79 of the
384 complaints about the 1994 Ford Aerostar are about the
electrical system — 21% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
120,000 miles.
VAN HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS OR SO, AROUND THE LOCAL CITY COMMUNITIES. VAN HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES, WHEN NEIGHBORS NOTIFIED ME OF FIRE. INTENSE FIRE WAS COMING FROM DRIVER'S SIDE/WINDSHIELD/IGNITION/FRONT SEAT AREA, EVENTUALLY CONSUMING ENTIRE INTERIOR OF VAN. NORFOLK FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES, OR SO, STATION ONLY ABOUT 150 YARDS FROM MY RESIDENCE. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OR SO, BUT THE VAN WAS COMPLETELY CONSUMED BY FIRE AND TOTALLY DESTROYED BY THEN. VAN WAS JUNKED/SALVAGED. PAID ONLY $100.00 FOR SALVAGE/JUNK/TOWING, ETC. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH MY VAN. VAN ONLY HAD 93000 MILES. HAD PURCHASED NEW FROM FREEDOMS FORD IN NORFOLK, VA. INFORMED BY ASSOCIATE THAT I SHOULD REPORT THIS "FIRE HAZARD/PROBLEM," BECAUSE OTHER 1994 FORD AEROSTAR VANS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR "FIRE PROBLEMS/INCIDENTS/REPORTS," AND THE LIKE. PLEASE INFORM ME OF WHAT ACTIONS I NEED TO TAKE TO RECOUP SOME MONETARY VALUE FOR THIS "FIRE INCIDENT," ETC. MY VEHICLE PAPERWORK WAS BURNED/DESTROYED IN THE FIRE. HOWEVER, THE NORFOLK FIRE DEPARTMENT DID MAKE AN "OFFICIAL FIRE REPORT/RECORD" OF THE INCIDENT, ETC. ALSO, MINOR DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE ALUMINUM SIDING OF MY HOUSE FROM THE VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10534938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hollywood, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAD THE CLOCK RING REPAIRED (YEAR 2000)DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON. NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON ,THERE IS NO HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESNT WORK. THERE HAS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10461633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrieta, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WE WERE BEGINNING TO EXPERIENCE LOSS OF POWER. THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER WAS CHANGED. WE ARE STILL GETTING INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER, BUT WHAT MY CONCERN IS THAT I SAW A RECALL ON NHTSA: 99V028000. I WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS RECALL WHEN I VIEWED AN EPISODE OF COPS WHERE AN AEROSTAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I CALLED FORD IN TEMECULA CALIF AND NOW THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF ANY RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR OF AEROSTAR 1994 I DO HAVE KIDS AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT SAFETY MATTERS REMAIN ON THIS VAN.
NHTSA complaint #10276149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesSioux City, IA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 120,000 milesSioux City, IA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
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 120,000 milesPottstown, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, HAD TO REPLACED WITH READING SPRING WORKS, THEY HAD TO SEND THE SPECKS TO CHICAGO. MY FORD AERO STAR 4 WHEEL DRIVE & 4.0 V6 IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM AFTER MARKET. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO BUY NEW OR USED FORD SPRINGS WHICH ARE MADE IN CHINA. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ADMITS REPLACING COIL & LEAF SPRINGS ON SEVERAL MODELS. MIDAS WAS SO BUSY REPLACING FORD SPRINGS, THEY COULD NOT SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO INSTALL SPRINGS EVEN IF I HAD THE SPRINGS.
NHTSA complaint #10217895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesPottstown, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, HAD TO REPLACED WITH READING SPRING WORKS, THEY HAD TO SEND THE SPECKS TO CHICAGO. MY FORD AERO STAR 4 WHEEL DRIVE & 4.0 V6 IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM AFTER MARKET. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO BUY NEW OR USED FORD SPRINGS WHICH ARE MADE IN CHINA. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ADMITS REPLACING COIL & LEAF SPRINGS ON SEVERAL MODELS. MIDAS WAS SO BUSY REPLACING FORD SPRINGS, THEY COULD NOT SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO INSTALL SPRINGS EVEN IF I HAD THE SPRINGS.
NHTSA complaint #10217895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesPottstown, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID
FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, HAD TO REPLACED WITH READING SPRING WORKS, THEY HAD TO SEND THE SPECKS TO CHICAGO. MY FORD AERO STAR 4 WHEEL DRIVE & 4.0 V6 IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM AFTER MARKET. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO BUY NEW OR USED FORD SPRINGS WHICH ARE MADE IN CHINA. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ADMITS REPLACING COIL & LEAF SPRINGS ON SEVERAL MODELS. MIDAS WAS SO BUSY REPLACING FORD SPRINGS, THEY COULD NOT SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO INSTALL SPRINGS EVEN IF I HAD THE SPRINGS.
NHTSA complaint #10217895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesPottstown, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, HAD TO REPLACED WITH READING SPRING WORKS, THEY HAD TO SEND THE SPECKS TO CHICAGO. MY FORD AERO STAR 4 WHEEL DRIVE & 4.0 V6 IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM AFTER MARKET. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO BUY NEW OR USED FORD SPRINGS WHICH ARE MADE IN CHINA. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ADMITS REPLACING COIL & LEAF SPRINGS ON SEVERAL MODELS. MIDAS WAS SO BUSY REPLACING FORD SPRINGS, THEY COULD NOT SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO INSTALL SPRINGS EVEN IF I HAD THE SPRINGS.
