FaultScore

1989 Ford Aerostar transmission problems

33 of the 328 complaints about the 1989 Ford Aerostar are about the transmission — 10% of everything reported for this model year.

F

33

Complaints

10

Crashes

0

Fires

5

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Automatic Transmission 14 42.4%
Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch 11 33.3%
Manual Transmission 2 6.1%
Gear Position Indication (Prndl) 2 6.1%
Torque Converter 2 6.1%
Column Shift 1 3.0%
Driveline 1 3.0%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Ford Aerostar year

1987 15 3.6%
1988 19 4.5%
1989 33 7.8%
1990 37 8.8%
1991 56 13.3%
1992 87 20.7%
1993 75 17.8%
1994 48 11.4%
1995 26 6.2%
1996 14 3.3%
1997 11 2.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Palmyra, NJ Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

91V189000/TRANSMISSION AUTOMATIC: PARKED VEHICLE IN DRIVWAY, AFTER 15 -20 MINUTES LOCAL POLICE ARRIVED TO INFORM CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE HIT A PARKED VEHICLE, AND THAT GEAR WAS NOTICED IN DRIVE POSITION. NOTIFIED MANUFACTURER, AND INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL DUE TO VIN. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #873851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Thibodaus, LA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

RECALL 91V189000; WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT JUST ROLLED FRONT DOWN THE HILL, AND HIT A BRIDGE.

NHTSA complaint #865098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Inverness, IL Crash 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

DAUGHTER WAS IN THE MINIVAN WHEN SHE ACCIDENTLY HIT THE GEAR SHIFT. THE GEAR WAS SUPPOSELY IN PARK WHEN IT SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE CAR WAS ON AN INCLINE. IT BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARD AND EVENTUALLY HIT A TREE ACROSS THE ROAD ON MY NEIGHBOR'S PROPERTY. MY DAUGHTER HIT HER HEAD AND MY SON HAD JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR WHEN IT STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARD. THE REAR BUMBER AND DOOR WAS DAMAGED. THE REAR WINDOW WAS SHATTERED. MY NEIGHBOR'S TREE WAS DAMAGED. THE CAR WAS SUPPOSE TO BE IN PARK. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT IT OUT OF PARK UNLESS THE PAWL WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. LUCKY THERE WERE CARS COMING OR PEDESTRIANS WALKING IN FRONT OF MY PROPERTY WHEN THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

NHTSA complaint #722133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rawlings, MD

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION WITH KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION NOT LOCKING INTO GEAR. CONSUMER ALSO NOTED OF RECALL 91V189000. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #854057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Phoenix, AZ

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I PURCHASED THIS VAN TO ACCOMODATE MY FAMILY OF 7. THE A/C AND TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPAIRED BY LICENSED TECHNITIONS. THE GAS TANK HAS A SMALL 'HAIRLINE' CRACK THAT I HAVE TRIED TO PATCH MYSELF. I FEEL THE GAS TANK LEAK LOCATED AT THE EDGE OF THE TANK IS A DESIGN FLAW, BUT WHAT DO I KNOW? I JUST WANT MY WIFE TO DRIVE MY FAMILY TO AND FROM THEIR DESTINATIONS SAFELY. I HAVE LIMITED FUNDS FOR ALL THE REPAIRS. THANKS FOR LISTENING. REGARDS, TIMOTHY J. SHINN, PH#602-265-4323

NHTSA complaint #709239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Groton, VT Crash 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

MY TWO YEAR OLD SON GOT INTO THE VEHICLE AND SLIPPED THE SHIFTER OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT THE KEYS, AND THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR OVER 24 HOURS, THE VAN ROLLED BACKWARDS THROUGH MY FENCE, DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND SMASHED INTO A TREE STUMP, WITH MY SON INSIDE. THE VAN WAS TOTALED AND MY SON WAS BROUGHT TO THE HOSPITAL WITH A CERVICAL SPRAIN.

NHTSA complaint #706214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jillchrist, TX Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

WHILE PARKING IN AN INCLINE POSITION WITH VEHICLE IN PARK, VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY, ALMOST RUNNING OVER THE OCCUPANT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #836670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Woodridge, IL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

RECALL NOTICES NOT RECEIVED FOR RECALL #S (91V189000,9OV144000), AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND SEAT BELT REPAIR. (MJS)

NHTSA complaint #523521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Victorville, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

TRANSMISSION LEAKS FROM SHIFT.

NHTSA complaint #543498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gretna, LA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLS. ALSO, VEHICLE GETS STUCK WHEN CHANGING GEARS. BRAKES MAKE A VERY LOUD NOISE ,AND THE CONSUMER HAD BRAKES REPLACED. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #833359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUN City, CA

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PAINT PEELING ON THIS VAN SINCE IT WAS 2 YRS OLD. I HAVE TALKED TO FORD MFG, THE DEALERSHIP IN OUR TOWN, DIFFERENT FROM WHO WE PURCHASED IT FROM, AND IT SEEMS THAT FORD DOES NOT WANT TO REPAIR THIS PROB...THIS WAS A LEASE ORIG. BUT WE PURCHASED THIS VAN AFTER THE LEASE WAS UP. WE LIKE THIS VAN AND HAVE INVESTED MONEY IN IT TO KEEP IT RUNNING GOOD...NEW TRANSMISSION ETC...BUT THE PAINT IS ALMOST GONE ON THIS CAR AND I AM TIRED OF FIGHTING THE DEALERSHIPS AND FORD...CAN YOU PLEASE HELP US..

