Most common 1996 Ford Aspire problems
Share of the 33 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Aspire complaints by model year
Best Aspire years: 1996. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1996 Ford Aspire:
Fuel vapor valve leaks
There is no summary currently available
What 1996 Ford Aspire owners say
Brakes
Dt*: 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. At 55,000 miles the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop for the same problem and the transmission was rebuilt. The transmission was rebuilt a final time at 65,000 miles. There have been no further problems with the transmission.
At 800 miles, the front rotors warped. They had to be remachined. At 13,000 miles the front rotors warped again. The dealer and Ford motor company refused to fix the problem. At 55 miles an hour the steering wheel shakes. When you make a turn the steering wheel shakes more. At highway driving, when you make a turn or change lanes, the steering is hard to control.
Air 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.
The driver lost control of the vehicle when the right wheel hit a gravel patch and slid into a embankment. The driver side air bag didn't deploy.
Electrical 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. In the third instance, the fuel pump failure caused the car not to start, but from what I understand, the part could have failed during operation and could have caused a stall. I consider myself lucky. Disappointed in the Aspire, but lucky.
Engine cut off while driving driver got out of vehicle and flames were coming from under the hood. Dealer has the vehicle now. The problem has not been corrected.
1996 Ford Aspire engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 29 / 38 / 33 |
| 1.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | FWD | 25 / 31 / 28 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Ford Aspire a good car?
Based on 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Aspire rates better than average: 45% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Aspire at the same age. It is one of the best Aspire years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Ford Aspire?
The brakes — 8 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about foundation components. Next are the air bags (6) and electrical system (5).
How many recalls does the 1996 Ford Aspire have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1996 Ford Aspire. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Aspire?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1996. See the full Ford Aspire years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Aspire problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 83,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.