69 of the
439 complaints about the 1992 Ford Aerostar are about the
braking system — 16% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
68,000 miles.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
OWNER WAS GOING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. OWNER SAYS THAT THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKE HOSE LINE POPPED RIGHT OFF. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL BRAKE PRESSURE PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM STOPPING. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10108595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesterfield, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL TRAVELED TO FLOORBOARD. CONSUMER NOTICED LOSS OF BRAKING POWER . VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME WHEN CONSUMER NOTICED THAT BRAKE HOSE WAS BROKEN.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT FLEXIBLE BRAKE HOSE HAS A HEAVY RUBBER BOOT COVERING THE UPPER SWAGGED FITTING, THIS BOOT ENTRAPS SALT AND WATER CAUSING THE FITTING TO CORRODE SEVERELY AND IS HIDDEN UNDER THE BOOT, CONSUMER REPLACED THE OPPOSITE LINE BECAUSE IT WAS RUSTED ON THE SAME FITTING. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #891916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Simi Valley, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2001, I WAS COMING HOME ON THE 101 FREEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY A TRUCK CUT IN FRONT OF ME. ALL I COULD DO WAS SLAM ON MY BRAKES AND I COULD FEEL SOMETHING WAS PULLING THE CAR BACK, WHEN I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR HAD A HARD TIME ACCELERATING. THIS REALLY SCARED ME BECAUSE I WAS ON THE 101 AND 23 INTERSECTION. I HAD NO WAY OF PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I COULD SMELL SOMETHING WAS BURNING REALLY BAD BECAUSE I HAD TO ROLL DOWN MY WINDOWS. I LOOKED AT THE DASH BOARD AND EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. WHEN I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND HE SMELLED THE BRAKES RIGHT AWAY. WHEN HE TOUCHED THE BACK TIRES IT WAS REALLY HOT. HE DROVE IT HOME ABOUT ONE MILES FROM OUR HOUSE AND HE ONLY USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES. BECAUSE HE THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE REAR BRAKES. AT HOME ALL THE BRAKE FLUID DRAINED OUT FROM THE REAR CYLINDERS. THE NEXT DAY WE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE CYLINDERS AND THE BRAKE SHOES. BUT HE THOUGHT SINCE I USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND FORGOT TO RELEASE IT THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE TO THE REAR BRAKE. ON THE SAME DAY MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VAN AND HE HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND IT STAYED LOCKED, HE TOUCHED THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN AND THE BRAKE WAS FINE AGAIN. WE WENT BACK TO THE GARAGE AND CHECK EVERYTHING OUT BUT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG BECAUSE ALL THE LIGHTS WERE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. SO MY HUSBAND DECIDED TO TAKE THE FUSE OUT FROM THE ABS BRAKE. THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARD. WE CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT WHEN THE ABS DO THE SELF-DIAGNOSTICS, IT DOESN'T DETECT A FAULT IN THE SYSTEM AND COULD NOT TURN OFF THE SYSTEM SO THE REGULAR BRAKE SHOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY. I TOOK IT TO FORD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 2001 AND THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM IN THE ABS SYSTEM. THEY REPLACED THE RABS VALVE. THE BRAKE IS GOOD AGAIN. WHEN I ASKED WHY RABS LIGHTS DON'T GIVE ME ANY WARNING AND SHUT THE SYSTEM DOWN, HE SAID SOMETIMES THE LIGHT GOES ON SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T.
NHTSA complaint #739897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garland, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #783868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Inverness, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
RIGHT SIDE FRONT CONNECTOR TO BRAKE FLEXIBLE LINE BROKE OFF. DEALER SAID LEFT SIDE WAS READY TO GO AND BOTH WERE REPLACED. THE MAJOR PROBLEM I SEE WAS THAT I HAD NO BRAKING SAVE FOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE REAR BRAKES FAILED ALSO AND INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE ONLY LOST THE FRONT BRAKES DUE TO THE REDUNDANT BRAKE CYLINDER SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THE FORD SERVICE MANAGER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL IF YOU LOST ONE LINE. IF THAT'S THE CASE, THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. FOR TECHNICAL ADVICE AND TO REPORT A POSSIBLE FLAW. THE SERVICE MANAGER HAD EVEN SAID THAT THE PROTECTION FOR THE BRAKE FITTINGS HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED UPON THE VEHICLE AT THE FACTORY.
NHTSA complaint #731127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Inverness, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
RIGHT SIDE FRONT CONNECTOR TO BRAKE FLEXIBLE LINE BROKE OFF. DEALER SAID LEFT SIDE WAS READY TO GO AND BOTH WERE REPLACED. THE MAJOR PROBLEM I SEE WAS THAT I HAD NO BRAKING SAVE FOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE REAR BRAKES FAILED ALSO AND INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE ONLY LOST THE FRONT BRAKES DUE TO THE REDUNDANT BRAKE CYLINDER SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THE FORD SERVICE MANAGER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL IF YOU LOST ONE LINE. IF THAT'S THE CASE, THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. FOR TECHNICAL ADVICE AND TO REPORT A POSSIBLE FLAW. THE SERVICE MANAGER HAD EVEN SAID THAT THE PROTECTION FOR THE BRAKE FITTINGS HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED UPON THE VEHICLE AT THE FACTORY.
NHTSA complaint #731127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia Beach, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
AS DRIVER WAS APPLYING BRAKES, TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD. ALSO, BRAKE HOSE LINE SEPARATED FROM METAL THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE BRAKE LINE DUE TO RUST. BRAKE HOSE HAS BEEN REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #869354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ALL OF SUDDEN THE REAR ABS WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY CAME ON. DIDN'T CONTACT THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #860629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Pedro, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES FOOT TO THE GAS PEDAL, BRAKES MOVE THE VECHICLE SLOWLY. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEARLERSHIP, AND MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD GLAZE ON BRAKE ROTORS.
