FaultScore

Ford Aerostar electrical problems

685 of the 3,109 complaints filed about the Ford Aerostar are about the electrical system — 22% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1993.

685

Complaints

22%

Share of all complaints

1

Crashes

376

Fires

Electrical System complaints by model year

1986 Aerostar 23 3.4%
1987 Aerostar 43 6.3%
1988 Aerostar 49 7.2%

Median failure at 211,319 miles

1989 Aerostar 103 15.0%

Median failure at 181,500 miles

1990 Aerostar 61 8.9%

Median failure at 12,000 miles

1991 Aerostar 76 11.1%
1992 Aerostar 69 10.1%

Median failure at 150,000 miles

1993 Aerostar 110 16.1%

Median failure at 150,000 miles

1994 Aerostar 79 11.5%

Median failure at 120,000 miles

1995 Aerostar 41 6.0%

Median failure at 150,000 miles

1996 Aerostar 13 1.9%

Median failure at 107,000 miles

1997 Aerostar 17 2.5%

Median failure at 160,000 miles

1998 Aerostar 1 0.1%

What owners said

1997 Ford Aerostar at 160,000 miles Augusta, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

1996 Ford Aerostar at 107,000 miles Brandon, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAD SMOKE AND ACRID SMELL COMING FROM UNDER MY DASH (WHILE DRIVING), WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN FITS TO IT. I HAVE CONTACTED A MAJOR FORD DEALER (BRANDON FORD), AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO HELP ME. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND HE SAID MY VIN IS NOT LISTED FOR A RECALL, BUT YET HAD NO ANSWER FOR ME WHEN I ASKED WHY IS MY VEHICLE NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, WHEN IT IS IN THE GROUP OF VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED AND THAT ARE CATCHING ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. OVER 887,000 WERE RECALLED FOR FIRE RELATED PROBLEMS, BUT THEY REFUSE TO EVEN LOOK AT MINE. SO, CAN I KEEP DRIVING IT? I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS A ONE TIME THING, OR WHAT.....

NHTSA complaint #11019124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 Ford Aerostar Sacramento, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAD MY STARTER REPLACED BREAKS AND RELAY AND IT STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM I CANNOT EVEN TURN ON MY HEADLIGHTS

NHTSA complaint #10994317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford Aerostar at 169,000 miles Pocatello, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD AEROSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.

NHTSA complaint #10632568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Ford Aerostar at 93,000 miles Norfolk, VA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

1994 Ford Aerostar 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.

1993 Ford Aerostar at 144,670 miles Shelton, WA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD AEROSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND AND HE COULD FEEL A PULSATION IN THE DASHBOARD; THERE WERE ALSO ELECTRICAL SHORTAGES. HE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT RECALL 99V029000 AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HE ALSO CONSULTED THE MANUFACTURER AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,705. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,670. UPDATED 02/22/11

NHTSA complaint #10298475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Ford Aerostar 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.

1993 Ford Aerostar at 168,000 miles Fanning, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD AEROSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED WITH A HIGHER THAN SPECIFIED ELECTRICAL LOAD THROUGH THE ACCESSORY POWER FEED CIRCUIT. THE POTENTIAL FOR CONTACT BETWEEN THE B2 (BATTERY), A2 (ACCESSORY), AND P1 (PROOF) CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR; THEREFORE, CREATING A SHORT CIRCUIT AND ALLOWING CURRENT TO FLOW THROUGH THE GROUND WIRE. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, HE NOTICED THAT THE SWITCH MODULE MELTED AND THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL LIGHTING WAS INOPERATIVE. AS A RESULT, THE RISK OF A SEVERE FIRE INCREASED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V029000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA complaint #10246511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Ford Aerostar Ogden, UT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD AEROSTAR. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MUFFLER WAS RUSTED AND CRACKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE AND THE FUMES WOULD EXIT OUT OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FUMES WERE ENTERING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE HOLES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY SEALED THE HOLES AND THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE MIDAS MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DEALER NEVER SEALED THE HOLES ON THE MUFFLER AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED COMPLETELY. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE FUMES COULD IN FACT GET INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ALSO, THE HORN HAS NEVER WORKED ON THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED; THEREFORE, THE DEALER CONSTRUCTED THEIR OWN HORN TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THE REAR LIFTGATE FELL ON THE CONTACT'S HEAD SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10239623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Ford Aerostar at 120,000 miles Sioux 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.

1994 Ford Aerostar at 120,000 miles Sioux 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.

1997 Ford Aerostar 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.

1994 Ford Aerostar at 120,000 miles Pottstown, 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.

1994 Ford Aerostar at 120,000 miles Pottstown, 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.

1994 Ford Aerostar at 120,000 miles Pottstown, 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.

1994 Ford Aerostar at 120,000 miles Pottstown, 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.

1994 Ford Aerostar at 110,000 miles Placentia, CA Fire

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.

1995 Ford Aerostar at 150,000 miles Beaverton, MI Fire 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD AEROSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE EXTREMELY HOT BEFORE THEY BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BURNED RIGHT HAND. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CAUSED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V028000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING: FRONT UNDER HOOD). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #10206495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Ford Aerostar at 150,000 miles Turnahawk, AZ 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD AEROSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GROUND WIRES ARE SHORTING OUT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND OTHER WIRES UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. HE ALSO STATED THAT HIS WINDOWS ARE NOT WORKING. FORD STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN BURNED BY THE FAILED WIRES. THE RECALL # WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 171,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #10196275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford Aerostar problems