1997 Ford Aspire: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 60 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (18% of complaints); the 1996 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
60
owner complaints
2
fire reports
96,500
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No recall campaignsProblems tend to appear late (median 96,500 mi)2 fire reports
Common problems
Computed from 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)18% · 10 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)16% · 9 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)14% · 8 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline (fuel pump, tank, lines)14% · 8 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)11% · 6 complaints
Wheels (wheels, lug nuts, bearings)7% · 4 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”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2008
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2007
“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”Owner report · Wheels · Jan 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 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”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2003
“Consumer stated that while driving and without warning the fuel tank has cracked causing fluid to leak out. Dealer notified. Ts”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2003
“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”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2002
“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”Owner report · Wheels · Oct 2002
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · May 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.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 1997 Ford Aspire reliable?
NHTSA has 60 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Ford Aspire. The most complained-about area is air bags (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Aspire problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 96,500 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.