no report yet
Vehicle speed control: cables
Risk. THIS COULD INCREASE THE FRICTION IN THE CABLE, CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO BE SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE.
1997 Ford AerostarProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 63 owner complaints about the 1997 Ford Aerostar, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 9, 2020. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1997 Ford Aerostar has problems
63 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
13Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
9Power train1 crash/fire/injury
9Vehicle speed control2 crash/fire/injury
7Wheels
7Service brakes, hydraulic2 crash/fire/injury
4Fuel system, gasoline
4Suspension
4Air bags
3Tires
138 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 13 | 1 |
| Power train | 9 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 2 |
| Wheels | 7 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 7 | 2 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 4 | 2 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 3 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 |
| 8 other systems | 13 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
1997 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
Ignition: switch
Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE OVER HEATING AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE.
no report yet
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND, IF THE EXPELLED FLUID CONTACTS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
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
1997 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
NHTSA crash tests
1997 Ford Aerostar safety ratings
1997 Ford Aerostar in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1997 Ford Aerostar, and the recalls they led to.
- TRANSFER CASES AND REAR DRIVE SHAFTLed to recall 99V-094
- TRANSFER CASES AND REAR DRIVESHAFTLed to recall 97V-204
In owners' words
What Aerostar owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I FOUND TWO INCOMPLETE RECALLS. I CALLED THE DEALER 9/28/2020 AT [XXX] AND SPOKE TO [XXX]. SHE PUT THE VIN IN HER SYSTEM, SAW THE TWO RECALLS AND SAID THE PARTS WOULD BE ORDERED. NO RESPONSE. I CALL [XXX] 10/5/2020 AT THE SAME NUMBER AND SHE SAID ABOUT THE SAME THING. THEN I CALLED 10/8/2020 AND…
NEED TO KNOW WERE TO START TO GET ALL THE PROBLEMS ON MY VAN TAKEN CARE OF ALL THE RECALLS, OF POWER TRAIN THE ELECTRICAL AND WHATEVER ELSE WAS REPORTED TO ME ON MY REPORT OF THE RECALLS ON THIS 1997 AREOSTAR VAN THANK YOU MARYJEAN. *TR
MY 1997 FORD AERO STAR VAN PRODUCED A PUFF OF SMOKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE IGNITION SWITCH. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHOM CHECKED THE RECALL NOTICES AND FOUND ONE RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD SHORT CIRCUIT AND OVERHEATING IN THE STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. WHEN THE KEY…
Own a 1997 Aerostar?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.