GAVE CONSUMER ANOTHER 12,000 MILES OF WARRANTY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER ABOUT 33,000 MILES. CONSUMER DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT. *AK

Feb 04, 2000

+ 3 more complaints for this component

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

7 complaints

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

Apr 02, 2007

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

Jan 22, 2003

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.

Nov 27, 2001

WHILE TRAVELING SMELLED FUEL IN SIDE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEAE PFROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Nov 08, 2000

I OWN A 1997 FORD ASPIRE. THE FUEL PUMP HAS GONE OUT. THE CAR IS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD. I TOOK IT TO SOUTHBAY FORD IN HAWTHORNE, CA AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME 1.200.00 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT REPLACED. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY COULDN'T HELP ME SINCE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I OWNLY HAVE 51,434 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE HEARD ABOUT FORD CHARGING ASTRONOMICAL FIGURE ON THE ASPIRE. ESPECIALLY SICNCE THE CAR IS NO LONGER SOLD IN AMERICA. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A TUNE UP. FOR FAILED TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM THEN. PLEASE RESPOND BACK TO MY COMPLAINT. I FEEL THAT I AM BEING ROBBED BLIND FOR A SIMPLE FUEL PUMP REPAIR. THANK YOU CHRIS JOHNSON. *AK

Jan 02, 2000

+ 2 more complaints for this component

STEERING

4 complaints

DRIVER SIDE TIE-ROD SEPERATION '97 FORD EXPEDITION WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH ON HIGHWAY. LOSE OF STEERING CONTROL. SERIOUS ACCIDENT AVOIDED ONLY BECAUSE OF EMERGENCY BRAKING.

Jul 27, 2005

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

Sep 12, 2001

WHEN TURNING LEFT, STEERING LOCKED IN LEFT TURN. TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE FAR RIGHT DID NOT CORRECT LEFT TURN CONDITION. ACCIDENT RESULTED IN CAR OVERTURNING - DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY INSURANCE COMPANY

Aug 28, 2000

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS YET TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Sep 22, 1999

WHEELS

4 complaints

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

Apr 04, 2005

RIGHT FRONT WHEEL IS BROKEN

Oct 14, 2000

RIGHT FRONT WHEEL IS BROKEN. *AK

Oct 14, 2000

FRONT LEFT WHEEL HAS CRACKED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN. DEALER CAN'T FIX IT. *AK

Feb 01, 2000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

4 complaints

PROBLEMS WITH RUBBER HOSE, RUST AND CORROSION TO THE METALLIC BRAKE LINES.*MR *CB

Jul 28, 2003

NO SUMMARY.

Aug 30, 2000

FRONT BRAKES EXPERIENCING A "GROANING" NOISE. *YC

Feb 01, 1999

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED, DAMAGING DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEM.

Aug 25, 1998

STRUCTURE

4 complaints

I FIXED THIS ONCE WITH GLUE AND REPLACED. THE ACTUATOR BROKE THE DOOR AGAIN. THIS CAN BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM CONSIDERING IF WILL MAKE WINDOW DEFROSTER NON FUNCTIONAL. *AK

Dec 10, 2001

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE WHEN DRVING, THE DOOR OPENS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE DOOR HINGE. *AK

Sep 22, 1999

DOORS LEAK WATER THROUGH MIRRORS ONTO SPEAKERS IN DOORS, SHORTING THEM OUT STEREO. OWNER RENTED AN IDENTICAL MAKE AND MODEL AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS.

Dec 29, 1997

THIS IS A RENTAL VEHICLE AND WHILE GOING 40MPH THE HOOD FLEW UP, HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND THEN FLEW OFF THE CAR. THE HOOD WAS MAKING A POPPING NOISE PRIOR TO ACCIDENT. *AK

Jul 07, 1997

VISIBILITY

3 complaints

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

Jun 27, 2002

WINDSHIELD CRACKED DUE TO SMALL ROCK HITTING IT. 2ND TIME A CINDER HIT WINDSHIELD, BROKE AGAIN. DEALER SAID THAT THEY ARE PUTTING IN WEAKER GLASS DUE TO THE ECOMONY. THIS DEFECT COULD RESULT INIJURIES. *AK

Jan 06, 1998

REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. MJS

Oct 22, 1997

TIRES

2 complaints

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

Sep 15, 2008

THIS IS THE SECOND FIRESTONE TIRE IN A WEEK THAT HAS HAD THE TREAD COME OFF. WE HAVE OVER ONE HUNDRED OF THESE TIRES ON OUR FLEET AND NEED TO DECIDE IF WE SHOULD REMOVE THEM.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT225/75R1 )

Sep 19, 2000

SUSPENSION

2 complaints

DESIGN OF FRONT END SUSPENSION IS VERY LOW WHICH CAUSES THE FRONT END TO SCAPE THE CURB WHEN PARKING. *YC

Feb 01, 1999

SUSPENSION FAILED RESULTING IN TIRE WEAR.

