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1995 Ford Aspire

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1995 Aspire.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1995 Ford Aspire is a passenger car equipped with a 3-speed automatic transmission, specified for 3.6 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil and rated by the EPA at 25 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. Within the 1994–1997 Aspire production run, 1995 stands as the peak year for owner complaints at 100 filings—nearly double the 54 logged for 1996—with air bags accounting for the largest share of those reports. The model has been subject to zero recalls across this period, a notable contrast that makes the 1995 model year a focal point for any researcher tracing complaint volume against formal regulatory action.

Model year1997 1996 1995 1994

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.6 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque65-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy25/31/28 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 460 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 460 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnTAILOEM · verified

Tire size165-70R13OEM · verified

Wheel / rim4.5-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 3-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	152.8 in
Overall width	65.4 in
Overall height	55.5 in
Wheelbase	90.9 in
Curb weight	2004 lb
Track (front / rear)	55.5 / 55.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	25 / 31 / 28 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.6 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	3.6 qt

Engine torques

Clutch Pressure Plate Bolts	13.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14-20 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	12-17 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14-20 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	12-17 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	40.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0-30.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

65-87 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	AT: 750, MT: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)	AT: 750, MT: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)	50 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0-16.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.50-1.60 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	YN-12-D
Oil Capacity	7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	460 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	11-15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	190 °F
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in
Exhaust Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle	29-36 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.080; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.866 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.866 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.817 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.787 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

22.0-25.0

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	35-40 ft. lbs.	35–40 ft. lbs
2	56-60

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi.

At 5,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Wheel Lug Nut (torque)
Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Wheel Lug Nut (torque)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Ignition Timing (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace)
At 120,000 mi	Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1995 Ford Aspire stands out with the highest complaint count in the generation at 100, compared to 61 for 1994, 54 for 1996, and 82 for 1997. While it had no recalls—unlike the 1994 model with two—its 78 TSBs align with the rising trend seen in 1996 (78) and 1997 (83). The top complaint area is Air Bags with 22 reports, and the vehicle also recorded 25 crash complaints and 2 fire complaints. This spike in complaints, especially in safety-related categories, suggests the 1995 model year may be more problematic than its peers. Based on the data, a buyer should likely avoid the 1995 Aspire and consider a lower-complaint year like 1996.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

100

Owner complaints

25 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’94’95’96 ’97

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 100 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags22

Electrical System11

Power Train10

Engine & Engine Cooling9

Visibility7

Service Brakes, Hydraulic5

Steering4

Exterior Lighting4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 78 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
4102	2003-10-30	Engine And Engine Cooling	EBP SOLENOID SERVICE SEPARATELY FROM TURBO. SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE. MAKE/MODEL UNKNOWN…
03148	2003-07-21	Power Train	NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES…
16714	2003-03-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	FOR ALL OBDI VEHICLES THAT USE THE .5V DPFE SENSOR, A 1.0V SENSOR IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY…
02176	2002-09-02	Exterior Lighting	LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ
01181	2001-09-17	Power Train	BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Aspire. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 35 battery Vehicles taking 3.6 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1995 Aspire take?

3.6 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1995 Aspire have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Aspire get?

EPA figures are 25 city / 31 highway / 28 combined mpg.