1997 Ford Aspire problems
The 1997 Ford Aspire has 88 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (16%) concerns air bags. After that come electrical system (16%) and fuel system (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 88 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 16% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 12 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 7 and 1
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What the data shows
Safety-related details: 12 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 7 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 4 model years of the Ford Aspire with enough data (64 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
When turning left, steering locked in left turn. Turning steering wheel to the far right did not correct left turn condition. Accident resulted in car overturning - declared a total loss by insurance company
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.
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.
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.