FORD ASPIRE · model year

1994 FORD ASPIRE

67 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1994FORDASPIRE carries 67 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 18 crashes, 2 fires, 16 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1994 ASPIRE is air bags:frontal with 16 filings, followed by exterior lighting:headlights (6) and visibility:windshield (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 1994 ASPIRE, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

67
Complaints
18
Crashes
2
Fires
16
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

67 filings

Crashes Reported

18 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL16
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS6
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD4
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION2
POWER TRAIN2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
TIRES2
SEATS1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
STEERING:LINKAGES1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM1

Recent Complaints

20030507ENGINE 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

20030507UNKNOWN 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

Mileage: 83,750

20020911ENGINE 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, AL

20020702FireENGINE 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

20020514TIRES

DEALER PUT COOPER COBRA TIRES (NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION MENTIONED) ON VEHICLE THAT WERE DEFECTIVE WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE TO SHAKE, DEALER PUT DEFECTIVE TIRES ON REAR AXLE, BUT CONDITION STILL EXISTED, FINALLY CONSUMER HAD ANOTHER DEALER REPLACE COOPER COBRA TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND AND NOW CONDITION IS RESOLVED. *TT

20020425CrashSEAT 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

20020307TIRES

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

20020307ENGINE 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

20010627EQUIPMENT: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

20010117VISIBILITY: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

20001213POWER 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

20001027POWER 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

20000807EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE DISCOLORED, AND DO NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT LIGHTING,CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. *AK

20000706EXTERIOR 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

20000630SERVICE 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 ERR

20000623CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITH A FRONT END COLLISION WITH DEER AT @40MPH. *AK

20000519ELECTRICAL 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.

20000508EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

THE PLASTIC COVERING OVER THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE FADED CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. *MJS

20000411EXTERIOR 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

20000121ENGINE 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

Compare 1994FORDASPIRE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1994 FORD ASPIRE have?
The 1994 FORD ASPIRE has 67 NHTSA complaints, 18 crashes, 2 fires, 16 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 FORD ASPIRE?
The most-complained component for the 1994 FORD ASPIRE is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL with 16 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS and VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD.
Is the 1994 FORD ASPIRE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.