NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Gasoline
1619.5%
Buckle Assembly
1518.3%
Automatic Transmission
1417.1%
Switch
1315.9%
Front Underhood
1113.4%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
67.3%
Wiring
44.9%
Interior/Under Dash
33.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 1995peak 8Oct 2003
NHTSA investigations into the 1987 Ford Aerostar
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE94021Opened 4 Mar 1994Closed 19 Jul 1994SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
PE91127Opened 16 Sep 1991Closed 8 Nov 1991POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PARK PAWL BENDING
EA91015Opened 1 Feb 1991Closed 20 Sep 1991STRUCTURE
LIFTGATE FAILURE
PE91005Opened 18 Oct 1990Closed 1 Feb 1991STRUCTURE
LIFTGATE FAILURE
EA90042Opened 31 Aug 1990Closed 31 Dec 1991VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
THROTTLE STICKING
PE90072Opened 9 Apr 1990Closed 19 Jun 1990SUSPENSION
LOWER CNTRL ARM FRACTURE
EA89032Opened 3 Aug 1989Closed 5 Apr 1990SEAT BELTS
SAFETY BELT FRAYING
SUMMARY:COMPLAINTS OF CUTTING AND FRAYING OF SEAT BELT ON SHARP METALEDGE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.EDGE IS UNPROTECTED ON 86'S COVEREDON LATER MODELS.ALL COMPLAINTS ON 86'S AND 87'S (1 COMPLAINT ON 87MODEL).UPGRADE ON 1986 AND 1987 MODELS.===
Recalls on the 1987 Ford Aerostar
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199111913,298 units in Canada
Structure
THE REAR LIFTGATE GAS CYLINDER-TO-BODY ATTACHMENT BALL STUDS MAY FRACTURE. IF A BALL STUD FRACTURES, THE LIFTGATE WILL NOT REMAIN IN THE OPEN POSITION. BODILY INJURY COULD RESULT IF THE LIFTGATE DROPS WHILE SOMEONE IS UNDER IT. CORRECTION: BALL STUDS BUILT WITH HIGHER STRENGTH MATERIAL WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recall 19891749,107 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
THE WEBBING OF THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT BELTS MAY BECOME ABRADED OR CUT DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE OUTBOARD SEAT BACK PIVOT HINGE. CORRECTION: A PLASTIC COVER WILL BE INSTALLED OVER THE PIVOT HINGE TO PREVENT ABRASION. BELTS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
Recall 19880883,626 units in Canada
Electrical
THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL TRAILER TOW PACKAGE. THE TAILLIGHT RELAY ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE WIRES THAT ARE OF A SMALLER GAUGE THAN THE FUSE LINK WHICH IS PROTECTING THE CIRCUIT. A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE TRAILER WIRING OR WATER INTRUSION INTO THE RELAY ASSEMBLY COULD CAUSE THE SMALLER GAUGE WIRES TO ACT AS A FUSE LINK AND OVERHEAT, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE. CORRECTION: A FUSE WILL BE INSTALLED WITHIN THE TRAILER TOW RELAY POWER FEED CIRCUIT WHICH WILL PROTECT THE RELAY FROM SHORT CIRCUIT OR THERMAL OVERLOAD.
Recall 1987098295,731 units in Canada
Fuel System
ON VEHICLES WITH EFI OR CFI, THE SPRING-LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING USED TO CONNECT THE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES TO THE EFI FUEL RAILS OR TO THE CFI THROTTLE BODIES AS WELL AS OTHER FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS NEAR THE DASH PANELS ON SOME VEHICLES, COULD DISENGAGE DURING VEHICLE USE. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, LOSS OF FUEL WILL RESULT, PROVIDING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE. CORRECTION: COUPLING RETAINER CLIPS WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. NOTE: ESCORT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH EFI AND CFI. LYNX VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH CFI ONLY. EFI - ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION CFI - CENTRAL FUEL INJECTION
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Lake Stevens, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. PULLED OVER AND LIFTED UP HOOD. NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL WIRING. BEFORE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS IN FLAMES. FRONT OF VEHICLE/ INSIDE AND OUTSIDE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #896109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anderson, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE OFF WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED FIRE STARTED ON LEFT HAND SIDE OF ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #884647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Pablo, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VAN CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #741072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #879024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #879024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lafayette, CACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SEPTEMBER 11, 2000. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #731103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Salem, MO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THREE TRANSMISSION. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10038500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Freeport, NY
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
PASSENGER'S SEAT BACK FAILED, STAYING IN THE RECLINING POSITION DUE TO METAL FRAME INSIDE SEATBACK BREAKING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8016678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mukilteo, WA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DISENAGES FROM THE LOCKING MECHANISM.
