Ford Aspire Complaints (1994)

54 consumer complaints on file.

#10018378May 7, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10018382May 7, 2003
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#766841September 7, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
MY NAME IS [XXX], THE MOTHER OF [XXX]. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW. THE FAN FAILED WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR I OWNED IT AND THE DEALERSHIP FIXED IT. [XXX] HAS OWNED THE CAR FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW, AND THE FAN WENT OUT AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME THE RELAY TO THE FAN MELTED. IN CHECKING WITH THE HAYNES BOOK ON THIS CAR, IT STATES TO WATCH FOR BURN HOLES IN THE CARPET AND SMOKING WIRING UNDER THE DASH BECAUSE OF THIS. OUR FEAR IS AFTER GETTING IT FIXED IT WILL DO IT AGAIN AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE. FORD IS NOT WILLING TO HELP US IN ANY WAY, AS THE WARRANTY IS UP AND THEY STATED THEY COULDN'T FIX IT PERMANENTLY ANYWAY. IT WOULD BE A LOST CAUSE. WE CAN FIX IT THROUGH FORD AND IF IT EVER IS RECALLED WE COULD BE REIMBURSED, BUT OUR FEAR IS THAT IT COULD CAUSE A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD IN THE FUTURE, JUST AS IT DID NOW AND MOST PROBABLY WHEN IT WAS FIXED THE FIRST TIME. MY HUSBAND IS CHECKING WITH FORD TO SEE IF THEY HAVE A RECORD OF THE FIRST TIME THE FAN WAS REPLACED AND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT THEN, ALTHOUGH THE SYMPTOMS WERE THE SAME THEN AS NOW. IT SEEMS THE OLDER THE CAR IS THE BETTER CHANCE THERE IS OF THIS THING CATCHING FIRE. PLEASE LOOK INTO IT FOR US AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#566199June 24, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#761041April 22, 2002
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#564244February 12, 2002
TIRES, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE DEALER PUT COOPER COBRA TIRES (NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION MENTIONED) ON THE VEHICLE, WHICH WERE DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE TO SHAKE, THE DEALER PUT DEFECTIVE TIRES ON THE REAR AXLE, BUT THE CONDITION STILL EXISTED, FINALLY, THE CONSUMER HAD ANOTHER DEALER REPLACE THE COOPER COBRA TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND AND THE CONDITION WAS RESOLVED. *TT ALSO THE THERMOSTAT WAS INSTALLED, BECAUSE THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO THERMOSTAT. *JB THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. REFER TO RECALL #'S 9V141000 AND 9V186000. *SCC JB *CB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#891435June 27, 2001
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
THREADS ON THE JACK SCREW BOLTS ARE STRIPPED. JACK WON'T GO UP OR DOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#738524December 30, 2000
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#737118December 1, 2000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS ENTERING THE OUTERBELT AT CLEVELAND AVENUE & I-270W, AND AS I STARTED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR GOT UP TO ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP AND THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED TO SLOW. I HAD MY TWO CHILDREN, WHITNEY AGE 8 AND BRITTANY AGE 15 IN THE CAR WITH ME. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT, BUT I REALIZED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I SPENT ABOUT $1,600.00 ON A USED TRANSMISSION AND THE OWNER EXPLAINED TO ME THAT DEALERS MAKE THE TRANSMISSION TO ONLY LAST ABOUT 3 YEARS, SO THEY CAN EITHER CHARGE YOU TO REPLACE IT OR TAKE YOUR CAR FROM YOU IF IT IS FINANCED, BECAUSE FOR THE MOST PART IT IS DIFFICULT TO COME UP WITH THAT KIND OF MONEY ON SHORT NOTICE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AND THE CAR WAS PAID OFF THE NEXT MONTH. I DO BELIEVE THAT THE FORD DEALERSHIP NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THOSE TRANSMISSIONS. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE WINDSTAR IS NOT THE ONLY TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK AT ALL THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THE FORD CARS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#734971October 23, 2000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#866918August 7, 2000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE DISCOLORED, AND DO NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT LIGHTING,CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#864841July 6, 2000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#724499June 25, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
I AM SENDING THIS WITH GREAT CONCERN OVER A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT I FEEL IS VERY DANGEROUS.THE SPOT WELDS ON THE HARNESS THAT HOLDS THE BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDALS BROKE AND CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO HANG UP ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP SAFELY AND NEARLY PUT THE CAR INTO A DITCH. I WAS APPALLED WHEN I REALIZED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE WHOLE HARNESS HAS STRESS FRACTURES AND FROM WHAT I CAN SEE HAS BROKEN ON AT LEAST TWO OF THE SPOT WELDS. HOW COULD A PART THAT WOULD OBVIOUSLY HAVE SO MUCH WEAR AND TEAR AS THE BRAKE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY ONLY BE SPOT WELDED TOGETHER? LET ALONE BE MANUFACTURED OUT OF SUCH THIN METAL? IT WAS POORLY MANUFACTURED AND I BELIEVE THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE INSPECTED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. HAD THIS NOT BEEN A FIVE SPEED I WOULD HAVE HAD NO WAY TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN AND WOULD HAVE SURELY BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM AFRAID OF THE CAR AND I HOPE FORD WILL ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX IT BECAUSE THIS IN NO WAY IS USER ERROR. IT IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT/ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW THAT NO CONSUMER SHOUD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. IT WAS A POOR CHOICE OF COST CUTTING TO ONLY SPOT WELD THIS PART TOGETHER . IT PLAINLY IS A DANGEROUS SAFELY ISSUE FOR ANYONE OPERATING ONE OF THESE CARS. I HOPE NO ONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT BECAUSE ANY MORE OF THESE WELDS BREAK AND CAUSE SOMEONE TO BE UNABLE TO STOP SAFELY. AS OF RIGHT NOW BOTH THE CLUTCH CABLE AND PEDAL DO NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY AND THE BRAKE PEDAL REPEATEDLY HITS THE STEERING COLUMN PREVENTING IT FROM BEING ABLE TO DEPRESS FAR ENOUGH TO FULLY STOP THE CAR. I PRAY I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS RUN INTO THIS PROBLEM, BUT I FEEL THIS NEEDS PROMPT ATTENTION AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED BY ONE OF THESE CARS DUE TO THIS MECHANICAL ERROR. THIS ASSEMBLY NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN "GLUED" TOGETHER WITH AN OBVIOUSLY WEAK SPOT WELD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#723302May 29, 2000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITH A FRONT END COLLISION WITH DEER AT @40MPH. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#722481May 10, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DURING HOT WEATHER AND WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVING A LONG TIME, ENGINE WILL NOT START AFTER IT'S BEEN SHUT OFF. HAVE TO KEEP TRYING BEFORE IT FINALLY ENGAGES. HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. IT'S NOT A DEAD BATTERY, THE ENGINE WILL NOT ENGAGE UNTIL SEVERAL TRIES ARE MADE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#551947April 20, 2000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE PLASTIC COVERING OVER THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE FADED CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. *MJS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#720946April 3, 2000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE PLASTIC COVERINGS OVER THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE FADED TO THE POINT WHERE THE HEADLIGHTS SHINE VERY DIM AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THIS OCCURRED APPROX 1 YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER BUT THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY RECALLS FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THE COST TO REPLACE THESE LAMPS ARE OUTRAGEOUS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#855348January 21, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#838957July 7, 1999
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#840549June 21, 1999
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION
THERE IS VERY LOUD RAMBLING NOISE WHICH GETS HIGHER AS THE VEHICLE PICKS UP SPEED. ALSO, CRASH BARRIERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, AND THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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