Oct 27, 1997

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

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

May 07, 2003

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS

1 complaint

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

Oct 18, 2002

STEERING,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

1 complaint

I AM GETTING IN TOUCH WITH YOU TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE AFTER MARKET STEERING EXTENSION DEVICE PUT ON ALOT OF HANDICAPPED VEHICLES, THIS PART IS PUT ON THESE CARS AND TRUCKS TO HELP ASSIST THE DRIVER IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL . THE PROBLEM WITH THIS PART IS THAT IS NOT SAFE . WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TAKEN OFF OF THE SPLINED SHAFT THE NEW PIECE IS PUT ON AND DOES NOT EVEN HAVE A SPLINED CENTER TO FIT TIGHT ON THE SHAFT AND THE ONLY OTHER THING TO HOLD IT TIGHT IS 2 SET SCREWS. IF ONE OF THESE SET SCREWS WOULD WORK LOSE OR IF THE STEERING WHEEL WERE TURNED TO HARD THESE SET SCREWS WOULD WORK LOOSE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN BUT THE WHEELS WOULDN'T , OR THE OTHER WAY AROUND . I HAVE TALKED TO A AUTO REPAIR SPECIALIST ALONG WITH THE HEAD MECHANIC SUPERVISOR AT A FORD DEALERSHIP AND BOTH MEN SAID THAT THIS PART IS NOT VERY SAFE AND THEY WOULD NT WANT IT ON THEIR CAR OR TRUCK , I ALSO TALKED TO THE PERSON WHO INSTALLED THIS PART HE NO LONGER USES THIS ALUMINUM PART BECAUSE IT IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR THIS KIND OF STRESS THAT A STEERING WHEEL GOES THROUGH . I HOPE THAT YOU CAN MAKE THESE PARTS REPLACED BY THE COMPANIES SO THAT NO ONE WITH A MODIFIED HANDICAPPED STEERING COLUMN EXTENSION DOES NOT GET KILLED OR KILL SOMEONE ELSE , I WAS LUCKY TO FIND IT EARLY BUT MAYBE SOME ONE ELSE WON'T BE. THANK YOU SINCERELY [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Feb 15, 2002

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

THERE IS A FUEL SMELL COMING FOM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAMES ON. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Jul 11, 2001

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

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.

Jan 24, 2001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

DISTRIBUTOR SHORTED OUT/ MULTI FUCTION SWITCH MALFUCTIONED/ ALTERNATOR MALFUCTION ALTENATOR BROKE OFF HOUSING. *AK

Dec 08, 2000

SUSPENSION,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

HAD BATTERY, FUEL PUMP, AND EVEN STARTER REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO RESULTS. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNCOOPERATIVE, WORRIED MORE ABOUT MONEY THAN SOLVING PROBLEM.

Sep 20, 2000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,TIRES

1 complaint

HAVE HAD RECENT OIL LEAK AND AS OF 08/24/00 WHITE SMOKE BLOWING OUT OF EXHAUST ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES ON.. I HAVE HAD AIRCONDITIONING LEAKING INTO PASSANGER SIDE SO IT CANT BE USED, I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED MY CAR AT EVERY 3 MONTHS.. THE BRAKE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED FIRST MONTH I OWED CAR AND ONLY WHEN IT RAINED WHICH CAUSED A WRECK ON 09/99 DUE TO NO BRAKES AT THAT TIME. HAVE HAD FRONT BREAKS REPLACED. MECHANIC SAID HE COULDNT SEE ANY WEAR ON THEM BUT NEED REPLACED.. MY TURN SIGNALS FUSES REPLACED ABOUT 4 OR 5 TIMES , 3 WKS AGO HAD THEM REPLACED AND NOW HAVE NO TURN SIGNALS. ..( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 16570/13 )

Aug 24, 2000

Crash: 1

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

HAVE HAD PROBLEM SINCE THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT THIS CAR, CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS.. AM NOW LEAKING OIL AND LOSING COOLANT

Aug 22, 2000

SEATS

1 complaint

RIGHT FRONT , LEFT FRONT SEAT BROKE BOTH OF THEM. *AK

May 24, 2000

Crash: 1

Injuries: 3

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE SHAKES, AND THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. ALSO,AIR BAG LIGHT/ ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ARE ON. *AK

Sep 29, 1999

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED "LOOSE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WHERE THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE GEARS. ALSO, AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND DEALER REPLACED IT, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. IN ADDITION, KEY BREAKS IN THE DOOR LOCKS/ VEHICLE IDLES AND STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY/DRIVER'S SEAT IS VERY LOOSE, DEALER TIGHTENED THE SEAT,BUT PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING/, AND ALL DOORS WERE NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY. OCCUPANT NEEDED TO SLAM THE DOOR AND CUT HER FINGER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Jul 23, 1999

EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

CROSS BARS ON LUGGAGED RACK CAME LOOSE AND THE FRONT FASTENERS FELL OUT, CAUSING OBJECTS TO FALL ONTO ROADWAY.

Aug 25, 1998

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES. VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER CAR. BEFORE THE DRIVER HIT OTHER VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HIT OTHER VEHICLE. *AK

Jul 15, 1998

Crash: 1

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

FUEL VAPORS, ARE NOTICEABLE WHEN ENTERING VEHICLE AFTER BEING PARKED. DEALERS HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS, INCLUDING FUEL VAPOR CANISTER. PROBLEM REMAINS. *AK

Jun 25, 1998

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY

1 complaint

VENTILATION SYSTEM DRAWS EXHAUST FUMES INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

May 26, 1998

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4.6/5.0

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 1997 FORD Aspire have?

The 1997 FORD Aspire currently has 82 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 1997 FORD Aspire?

The most common problems reported for the 1997 FORD Aspire are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 1997 FORD Aspire problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 1997 FORD Aspire comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.