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1986 Ford AerostarProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 53 owner complaints about the 1986 Ford Aerostar, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

77
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years69% below the Aerostar median · #11 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints5325 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem20Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 24, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Ford Aerostar has problems

53 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 system2015
Engine and engine cooling116
Power train70
Seat belts51
Fuel system, gasoline41
Steering30
Equipment20
Vehicle speed control22
Service brakes, hydraulic11
5 other systems50

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

7 recalls

1986 Ford Aerostar recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

Recall 90V-021 · Feb 8, 1990 · 91,000 vehicles

Risk. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: anchorage

Recall 89V-226 · Dec 18, 1989 · 118,787 vehicles

Risk. DAMAGE TO BELT WEBBING COULD WEAKEN BELTS TO POINT OFFAILURE INCREASING RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT OR A SUDDEN STOP.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Seats

Recall 88V-145 · Sep 2, 1988 · 90,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH MAY CREATESUFFICIENT HEAT TO START A FIRE IN THE SEAT CUSHION PAD AND/OR TRIM COVER.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Electrical system: wiring

Recall 88V-091 · Jun 6, 1988 · 60,000 vehicles

Risk. SHOULD A SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THE WIRING WITHIN THERELAY OR IF WATER INTRUSION OCCURS THE SMALLER GAUGE WIRE IN THE RELAY WILLFUNCTION AS A FUSE LINK AND…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 87V-139 · Sep 4, 1987 · 3,600,000 vehicles

Risk. COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other Aerostar year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Aerostar median. How we score

'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
17 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Ford Aerostar, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA87020 · closed Sep 24, 1987
    Led to recall 87V-139
  2. REAR BRAKE LOCKUPEA88027 · closed Sep 15, 1988
    No recall
  3. DOOR FALLS OFFEA88028 · closed Jul 31, 1989
    No recall
  4. UNDER SEAT FIRESEA88033 · closed Jan 23, 1989
    Led to recall 88V-145
  5. FILLER PIPE SEALEA88041 · closed May 11, 1990
    Led to recall 90V-021
  6. WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOREA89021 · closed May 4, 1990
    No recall
  7. SAFETY BELT FRAYINGEA89032 · closed Apr 5, 1990
    Led to recall 89V-226
  8. THROTTLE STICKINGEA90042 · closed Dec 31, 1991
    No recall
  9. LIFTGATE FAILUREEA91015 · closed Sep 20, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-136
  10. REAR BRAKE LOCKUPPE87052 · closed Mar 4, 1988
    No recall
  11. CRNKSHFT PULLEY BOLT FAILRPE88026 · closed Apr 27, 1988
    No recall
  12. FUEL LEAKAGEPE88048 · closed Sep 15, 1988
    No recall
  13. WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTORPE89010 · closed Mar 23, 1989
    No recall
  14. SEAT BELT CUTTINGPE89021 · closed Aug 3, 1989
    No recall
  15. POWER STEERING LOCKINGPE89092 · closed Jul 20, 1989
    No recall
  16. LIFTGATE FAILUREPE91005 · closed Feb 1, 1991
    No recall
  17. PARK PAWL BENDINGPE91127 · closed Nov 8, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-189
In owners' words

What Aerostar owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING WHILE BEING DRIVEN, THEN WHEN IT WAS PARKED THE VEHICLE WENT UP IN FLAMES. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Complaint 983453 · Apr 24, 1996
WHILE DRIVING NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, STOPPED VEHICLE AND NOTICED FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK
Complaint 983427 · Apr 24, 1996
PARKED VEHICLE IN GARAGE;TURNED OFF IGNITION;REMOVED KEY;LATER, NOTICED FLASH OF LIGHT; CHECK GARAGE/VEHICLE, BLACK SMOKE/FLAMES COMING FROM FRONT INSIDE OF CAR
Complaint 978981 · Feb 9, 1996

Own a 1986 Aerostar?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.