NHTSA complaint #850713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Barbara, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #712998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, ILCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES DURING A NORMAL STOPPING CONDITION, THE REAR ABS LOCKED UP, AND THE TRUCK DID A 180 DEGREE TURN, CAUSING A CRASH. THIS HAPPENED ON DRY/ NORMAL ROAD CONDTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #847559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Danville, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO REPORT BRAKE LINE HOSES CRACKING AND LEAKING. BELIEVED THIS IS A RESULT OF A MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN FLAW. NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA complaint #844594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lonbard, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP SIGN, CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE BRAKE'S WERE HARD. ABS SYSTEM KICKED IN AND LOCKED UP CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO STRAIGHT THROUGH A STOP SIGN WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A COLLISION. *AK
NHTSA complaint #843519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coudersport, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES SMELL LIKE SMOKE, AND THEY CHATTER AND LOSE POWER.
NHTSA complaint #843698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flanders, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
RUBBER PORTION OF THE BRAKE HOSE SEPARATED FROM METAL FITTING THAT CONNECTS TO THE BRAKE LINE, CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER, RESULTING IN A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #842395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Superior, NE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM GRABS ON DAMP/WET DAYS CAUSING WHEELS TO SLIDE AT LOW/MED SPEEDS RESULTING IN VEHICLE SLIDING INTO DITCH ON A SNOWY DAY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #545941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naperville, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
IN THE LAST YEAR BOTH OF THE FRONT BRAKE LINES HAVE RUPTURED, LEAVING US WITH NO BRAKES. THE RUPTURES OCCURRED AT LOW SPEEDS AR WHEN PUTTING THE VAN INTO DRIVE. ONLY THIS PREVENTED US FROM THE POTENTIAL OF SERIOUS INJURY. FORD TELLS ME THAT THERE HAS BEEN ON RECALL ON THIS AND I AM LEFT WONDERING IF THIS WILL CONTINUE TO OCCUR. MECHANICS THAT FIXD THE CAR BOTH SAID THIS WAS A FORD DEFECT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE BEFORE AND THIS WAS ABNORMAL. MY WIFE WILL NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR.....WHAT RECOURSE DO WE HAVE AND IS THIS A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES?
NHTSA complaint #706583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DRIVING AND TRYING TO USE THE TURNING SIGNAL IT DOESN'T WORK AND THE BACK UP LAMP ISN'T WORKING EITHER. ALSO, HEATER MALFUNCTIONED, AND THE RED BRAKE LIGHT AND THE YELLOW ANTI- BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON. CONSUMER HAD JUST BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK FROM REPAIR SHOP FOR A RECALL SERVICE, AND THE CONSUMER IS HAVING ALL OF TYPES OF PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #837064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHEN DRIVING AND TRYING TO USE THE TURNING SIGNAL IT DOESN'T WORK AND THE BACK UP LAMP ISN'T WORKING EITHER. ALSO, HEATER MALFUNCTIONED, AND THE RED BRAKE LIGHT AND THE YELLOW ANTI- BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON. CONSUMER HAD JUST BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK FROM REPAIR SHOP FOR A RECALL SERVICE, AND THE CONSUMER IS HAVING ALL OF TYPES OF PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #837064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coldersport, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
VEHICLE TRAPS DIRT BETWEEN THE DUST PLATES BEHIND THE DISC BRAKES CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FADE AND MAKE NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #545020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toms River, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE BRAKES ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY WHICH CAUSE A PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP FOR DIFFERENT REASONS, AS WELL AS FOR THE BRAKES. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #836240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montgomery Village, MDCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE DRIVING THE VAN ABOUT 35 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THERE WAS 90% BRAKE LOSS. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THIS WAS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE BRAKE LINE. THE BRAKE LINE HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP. PLEASE DESCRIBE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #836062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clifton PA, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FLEXIBLE BRAKE HOSE TO THE RIGHT FROM WHEEL SPLIT, CAUSING BRAKES TO FAIL, PREVENTING VEHICLE FROM STOPPING.
NHTSA complaint #531093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warrendale, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SEPARATION OF THE FLEXIBLE PORTION OF THE BRAKE HOSE FROM THE METAL ATTACHING CAUSED BY CORROSION WHICH HAS BUILT UP AS A RESULT OF THE DESIGN OF THIS BRAKE HOSE RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE AND A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #529282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lee's Summit, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THERE IS A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES, CAUSING FLUID TO FLOW OUT FROM THE BRAKES. ALSO, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. CONSUMER LEFT VEHICLE AT THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #834687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greensville, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE TRANSMISION STARTED TO GO OUT, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE POWER. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO THE SHOP FIVE TIMES FOR THE BRAKES, AND THEY CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #831764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manassas, VACrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH AIRBAGS AND BRAKES. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT COLLISION IN WHICHBRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE. WHEN APPLIED BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #830434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canon City, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES THE FRONT WHEELS GRAB AND VIBRATE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #829952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clifton PA, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
FLEXIBLE BRAKE HOSE SPLIT CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE.DESIGN OF THE BRAKES SYSTEM DOES NOT CONTAIN A DUAL BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH WOULD BE A BACK UP WHEN FAILURE OCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #530364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Neche, TXFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WIRING HARNESS IGNITED BY SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION, RESULTING IN A FIRE/BRAKE ROTORS CONTINUOUSLY WARP, AND AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #781106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.