Model year guide

1997 Ford Aspire

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Ford Aspire is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.

1997 Ford Aspire — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1997 Ford Aspire at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints82
Combined30 mpg

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

1997 Ford Aspire recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1997 Ford Aspire.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

1997 Ford Aspire common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 82 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

1997 Ford Aspire MPG & running costs

Combined30 mpg
City27 mpg
Highway34 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,100

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1997 Ford Aspire costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$10,500
Fuel only$10,500
Per mile$0.14

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1997 Ford Aspire trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
1.3L 4-cyl 63 hp

1997 Ford Aspire vehicles on record

1997 Ford Aspire 1997 Ford Aspire BaseKNJLT05H0V6208240 1997 Ford Aspire 1997 Ford Aspire BaseKNJLT05H8V6214867 1997 Ford Aspire BaseKNJLT05H5V6232923

Other Ford Aspire model years

1995

1997 Ford Aspire — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Ford Aspire have any safety recalls?

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1997 Ford Aspire.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford Aspire?

Based on 82 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, fuel system, gasoline.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Ford Aspire get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 1997 Ford Aspire at about 30 mpg combined (27 city / 34 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.