1994 Ford Aspire: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 54 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (29% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 1994
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“At highway speed the speedometer suddenly began to make a loud, grinding noise. The needle shot up to a speed far higher than the speed of the car. The needled vibrated, then broke off. We were particularly concerned because this speedometer failure was almost an exact duplicate of the speedometer failure on our other ford aspire (see claim # 10018380). We now have two aspires with no speedometers. *jb”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2003
“Aspire is running very bad like missing, seems like its not getting gas. New thing is now it will not start unless you basically flood the car by pumping the gas pedal and that includes while its running. I took it to ford and they don't know what is wrong with the car according to frederick motor company. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2003
“While driving, smoke entered the passenger compartment, vehicle eventually caught on fire, consumer stated transmission started giving out in 4th and 5th gears, possibly engine failure ohio traffic crash report.#10-91-204 *slc”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2002
Show 7 more owner reports
“Front-end collision at 30mph. Wearing safety belt, air-bag deployed. Face still hit steering wheel breaking front of jaw and knocking out teeth. Car was declared totalled.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2001
“The above described glass is not safety, but is only tempered glass. In an accident, the large volume of slivers of glass could have disastrous results. This was a staionary event and, fortunately did not.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Dec 2000
“This is the second time I have had a transmission fail on this car- the third in a ford vehicle I've owned. I also have a friend who drives a new aspire and hers failed too. I took it to garages who refused to work on it because the transmissions in aspires are apparently notoriously bad. My car stopped dead- once on a highway, once on a busy metropolitan street, but clearly it could have stopped anywhere. I contacted ford and they were very rude and made no attempt to help. And at this stage in the goodyear litigation! Please contact me as I feel my car is dangerously defective!*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2000
“Went to have vehicle inspected and it failed due to the lens covering. Color of the lens doesn't allow visible lighting. Contacted dealer. *ak *ml”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2000
“Consumer was driving at 15mph swerved to avoid a byciclist and hit a light pole head-on. During inflation of the air bags they blew out on both side windows, shattering the windows into little pieces. Dealer has not been contacted. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · May 1999
“Noticed a leakage at gasket when filling up the water reservoir and checking engine oil dip stick. When making a right turn or going up a hill around a curve, the driver side has a strange rattling noise on the front tire. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 1998
“Entire passenger door window shattered upon closing the door. Glass showered inside the car as well as in the door and on the ground outside.”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 1998
When filing, owners marked a crash in 16 of these complaints and injuries in 14 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
THE FUEL SUPPLY, RETURN AND VAPOR HOSES OR LINES CAN CONTACT OR HAVE INADEQUATE CLEARANCE WITH THE SURROUNDING COMPONENTS DUE TO IMPROPER POSITIONING DURING ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: THE FUEL LINES WILL BE REPOSITIONED. ANY DAMAGED RUBBER HOSES WILL BE REPLACED. STEEL FUEL LINES WILL HAVE THE CORROSION PROTECTION REPAIRED IF NEEDED.
THE DATES OF MANUFACTURE WERE OMITTED ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH PART 567, "CERTIFICATION."
Remedy: A COMPLETE CERTIFICATION LABEL WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE OWNER OR WILL BE INSTALLED FOR THE OWNER BY THE DEALER, IF NECESSARY.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1994 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Aspire by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1994 Ford Aspire reliable?
NHTSA has 54 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Ford Aspire. The most complained-about area is air bags (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Ford Aspire problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 83,750 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Ford Aspire have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.