1996 Ford Aspire Problems
- Complaints
- 33filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 83,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 33 mpgcombined, 1.3L 4-cyl FWD · 29 city / 38 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Ford Aspire (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1996 Ford Aspire. The part named most often is brakes, with 8 complaints (24% of the total), followed by air bags (6) and electrical system (5). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 83,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes8 24%
- Air bags6 18%
- Electrical system5 15%
- Fuel system3 9.1%
- Suspension3 9.1%
- Seat belts2 6.1%
- Steering2 6.1%
- Engine cooling1 3.0%
Also reported: Tires (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “The contact stated without warning the brakes and steering failed, while driving 5-10 MPH. The vehicle ran into a brick wall and there was damage to the front end of the vehicle. There was a police report taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle has not been inspected by a mechanic. Also, at 14,000 miles while driving 15 MPH the vehicle stopped. The engine was still on, but the vehicle would not move. The dealership determined the transmission needed to be replaced. This happened again at 40,000 miles and the transmission was replaced by the dealership. …”
NHTSA complaint #10150215, filed 2006-02, 83,000 milesAir bags: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #821402, filed 1998-02Electrical system: “My Aspire exhibited a number of component failures, and I consider myself lucky not to have been injured by them. In the first instance, the distriubutor failure occurred as I entered an intersection, and as a result the car stalled at the light not in the traffic lane. In the second instance, the steering component failure occurred on the highway resulting in significant vibration but I was able to control the car and take it into the dealer for repairs. …”
NHTSA complaint #737677, filed 2000-12Transmission and drivetrain: “I've experienced three transmission failures since I've owned the Ford Aspire. Within one year of ownership, the transmission failed twice within months of each other. This year (99), it failed for the third time. It was still under factory warranty the first two times it went out. This car is a safety hazard that will cause potential road injury to myself and/or family members, and other motorists. It has gone out while merging with traffic, so far god has spared our lives from a fatal accident that is waiting to happen. …”
NHTSA complaint #716119, filed 1999-12Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 83,000 and 83,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Ford Aspire. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspire · sedan | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1996 Ford Aspire version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspire FWD | 1.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 29 | 38 | 33 | $2,050 |
| Aspire FWD | 1.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 25 | 31 | 28 | $2,400 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1996 Ford Aspire in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- PE98040Fuel vapor valve leaksClosed · Jul 15, 1998
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1996 Ford Aspire.
Other model years of the Ford Aspire
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 60 | 96,500 | 0 | — | 33 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 33 | 83,000 | 0 | — | 33 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 64 | 84,124 | 0 | — | 33 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 54 | 83,750 | 2 | — | 34 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Ford Aspire model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Ford Aspire have?
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1996 Ford Aspire as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Ford Aspire is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 8 complaints (24% of the total), followed by air bags with 6.
Has the 1996 Ford Aspire been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Ford Aspire get?
The EPA rates the 1996 Ford Aspire (Aspire, 1.3L 4-cyl) at 33 mpg combined, 29 city and 38 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Ford Aspire reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 83,000 miles and the middle half falls between 83,000 and 83,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.