FaultScore

1994 Ford Aerostar airbag problems

45 of the 384 complaints about the 1994 Ford Aerostar are about the airbag system — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 120,000 miles.

F

45

Complaints

17

Crashes

0

Fires

10

Injuries

Exactly what failed

AIR Bags 28 62.2%
Frontal 16 35.6%
Sensor/Control Module 1 2.2%

Airbags across every Ford Aerostar year

1992 32 25.4%
1993 38 30.2%
1994 45 35.7%
1995 11 8.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Dacula, GA

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG (CODE 13 AND 51) LIGHTS FLASHING

NHTSA complaint #11039844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Sioux City, IA

AIR BAGS

ALL ELECTRONICS ON STEERING COLUMN DON'T WORK. AIR BAG SYSTEM FLASHES 3-2. NO AIRBAG (PRESUMABLY), CRUISE CONTROL OR HORN FUNCTION.

NHTSA complaint #10233257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles East Palestine, OH

AIR BAGS

DT: CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE HORN WILL NOT WORK. THE PROBLEM STARTED WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THE AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK AS LONG AS THE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WAS ON. ALSO, THE DEALER TOLD HIM HE HAD A BROKEN WIRE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. HE HAS NOT HAD IT REPAIRED YET. THE AIR BAG PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THEREFORE, E THE MANUFACTURER WILL OFFER NO FREE REMEDY.

NHTSA complaint #10140413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,000 miles Affton, MO Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHILE GOING THROUGH AN INNER SECTION BETWEEN 25-30 MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES FROM THE SEAT BELT. MANUFACTURER WANTED TO SEND A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10087578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Herlong, CA

AIR BAGS

THREE DAYS AFTER I HAVE THE VANS WIREING DONE BECAUSE OF A RECALL, MY HORN STOPPED WORKING AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND MY BRAKE LIGHTS STARTED STAYING ON. I CALLED JIM WILSON FORD WHO DID THE REPAIRS I WAS TOLD BY THE HEAD MAN AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS NOT THERE FALT AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. EVERYTHING WORKED FINE UNTIL THEY DID THE RECALL WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10061851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Riverdale, GA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER STATES THAT A FRONT COLLISION OCCURRED AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON HER FACE. SINCE THEM SHE HAD A RESPIRATORY PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10024907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,000 miles Hampton, VA Crash

AIR BAGS

DATE IS APPROXIMATE. 1994 FORD AEROSTAR REAR ENDED AT STOP LIGHT HARD ENOUGH TO BREAK 7X19 CABLE HOLDING SPARE TIRE, AND SEND VEHICLE INTO CAR IN FRONT OF IT WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO BREAK RADIATOR AND AC RADIATOR. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. APPROXIMATLY 3 MONTHS AFTER BACK FROM REPAIRS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING OCCASIONLY. THIS CONTINUED GETTING WORSE UNTIL IT BLINKED CONSTANTLY, ALSO THE HORN WAS INTERMITTENTALY OPERATIONAL. I CHECKED YOUR "SEARCH COMPLAINTS" SECTION AND SEE SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM EVEN WITHOUT THE ACCIDENT. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING AS SEVERAL PEOPLE STATE IN THE COMPLAINTS SECTION. IN FACT THIS MUST BE COMMON DUE TO WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THAT DID THE ORIGINAL REPAIRS THEY DIDN'T EVEN LISTEN TO ALL THE INFORMATION ON THE PROBLEM AND SAID "IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CLOCK SPRING AND TAKES ABOUT 2 HOURS TO REPAIR." THEN QUOTED A PRICE, ONLY MISSING THE PRICE QUOTE BY THE AMOUNT OF TAX ADDED TO THE BILL! PLEASE RESEARCH THIS, IF NOTHING ELSE LOOK AT YOUR OWN SYSTEM UNDER AIRBAGS, HORN, AND SPEED CONTROLS! DOESN'T TAKE A BEAN COUNTER TO SEE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS "SAFETY" SYSTEM!!!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10008076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Goshen, IN Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB THE CONSUMER SLID ON A PATCH OF ICE AND HIT A TREE IN CENTER OF THE BUMPER. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10008823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alberta, CD

AIR BAGS

CONSUMER STATES CLOCKSPRING IN STEERING COLUMN IS DEFECTIVE CAUSING AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL TO FAIL.

