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1988 Ford AerostarProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 177 owner complaints about the 1988 Ford Aerostar, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

54
CarFlaw IndexSolid year15% below the Aerostar median · #7 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints17754 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage144kFuel system, gasoline, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 19, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Ford Aerostar has problems

177 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
Fuel system, gasoline522
Electrical system4634
Seat belts281
Engine and engine cooling135
Power train131
Structure71
Service brakes, hydraulic71
Vehicle speed control63
Visibility50
11 other systems263

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

4 recalls

1988 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

Electrical system: ignition

Recall 96V-071 · Apr 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–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

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 →

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

1988 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
12 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Ford Aerostar, and the recalls they led to.

  1. WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOREA89021 · closed May 4, 1990
    No recall
  2. THROTTLE STICKINGEA90042 · closed Dec 31, 1991
    No recall
  3. LIFTGATE FAILUREEA91015 · closed Sep 20, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-136
  4. SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREEA94025 · closed Sep 30, 1997
    No recall
  5. CRACKED FUEL TANKSEA96030 · closed Aug 13, 1998
    Led to recall 98V-190
  6. WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTORPE89010 · closed Mar 23, 1989
    No recall
  7. SEAT BELT CUTTINGPE89021 · closed Aug 3, 1989
    No recall
  8. POWER STEERING LOCKINGPE89092 · closed Jul 20, 1989
    No recall
  9. LIFTGATE FAILUREPE91005 · closed Feb 1, 1991
    No recall
  10. PARK PAWL BENDINGPE91127 · closed Nov 8, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-189
  11. SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREPE94021 · closed Jul 19, 1994
    No recall
  12. CRACKED FUEL TANKSPE96050 · closed Dec 20, 1996
    No recall
In owners' words

What Aerostar owners report

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

GAS TANK WAS RECALLED 12/98 UNDER 98MO3. GAS TANK DID DEVELOP CRACKS AND WAS REPLACED BY FORD IN 8/01. REPLACEMENT GAS TANK DEVELOPED CRACKS IN 9/03. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP THAT PERFORMED ORIGINAL WARRANTY WORK STATES THE REPLACEMENT GAS TANK HAS FAILED BECAUSE OF MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. BUT FORD…
Complaint 10071097 · Jan 15, 2004 · 147,700 miles
THE CONSUMER STATED SHE NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE # 98V190000. THE RECALL WAS IN REFERENCE TO THE UPPER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK CRACKING. THE DEALER STATED THIS RECALL EXPIRED ON MARCH 31/02 AND WILL NOW COST $700.00 TO FIX IT. *NLM
Complaint 10048663 · Nov 25, 2003 · 187,000 miles
THE VAN WAS UNABLE TO PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO A GAS LEAK FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THERE WAS A FUEL TANK CRACK RECALL, BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS OUTSIDE THE REMEDY SCOPE. *JB *MR *NM
Complaint 10048534 · Jan 16, 2004 · 120,000 miles

Own a 1988 Aerostar?

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