NHTSA complaint #701529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EL Monte, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT ANY MPH THE TRANSMISSION WON'T WORK SOMETIMES WHEN CHANGING GEARS OR MOVING FROM SHIFT TO SHIFT. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD REPLACE TRANSMISSION THREE TIMES ALREADY. DEALER WAS CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #832388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

MT. Dora, FL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURES. CONSUMER HAS HAD THREE TRANSMISSIONS REBUILT.. DEALER/MFR. NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA complaint #832301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Forret Lake, MN

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

CONSUMER REPORTING AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE ACCELERATION INTERMITTENTLY APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS. PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPAIRS/INSPECTION WAS MADE CONTINUALLY, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER RESOLVED. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND CAN SMELL SOMETHING LIKE WIRES BURNING, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RADIO, FAN BLOWER, AND DASH LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF, AT TIMES THE RADIO WILL NOT WORK AT ALL, BATTERY FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, LOW OIL SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL BRAKE PROBLEMS, BRAKES PULSATE, MASTER CYLINDER LEAK, PROPORTIONING VALVE LEAK, BRAKES GRAB, AND WERE NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL ENGINE RELATED PROBLEMS, CONSUMER STATES THE ENGINE WAS NOISY, OIL WAS LEAKING FROM BOTH SIDES OF ENGINE, THE THERMOSTAT, GASKET SEAL, MAIN SEAL, REAR MAIN SEAL, PAN GASKET, BELTS, AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE LEFT DOOR CORRODED AND RUSTED. FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED, EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS REPLACED, IAC AND THROTTLE BODY WERE REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES SHE WOULD HAVE TO CONSTANTLY KEEP FOOT ON BRAKE DUE TO HIGH RPMS AND LOUD WHINING, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE SUDDENLY IF FOOT WERE OFF THE BRAKE, THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE BRAKES WERE NOT STOPPING VEHICLE. RIGHT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO WOBBLE, FRONT BEARING NEEDED PACKED, RIGHT REAR AXLE WAS LOOSE. DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER ASSEMBLY WAS OUT, CAUSING A LOUD TICKING AND THUD NOISE. AIR CONDITIONER WAS BLOWING HOT AIR, THE HEATER MODE SELECTOR IS SLOW TO RETURN FROM THE VENT WHEN CHANGED. OUTER TIE ROD ENDS NEEDED REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #832189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

DEL RIO, TX

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

VEHICLE WILL ROLL AFTER PLACING IT IN PARK GEAR, RECALL ON OTHER MODELS HOWEVER CONSUMER'S VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY.

NHTSA complaint #501443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sierra Madre, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

PARK PAWL FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL/COLLISION.

NHTSA complaint #527191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Berwick, LA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CONSUMER STATES THAT WITHOUT WARNING THE TRANSMISSION BLEW. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #819920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bothell, WA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

TRANSMISSION/TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #517579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bothell, WA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

TRANSMISSION/TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #517593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Webster Grove, MO 3 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

TRANSMISSION JUMPED OUT OF PARK GEAR TWICE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS/ACCIDENT/INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #514060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Merced, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING , TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE BLOWER FOR HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER AND THE RACK AND PINION STEERING WERE BENT .

NHTSA complaint #806299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kernville, CA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

TRANSMISSION PARK GEAR FAILURE; WHILE IN PARK POSITION, 4 YEAR OLD WAS ABLE TO TAKE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK GEAR WITH KEY OUT OF IGNITION, CAUSED VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWN, SLID DOWN ON INCLINE, HITTING A BIG LOG, NO EMERERGENCY BRAKES APPLIED.

NHTSA complaint #806210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Redford, MI

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

CONSUMER STATES THAT YOU CAN SHIFT THE GEARS WITH THE IGNITION OFF AND YOU CAN ALSO SHUT THE IGNITION OFF IN ANY GEAR AND TAKE THE KEY OUT. *AK

NHTSA complaint #803805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Redford, MI

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CONSUMER STATES THAT YOU CAN SHIFT THE GEARS WITH THE IGNITION OFF AND YOU CAN ALSO SHUT THE IGNITION OFF IN ANY GEAR AND TAKE THE KEY OUT. *AK

NHTSA complaint #803805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Coppell, TX Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

WHEN TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND REMOVING THE KEY, GEAR SELECTOR REMAINS IN ANY POSITION, RESULTING IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #801991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fitchburg, WI Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #502871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orlando, FL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION LOCKING MECHANISM PROBLEMS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLIP FROM PARK.

NHTSA complaint #485408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orlando, FL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

NO INTERLOCK SYSTEM, CAUSING GEAR SHIFT LEVER TO BE TAKEN OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT KEY BEING IN IGNITION. *SKD

NHTSA complaint #485408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

APO, 00

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILED SIX TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #486673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Biloxi, MS

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

THE VEHICLE CAN GO THROUGH THE GEARS WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION AND CAN ALSO REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT THE CAR BEING IN PARK. TT

NHTSA complaint #969948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1989 Ford Aerostar problems

← Full 1989 Ford Aerostar report