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1987 Ford AerostarProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 114 owner complaints about the 1987 Ford Aerostar, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

60
CarFlaw IndexSolid year33% below the Aerostar median · #9 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints11455 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem36Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 3, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 Ford Aerostar has problems

114 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 system3632
Engine and engine cooling2311
Seat belts181
Power train151
Vehicle speed control71
Fuel system, gasoline73
Structure50
Service brakes, hydraulic41
Seats42
4 other systems111

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

4 recalls

1987 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

Hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut

Recall 91V-136 · Aug 19, 1991 · 112,000 vehicles

Risk. IF A BALL STUD FRACTURES, THE LIFTGATE WILL NOT REMAIN INTHE OPEN POSITION.

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

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 →

–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

1987 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
20 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1987 Ford Aerostar, and the recalls they led to.

  1. DOOR FALLS OFFEA88028 · closed Jul 31, 1989
    No recall
  2. ELECTRICAL FIRESEA88030 · closed Jul 13, 1988
    Led to recall 88V-091
  3. UNDER SEAT FIRESEA88033 · closed Jan 23, 1989
    Led to recall 88V-145
  4. FILLER PIPE SEALEA88041 · closed May 11, 1990
    Led to recall 90V-021
  5. WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOREA89021 · closed May 4, 1990
    No recall
  6. SAFETY BELT FRAYINGEA89032 · closed Apr 5, 1990
    Led to recall 89V-226
  7. THROTTLE STICKINGEA90042 · closed Dec 31, 1991
    No recall
  8. LIFTGATE FAILUREEA91015 · closed Sep 20, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-136
  9. SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREEA94025 · closed Sep 30, 1997
    No recall
  10. REAR BRAKE LOCKUPPE87052 · closed Mar 4, 1988
    No recall
  11. FIRESPE88006 · closed Apr 19, 1988
    No recall
  12. CRNKSHFT PULLEY BOLT FAILRPE88026 · closed Apr 27, 1988
    No recall
  13. FUEL LEAKAGEPE88048 · closed Sep 15, 1988
    No recall
  14. WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTORPE89010 · closed Mar 23, 1989
    No recall
  15. SEAT BELT CUTTINGPE89021 · closed Aug 3, 1989
    No recall
  16. POWER STEERING LOCKINGPE89092 · closed Jul 20, 1989
    No recall
  17. LOWER CNTRL ARM FRACTUREPE90072 · closed Jun 19, 1990
    No recall
  18. LIFTGATE FAILUREPE91005 · closed Feb 1, 1991
    No recall
  19. PARK PAWL BENDINGPE91127 · closed Nov 8, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-189
  20. SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREPE94021 · closed Jul 19, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What Aerostar owners report

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

PARKED VEHICLE FUNNY ODOR AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. *AK CONSUMER HAD DRIVEN VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE AND SMELLED AN ODOR, SHE THOUGHT HER BRAKES WERE HOT, CONSUMER THEN PULLED TO THE CURB, WHILE CONSUMER WAS CALLING FOR A TOW TRUCK THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, CONSUMER…
Complaint 986258 · Jun 27, 1996
DROVE VEHICLE, SMELLED SMOKE, ARRIVED HOME, LIGHT ON SNOW SPARKLING ELECTRICITY, SOON AFTERWARDS FLAMES ENGULFED ENTIRE FRONT OF VEHICLE. *AK
Complaint 984540 · May 16, 1996
WHILE DRIVING VAN DOWN STREET IT ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED TO SMOKE, THEN CAME THE FIRE-THERE WAS NO WARNING. ALL THE WIRING BURNED. NO INJURIES. *AK
Complaint 983993 · May 2, 1996

Own a 1987 Aerostar?

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