NHTSA complaint #8004013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Stevens, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. PULLED OVER AND LIFTED UP HOOD. NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL WIRING. BEFORE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS IN FLAMES. FRONT OF VEHICLE/ INSIDE AND OUTSIDE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #896109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Leandro, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED AND AT ANY TIME. TO DEALER TWICE, CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #885977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anderson, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE OFF WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED FIRE STARTED ON LEFT HAND SIDE OF ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #884647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Pablo, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VAN CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #741072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #879024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #879024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lynchburg, VA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #784345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lynchburg, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES HAVE FAILED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #784345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lynchburg, VA
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
TAPE PLAYER FAILED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #784345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RIO Ranco, NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WE HAVE HAD THE CONTROL MODULE REPLACED A MINIMUM OF 5 TIME (RECEIPTS ON HAND), EACH TIME THE VAN STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS CAUSED MANY NEAR CRASHES AND MUCH FUSTRATION ONLY THE ALERTNESS THAT THE VAN STALLS PREVENTED ANY BODILY HARM. SEVERAL FORD DEALERSHIPS DENY ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CONTROL MODULE ON THIS VAN AND NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #732476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RIO Ranco, NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WE HAVE HAD THE CONTROL MODULE REPLACED A MINIMUM OF 5 TIME (RECEIPTS ON HAND), EACH TIME THE VAN STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS CAUSED MANY NEAR CRASHES AND MUCH FUSTRATION ONLY THE ALERTNESS THAT THE VAN STALLS PREVENTED ANY BODILY HARM. SEVERAL FORD DEALERSHIPS DENY ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CONTROL MODULE ON THIS VAN AND NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #732476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lafayette, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH SURGES FORWARD WHEN STARTING. INTERMITTENTLY, PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND UNABLE TO LOCATE/CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #871606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lafayette, CACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SEPTEMBER 11, 2000. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #731103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RECALL 91V13 000/HATCHBACK HYDRAULIC CYLINDER: TRUCK CYLINDER: VEHICLE REAR DOOR WOULD NOT STAY OPEN DUE TO HYDRAULIC CYLINDER FAILURE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE RECALL WAS HONORED ONLY AT TIME OF WHEN IT WAS ISSUED, AND NOTHING ELSE WOULD BE DONE UNLESS COST WOULD GO TO CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #863723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Olympia, WA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #718905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Weaver, ALFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHEN VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ,AND THE HOOD WAS OPENED, CONSUMER NOTICED SPARKS AND LOTS OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. RECALL 88VO91000.
NHTSA complaint #851051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norco, CAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VAN BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED. FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE WHOLE VAN WAS BURNT, NOTHING WAS LEFT BUT THE FRAMEOF THE VEHICLE AND THE TWO REAR TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #849157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norco, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, EXITING THE HWY AND IT SEEMED AS IF THE POWERSTEERING WENT OUT OR THAT THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED, COASTED TO THE INTERSECTON IN NEUTRAL AND TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT SEEMED TO BE STILL RUNNING. THE ENGINE HAD SMOKE COMING FROM IT SO I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF TE ROAD WHEN I WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. I GOT OUT AND WITH IN 15 MINUTES TO 20 MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETLY INGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE TRUCKS CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT THERE IS NOTHING BUTTHE FRAME LEFT.
NHTSA complaint #712475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jersey City, NJ
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #712331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jersey City, NJ
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE VAN' STARTS AND DOES NOT STALL, BUT THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #712345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilkesbury, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
HAD SERVICE DONE ON VEHICLE & REPLACED THE OLD BATTERY. WAS DRIVING WHEN SMOKE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED OVER & PARKED. LIFTED HOOD & NOTICED FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED & PUT FLAMES OUT. HAD INDICATED IT WAS ELECTRICAL WIRING FOR THE ALTERNATOR. THE INSURANCE INSPECTOR CHECKED VEHICLE OUT & INDICATED WIRES TO ALTERNATOR BURNED & TOTALED OUT VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #843448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Payne, AL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SUDDEN ACCELERATION. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN REVERSE. DROVE WITH OR WITHOUT CRIUSE CONTROL ON.
NHTSA complaint #836378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.