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Ford AerostarYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 2,311 NHTSA owner complaints across 15 model years, no Ford Aerostar year stands out as one to avoid, and the strongest years are 1986, 1987, 1996 and 1997. The Aerostar has 23 safety recalls on record.

Years to avoidNoneUse caution: 1989, 1992, 1993Best years'86 '87 '96 '97Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints2,311Top: Electrical systemSafety recalls231986–2000 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Ford Aerostar years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Aerostar median. Tap a year for its full report.

'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2000Not rated–/1006 complaints · 0 recalls1999Not rated–/1007 complaints · 0 recalls1998Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls1997Best80/10063 complaints · 3 recalls1996Best70/100104 complaints · 4 recalls1995Solid57/100157 complaints · 5 recalls1994Solid45/100257 complaints · 3 recalls1993Caution37/100374 complaints · 2 recalls1992Caution42/100317 complaints · 3 recalls1991Solid43/100223 complaints · 3 recalls1990Solid46/100195 complaints · 6 recalls1989Caution40/100260 complaints · 5 recalls1988Solid54/100177 complaints · 4 recalls1987Solid60/100114 complaints · 4 recalls1986Best77/10053 complaints · 7 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Ford Aerostar problems

All model years combined: 2,311 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system611337
Power train38553
Service brakes, hydraulic26146
Fuel system, gasoline19931
Engine and engine cooling19262
Air bags13673
Vehicle speed control13458
Seat belts12915
Steering10115
18 other systems60471
23 recalls

Ford Aerostar recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Vehicle speed control: cables00V-425 · 1997 · Dec 26, 2000 · 36,500 vehicles–Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)99V-094 · 1992 · Apr 28, 1999 · 10,951 vehicles–Ignition: switch99V-029 · 1992–1997 · Feb 9, 1999 · 762,201 vehicles–Wiring: front underhood99V-028 · 1994–1995 · Feb 9, 1999 · 23,097 vehicles–Storage: tank assembly98V-190 · 1988–1990 · Aug 11, 1998 · 140,000 vehicles–Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)97V-204 · 1992–1997 · Nov 13, 1997 · 75,000 vehicles–Other: labels96V-161 · 1996 · Aug 29, 1996 · 134,770 vehicles–Electrical system: ignition96V-071 · 1988–1991 · Apr 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles–Doors: latch96V-070 · 1996 · Apr 22, 1996 · 73,500 vehicles–Other: labels95V-037 · 1995 · Feb 28, 1995 · 12,000 vehicles–Mechanical: carrier/rack94V-239 · 1995 · Dec 1, 1994 · 9,400 vehicles–Power train: automatic transmission91V-189 · 1989–1991 · Nov 4, 1991 · 792,000 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 23 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

31 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Aerostar

  1. LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT DOOR DROPS ABRUPTLYPE02076 · 1992–1994 · closed Mar 10, 2003
    No recall
  2. FRONT BRAKE HOSEPE99035 · 1992 · closed Sep 23, 1999
    No recall
  3. TRANSFER CASES AND REAR DRIVE SHAFTEA99002 · 1990–1997 · closed Nov 14, 2000
    Led to recall 99V-094
  4. TRANSFER CASES AND REAR DRIVESHAFTRQ98012 · 1992–1997 · closed Jan 7, 1999
    Led to recall 97V-204
  5. FUEL SENDER ASSEMBLY FIRESEA98016 · 1993–1995 · closed Feb 12, 1999
    Led to recall 99V-028
  6. FUEL SENDER ASSEMBLY FIRESPE98010 · 1993–1994 · closed Jul 14, 1998
    No recall
  7. PARKING PAWLRQ97015 · 1991–1992 · closed Apr 1, 1999
    Led to recall 91V-189
  8. CRACKED FUEL TANKSEA96030 · 1988–1990 · closed Aug 13, 1998
    Led to recall 98V-190
  9. CRACKED FUEL TANKSPE96050 · 1988–1990 · closed Dec 20, 1996
    No recall
  10. SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREEA94025 · 1987–1989 · closed Sep 30, 1997
    No recall