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1989 Ford AerostarProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 260 owner complaints about the 1989 Ford Aerostar, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

40
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.5× the Aerostar median · #2 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints260119 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage182kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 3, 2006. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Ford Aerostar has problems

260 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 system9166
Fuel system, gasoline534
Seat belts312
Power train3111
Engine and engine cooling2311
Service brakes, hydraulic194
Vehicle speed control128
Visibility81
Structure71
8 other systems256

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

5 recalls

1989 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

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 91V-189 · Nov 4, 1991 · 792,000 vehicles

Risk. DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Front assembly: recliner

Recall 90V-144 · Aug 6, 1990 · 14,300 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT COULD PIVOTFORWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.

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

1989 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
9 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Ford Aerostar, and the recalls they led to.

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

What Aerostar owners report

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

MY FORD AEROSTAR CAUGHT FIRE LAST NIGHT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. MY DAUGHTER HAD RETURNED FROM SCHOOL AND PARKED IT IN THE DRIVEWAY. APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS LATER, A NEIGHBOR RANG THE DOOR BELL AND FRANTICALLY SAID "YOUR VAN IS ON FIRE". WE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS THERE WITHIN 3 MINUTES…
Complaint 10169816 · Oct 3, 2006 · 155,000 miles
DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 96V071000 CONCERNING THE IGNITION SWITCH. WHEN HE CONTACTED FORD, THEY COULD NOT FIND THE VIN. THIS STARTED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. THE SWITCH STARTED TO COME APART, CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. HE REPAIRED IT HIMSELF, AND IT IS CURRENTLY WORKING.*AK…
Complaint 10140845 · Oct 26, 2005 · 208,000 miles
RECAL 96 V 071 000/ ELECTRICAL IGNITION SYSTEM: AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, ENGINE RACES AND VEHICLE OVERHEATS AND SMOKES. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. *AK THE MOTOR CONTINUE TO RUN AFTER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED. *YH
Complaint 8003069 · Jan 29, 2002

Own a 1989 Aerostar?

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