1996 Ford Aspire: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 33 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2003
“Ignition switch was replaced on january 4, 1999. Consumer was unable to get key out of ignition. Key was stuck in the on position.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2001
“While passenger's side window was rolled down it exploded. Also, driver's side window exploded prior to this. Manufacturer has been notified. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · May 1999
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 1999
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 1998
“Car smells like gasoline most of the time inside. Dealer contacted, and cannot remedy the problem. Problem still exists. Problem further information. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 1998
“When the driver's seat belt retracted it shattered the window , causing minor injuries to the driver. Dealer will be notified. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 1998
“Windshield wiper linkage pivot assembly malfunctioned, causing the windshield wipers to fail 3 times in the last 18 months. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 1998
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 1998
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 1998
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 1996 Ford Aspire reliable?
NHTSA has 33 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Ford Aspire. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Aspire problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 83,000 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.