NHTSA complaint #564596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Edmonton AB Canada T5M 2M3, AK

AIR BAGS

AFTER FORD RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF WIRING IN STEERING COLUMN, THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING IN A 3/2 PATTERN. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN BOTH CEASED FUNCTION. INDICATES A CLOCKSPRING FAILURE MEANING THAT THE AIRBAG, CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN ARE INOPERATIVE. ALSO, THE REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORTS ARE FIXED TO THE FRAME WITH SMALL STUDS. WITH THE LIFTGATE OPEN, ONE OF THESE STUDS BROKE SENDING THE LIFTGATE CRASHING ONTO OWNER'S HEAD AND NECK.

NHTSA complaint #754991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hope, AR

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL ILLUMINATE ERRATICALLY, THEN GO OFF WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED. ALSO, HAS EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE TO DETERMINE A CAUSE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.

NHTSA complaint #899547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Denville, NJ

AIR BAGS

AIRBAGS DEACTIVATED. ALSO, VEHICLE HAD NO HORN. AIRBAG LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND OFF.CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED CLOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA complaint #896389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cornell, MI

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT THAT I AM AWARE OF AND OVER A YEAR AGO WHILE DRIVING MY AIR BAG LIGHT POPED ON. WHEN I GOT HOME I CALLED OUR LOCAL FORD GARAGE & THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE AIR BAG NO LONGER WAS WORKING. I FEEL IF YOU BUY THE VEHICLE WITH THE AIR BAG YOU EXSPECT IT TO BE THERE IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. WHAT IS THE POINT IN HAVING ONE IF IT CANNOT LIVE UP TO THE LIFE OF YOUR VEHICLE. THE PART IS ONLY 150.00 BUT I REFUSE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING TO BE FIXED IF IT WAS NEVER DEPLOYED IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE A SAFTY FEATURE BUT IT IS NOT VERY SAFE IF IT NO LONGER WORKS.

NHTSA complaint #744794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chico, CA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT45MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #884817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cocoa, FL

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES, THER IS A PATTERN, IT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint #875363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Roswell, GA

AIR BAGS

WE HAVE JUST MOVED TO ROSWELL, GA FROM WINDER GA. WE KNOW OF OVER 15 PEOPLE WHO HAVE OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 1994 AEROSTARS CLOCK SPRING IN THE AIR BAG NOT WORKING. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD THAY SAID IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM, MOST PEOPLE HAVE IT REPARIED OR JUST LET IT GO AS I HAVE. IT'S HARD TO COME UP WITH 300 TO 500 DOLLARS ON SOMETHING THAT IS A REPEATED PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR US ALL. I NOW HAVE A 2 MONTH OLD GRANDAUGHTER AND FEEL UNSAFE KNOWING THAT THE AIRBAG MAY GO OFF AT ANYTIME OR WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I SHOULD EVER NEED IT. PLEASE LOOK AT ALL REPAIRS ON THIS AND I AM SURE THAT FORD WILL NOT HAVE A COMPLANT LIST... SEEM TO BE PAR FOR THE COURSE. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

NHTSA complaint #734571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hanson, MA

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT BLINKING ON AND OFF.

NHTSA complaint #784262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mentor, OH

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES 32 AND HORN QUIT WORKING

NHTSA complaint #729311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sparkill, NY

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. PROBLEM OCCURRED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SENSOR. *AK THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER RECALL ON IGNITION PROBLEM WAS FIXED. AIR BAG STARTED BLINKING ON AND OFF.

