17 of the
83 complaints about the 1997 Ford Aerostar are about the
electrical system — 20% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
160,000 miles.
I FOUND TWO INCOMPLETE RECALLS. I CALLED THE DEALER 9/28/2020 AT [XXX] AND SPOKE TO [XXX]. SHE PUT THE VIN IN HER SYSTEM, SAW THE TWO RECALLS AND SAID THE PARTS WOULD BE ORDERED. NO RESPONSE. I CALL [XXX] 10/5/2020 AT THE SAME NUMBER AND SHE SAID ABOUT THE SAME THING. THEN I CALLED 10/8/2020 AND ANOTHER SERVICE ADVISOR PRINTED OUT THE ISSUE WITH MY PHONE NUMBER [XXX] AND SAID [XXX] WOULD CALL ME AFTER LUNCH. NO RESPONSE. I TRIED CALLING THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE 800 392-3673 AND AFTER PRESSING '#' FOR TWO COMMERCIALS, THE RECORDER HUNG UP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE, BUT THESE ARE TWO RECALLS THAT ARE CONCERNS. (00S56 & 99S02). THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [XXX]AUGUSTA, GA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11363588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Buffalo, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
NEED TO KNOW WERE TO START TO GET ALL THE PROBLEMS ON MY VAN TAKEN CARE OF ALL THE RECALLS, OF POWER TRAIN THE ELECTRICAL AND WHATEVER ELSE WAS REPORTED TO ME ON MY REPORT OF THE RECALLS ON THIS 1997 AREOSTAR VAN THANK YOU MARYJEAN.
NHTSA complaint #10222447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tacoma, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
MY 1997 FORD AERO STAR VAN PRODUCED A PUFF OF SMOKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE IGNITION SWITCH. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHOM CHECKED THE RECALL NOTICES AND FOUND ONE RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD SHORT CIRCUIT AND OVERHEATING IN THE STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF IT SUBSIDES. SINCE THIS OCCURRENCE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS NOT WORKED AND BLEW ALL FUSES, THE FUEL PUMP DOES NOT TURN ON WITH THE KEY AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS IT ENGAGES SOME TIMES. THE FORD DEALER DID THE RECALL WORK BUT DID NOT FIX OR EXAMINE THE STEERING COLUMN OR THE COMPONENTS THAT BURNED OR OVER HEATED AS A RESULT OF THE OVERLOAD. [XXX] UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10129732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tacoma, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
MY 1997 FORD AERO STAR VAN PRODUCED A PUFF OF SMOKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE IGNITION SWITCH. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHOM CHECKED THE RECALL NOTICES AND FOUND ONE RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD SHORT CIRCUIT AND OVERHEATING IN THE STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF IT SUBSIDES. SINCE THIS OCCURRENCE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS NOT WORKED AND BLEW ALL FUSES, THE FUEL PUMP DOES NOT TURN ON WITH THE KEY AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS IT ENGAGES SOME TIMES. THE FORD DEALER DID THE RECALL WORK BUT DID NOT FIX OR EXAMINE THE STEERING COLUMN OR THE COMPONENTS THAT BURNED OR OVER HEATED AS A RESULT OF THE OVERLOAD. [XXX] UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10129732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tacoma, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
MY 1997 FORD AERO STAR VAN PRODUCED A PUFF OF SMOKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE IGNITION SWITCH. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHOM CHECKED THE RECALL NOTICES AND FOUND ONE RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD SHORT CIRCUIT AND OVERHEATING IN THE STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF IT SUBSIDES. SINCE THIS OCCURRENCE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS NOT WORKED AND BLEW ALL FUSES, THE FUEL PUMP DOES NOT TURN ON WITH THE KEY AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS IT ENGAGES SOME TIMES. THE FORD DEALER DID THE RECALL WORK BUT DID NOT FIX OR EXAMINE THE STEERING COLUMN OR THE COMPONENTS THAT BURNED OR OVER HEATED AS A RESULT OF THE OVERLOAD. [XXX] UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10129732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tacoma, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
MY 1997 FORD AERO STAR VAN PRODUCED A PUFF OF SMOKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE IGNITION SWITCH. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHOM CHECKED THE RECALL NOTICES AND FOUND ONE RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD SHORT CIRCUIT AND OVERHEATING IN THE STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF IT SUBSIDES. SINCE THIS OCCURRENCE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS NOT WORKED AND BLEW ALL FUSES, THE FUEL PUMP DOES NOT TURN ON WITH THE KEY AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS IT ENGAGES SOME TIMES. THE FORD DEALER DID THE RECALL WORK BUT DID NOT FIX OR EXAMINE THE STEERING COLUMN OR THE COMPONENTS THAT BURNED OR OVER HEATED AS A RESULT OF THE OVERLOAD. [XXX] UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10129732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elizabeth, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER IS ABLE TO TURN IGINTION AND START VEHICLE WITHOUT KEY IN IT, CAUSING A SAFTEY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #885707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Pedro, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
INTERMITTENT DISCHARGE OF BATTERY, CONTACT DEALER CANT FIND PROPLEM, FORD HAVE 3 SERVICE BULLETINS OUT ON PROBLEM,HAPPENS ON VEHICLES BUILD BEFORE CERTAIN TIME.
NHTSA complaint #726123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oklahoma City, OK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INVOLVING THE HORN CONTINUALLY FAILS. THE HORN REGULARY GOES OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH HORNS, THE LOW AND HIGH FREQUENCY. I HAVE REPLACED THE HORN RELAY. WITH EACH REPLACEMENT, THE HORN BURNS OUT BECAUSE IT IS OPERATED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS BECAUSE IT IS SET OFF BY SOMETHING IN THE SYSTEM. THIS USUALLY OCCURS AT NIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #719234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Wales, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE DENIED RECALL WORK DUE TO LACK OF PARTS (99V-029) IGNITION SWITCH. MJS
NHTSA complaint #546060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norwalk, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #843335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VON Ormy, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH RECALL REPAIR POLICY, WHEN REPAIR WAS MADE. (99S02)
NHTSA complaint #545333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER 4 TIMES REGARDING RECALL 99V029000, IGNITION SWITCH SHORT. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #837746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hazel Cres, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ELECTRICAL HARNESS BURNED.
NHTSA complaint #543351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hazel Cres, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
SPARK PLUGS FAILED TWO TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #543351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia Beach, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
SMOKE OCCASIONALLY APPEARS COMING OUT FROM AROUND THE DASH PANEL BY THE HEATING AND A/C CONTROLS. SMELLS LIKE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS BURNING OR BURNING WIRE INSULATION. SMOKE GOES AWAY AFTER 5-10 MINUTES. DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER IF HEAT, A/C OR JUST THE FAN IS ON. IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. DEALER STATES THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM OR DUPLICATE GRIPE.
NHTSA complaint #701375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenwood, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON THE KEY GETS VERY HOT WHEN IT IS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #827899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.