NHTSA complaint #10217895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesPlacentia, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, UNTOUCHED, FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS. FIRE ERUPTED ABOUT 7:00 AM. FLAMES WERE COMING THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD. SEEMED TO BE ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. CAR IS COMPLETELY ORIGINAL (NO ELECTRIC ALTERATIONS). CAR HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER WITHIN THE LAST 2 YEARS SO ANY RECALL WORK SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE.
NHTSA complaint #10217101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesEast Palestine, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
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 100,000 milesBloomington, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DT: THE CONTACT STATED 1994, FORD VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE FREEWAY ON 8-8-05. SHE WAS NOT HAVING PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE SEEMED TO BE ELECTRICAL AND ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD. *AK *JB UPDATED 2/7/2006 - THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 97V204000 ON NOV 13, 1997 FOR THE TRANSFER CASE/DRIVESHAFT BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. THIS FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM NHTSA ON TWO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. ONE WAS 99V028000 FOR THE ELECTRICAL WIRING UNDER THE HOOD AND THE OTHER ONE WAS 99V029000 FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #10132510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Herlong, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
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.
Waterford, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
THE ACCESSORIES IN MY DASH AND STEERING COLUMN ARE SHORTING OUT, AND I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE WHEN MY VAN WAS MADE. I DON'T CARE WHY I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE MY KIDS TO SCHOOL AND BACK AND NOT HAVE MY VAN CATCH ON FIRE. WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH THAT ALREADY WITH A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. ALSO, THE FUEL PUMP IS ACTING UP ANDI WAS TOLD IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT IS SHORTING OUT!. AGAIN NOT THE RIGHT MONTH BUT I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS SO THE WAY I SEE IT IS THAT FORD MESSED UP AND SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM, PERIOD. I PLAN TO CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS AND TO RIGHT TO MY LOCAL GOVERNMENT. THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY SHOULD NOT BE DETERMINED AS TO HOW LOUDLY PEOPLE COMPLAIN, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE VEHICLES THAT ARE COVERED WERE THE GREATEST RISK TO THE COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #10046772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hollywood, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
THE WIRING HARNESS IN MY STEERING COLUME IS DEFECTIVE. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME IN 6 YRS THAT THIS HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE HARNESS CONTROLLS THE AIRBAGE, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROLL. ALSO THE IGITION SWITCH IS FAULTY, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING
NHTSA complaint #10008035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hollywood, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE WIRING HARNESS IN MY STEERING COLUME IS DEFECTIVE. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME IN 6 YRS THAT THIS HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE HARNESS CONTROLLS THE AIRBAGE, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROLL. ALSO THE IGITION SWITCH IS FAULTY, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING
NHTSA complaint #10008035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aurora, TNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
CONSUMER STATES THAT A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE DASH WHILE DRIVING. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8019900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
THE VEHICLE JUST WENT UP IN FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #759619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Covington, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, THEN HEARD A POP WITH A CLOUD. CONSUMER HAD NO LIGHTS, AND STATED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN AND FILLED THE CAR. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED A GROUND WIRE BURNED, AND CAUSED THE SMOKE.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8006247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hope, AR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
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.
Mocksville, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VHEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE NEAR CENTER OF MOTOR BEHIND WHERE YOU PUT IN THE OIL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR RECALL ON THE ACCESSORY POWER CIRCUIT. I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL ABOUT THE SWITCH RECALL. THE 94-95 MODELS WHERE ALSO RECALLED DUE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OUT AT FUEL PUMP RESULTING IN POWER LOSS AND FIRE. I BELIVE THIS TO BE WHAT HAPPENED TO MY VAN.I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL, NIETHER WAS I INFORMED OF IT WHAN I TOOK THE VAN IN FOR THE OTHER RECALL ON THE SWITCH. CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT TO DO FROM HERE? SHOULD I GO TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER?
NHTSA complaint #747478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burlington, WV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #747364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverside, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE IS STALLING AT ANY SPEED, AND ANY TIME. DEALER STATED IGNITION MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #886189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmdale, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
THE STARTER, DISTRIBUTOR, AND IGNITION WIRING WERE ALL REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #558844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmdale, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE STARTER, DISTRIBUTOR, AND IGNITION WIRING WERE ALL REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #558844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Maria, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 60 MPH ENGINE QUIT 100%. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A NEAR BY MECHANIC. THEY SAID IT WAS A SHORT JUST BEFORE IGNITION SWITCH, THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD WIRING HARNESS THAT PRODUCED TOO MUCH HEAT WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF POWER TO THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #875249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atkins, AR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SMELLED WIRES BURNING AFTER THAT HORN WILL NOT WORK CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK
NHTSA complaint #734168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hanson, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #784262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wattsburg, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
HEADLIGHT SWITCH BECAME ERRATIC. WHEN SWITCH WAS REMOVED FOR REPLACEMENT , I BECAME AWARE OF THE HARNESS BLOCK BEING MELTED AND CRACKED AROUND 6 OF THE 9 WIRES. THERE HAS BEEN OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE AEROSTAR RELATING TO CURRENT DRAW IN OTHER PORTIONS OF THEIR HARNESS. TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I WAS VERY DISSAPPOINTED TO FIND FORD QUITE UNCONCERNED WHEN I CONTACTED THEIR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE LINE.
NHTSA complaint #729662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.