NHTSA complaint #865885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Riverdale, MD Crash 1 killed

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

EMPLOYEE FATALLY INJURED IN CRASH 06/05/00. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AIR BAG SENSOR APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN MARCH 2000, AFTER COMING ON AND BLINKING. COLLISION WAS WITH A FIXED OBJECT AT APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH, ON LEFT FRONT CORNER OF VEHICLE. HAVE THERE BEEN SIMILAR FAILURES REPORTED?*AK FROM THE ACCIDENT REPORT IT APPEARED THAT THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS RAINING. THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD, ROTATED COUNTERCLOCKWISE AND LANDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEXT TO A UTILITY POLE IN HEAVY BRUSH. THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AT THE POINT OF IMPACT WITH THE CULVERT. UPON INVESTIGATION AT THE SCENE A TROOPER NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS UNBUCKLED AND THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. IT WAS DEEMED THAT THE DRIVER WAS NOT SPEEDING BUT WAS MOST LIKELY DRIVING TOO FAST FOR THE ROAD CONDITIONS. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #724005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ventera, CA

AIR BAGS

HORN ASSEMBLY/AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT, AND CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT AT SAME TIME. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #862034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dorchester, MA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED A STRONG ODOR COMING FROM THE AIRBAG, CONSUMER STARTED SNEEZING. THEN THE SNEEZING GOT WORSE, AND CONSUMER BLACKED OUT, RESULTING IN A CRASH. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS LIKELY THAT THE BAG WAS LEAKING.

NHTSA complaint #859728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Midland, MI

AIR BAGS

THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS FLASHING. THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A BROKEN CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. CLOCK SPRING HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE OF CHARGE TO OWNER. ALSO, TIRES NEED REPLACING, BUT WARRANTY NOT IN EFFECT UNTIL TIRES ACTUALLY GO BAD. *AK

NHTSA complaint #857902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cedar Hill, MO

AIR BAGS

THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES CONTINOUSLY ALTHOUGH THE AIR BAG DOES NOT DEPLOY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL ALSO FLASH INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #716294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Belchertown, MA

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT, AND HORN MALFUNCTION, HAPPENED AT SAME TIME. DEALER TOLD ME THAT A COMMON CIRCUIT WAS MORE THAN LIKELY THE PROBLEM. TOLD ME THAT AIR BAG, AND HORN WOULD NOT WORK UNTIL STEERING COLUMN REMOVED, AND CIRCUIT FIXED. CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITH HORN NOT WORKING. FEEL UNSAFE WITH AIR BAG NOT WORKING. TOLD THAT AIR BAG WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 50,000 MILES. WHEN DEALER ASKED FOR POSSIBLE "GOOD WILL" REPAIR, TOLD NO! FEEL THAT ONLY WAY TO GET ANYWHERE IS THROUGH NHTSA, SINCE BOTH PROBLEMS ARE SAFETY RELATED. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #711638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Douglasvil, GA

AIR BAGS

THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING.

NHTSA complaint #547394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richton Park, IL

AIR BAGS

COMPLETE RADIATOR FAILURE, TOLD EPOXY BROKE LOOSE, REPLACED WITH NEW, SUSPECT OVERHEATING OF WIRING HARNESS CAUSED RELAY OR FUSABLE LINK FAILURE IN COLUMN/DASH INTERMITTENT LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL, THEN FULL LOSS, HORN LASS AT SAME TIME, AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AT SAME TIME.

NHTSA complaint #707784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sedalia, CO

AIR BAGS

HAD TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. SINCE THIS IS PART OF THE SAFETY SYSTEM THIS ITEM SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO COST. SINCE ITS NOT A MOVING PART THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON FOR IT TO GO BAD. WENT BAD AFTER THE HARNESS RECALL WAS DONE.

NHTSA complaint #707189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Millsboro, DE

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #838553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Joelton, TN

AIR BAGS

CLOCK SPRING ON THE AIR BAG WIRING WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE, CAUSING THE AIR BAG/CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN TO BECOME INOPERABLE.

NHTSA complaint #836375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1994 Ford Aerostar problems

← Full 1994 Ford Aerostar report