FaultScore

Ford Aerostar equipment problems

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

91

Complaints

3%

Share of all complaints

2

Crashes

4

Fires

Equipment & Accessories complaints by model year

1986 Aerostar 3 3.3%
1987 Aerostar 3 3.3%
1988 Aerostar 2 2.2%
1989 Aerostar 3 3.3%
1990 Aerostar 3 3.3%
1991 Aerostar 15 16.5%
1992 Aerostar 18 19.8%
1993 Aerostar 28 30.8%
1994 Aerostar 5 5.5%
1995 Aerostar 5 5.5%
1996 Aerostar 3 3.3%
1999 Aerostar 2 2.2%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2000 Aerostar 1 1.1%

Median failure at 60,005 miles

What owners said

1999 Ford Aerostar Bayamon, PR Crash

EQUIPMENT

THE MOTOR WOULD DIE AND THEN ACCELERATE SUDDENLY, SOMETIMES MAKING A CRANKING NOISE. THE SERVICE REPORT STATED THAT THERE NO PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WANTED TO CHANGE FROM PARKING TO DRIVE, IT WOULD BE STUCK, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION, USUALLY PRODUCING A LOUD CRANKING NOISE AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS TO EXPLODE. EVENTUALLY, IN FEBRUARY 2005 THE MOTOR BROKE DOWN AND BOTH THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER (BAYAMON FORD) REPLACED THE MOTOR IN MARCH 2005 AND WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS RECEIVED IT WAS REPLACED IN APRIL 2005. THE DEALER HAD REQUESTED THE NEW PARTS DIRECTLY TO THE FORD MOTOR CO. AND STAYED WITH THE PARTS REPLACED. THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION HAD FULL THREE YEAR GUARANTEE SINCE THEY WERE NEW. THE VEHICLE STARTED EXPERIENCING AGAIN THE DYING AND ACCELERATION APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE DEALER, MENTIONED ABOVE ON JUNE 2006 FOR FILTER AND OIL CHANGE, THEY FOUND THAT THE MOTOR WAS LEAKING OIL AND THEY TOOK DOWN THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION TO REPAIR THE LEAK. AFTER THE SERVICE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON PRIOR TO THE JULY FOURTH WEEKEND. THEY INFORMED US TO BRING THE CAR ON JULY 5. ON JULY 4, 2006 THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BEYOND CONTROL AND CRASHED. TOTAL LOSS. THE AIR BAGS NEVER CAME OUT AND THE CAR STAYED ENGINE ACCELERATED.

NHTSA complaint #10172783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Ford Aerostar at 80,000 miles Tualatin, OR

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

THE AIR CONDITIONING/HEAT UNIT SEEM TO TURN ON AND OFF WITHOUT HAVING TO TOUCH ANYTHING. THE WIPERS TURN ON, DO A FEW SWIPES AND THEN TURN BACK OFF AGAIN. THE REAR SEAT BELTS ARE STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION AND THE CENTER LAP BELT DOES NOT HOLD IN PLACE (I HAVE 2 KIDS AND IT HAS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO TRANSPORT THEM SAFELY) SOME OF THE DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER WORK WITHOUT PLACING THE KEY INTO OPEN THEM. THE REAR HATCH BACK WINDOW HAD A PIN FALL OUT. THE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE CHAIN WENT OUT AT 38,000 MILES. REAR CALIPER FROZE AT 45,000 MILES

NHTSA complaint #10068777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Ford Aerostar at 60,005 miles Alexandria, VA Crash 1 injured

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

ACCELERATOR STUCK, CAR CONTINUED TO THROTTLE EVEN AFTER BRAKE WAS HEAVILY APPLIED. UPON FRONT IMPACT INTO TREE AND ROLLOVER TO DRIVER'S SIDE, NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CAR WAS TOTALLED OUT DUE TO CRASH DAMAGE - NO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10068933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 Ford Aerostar Falls City, NE

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

I WENT TO FIRESTONE IN ST. JOE, MO AND HAD MY AIR CONDITIONING RECHARGED AFTER 9 YEARS OF DRIVING MY VAN. THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE A HOSE ON THE FRONT OF THE VECHICAL AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO THEN ADD FREON TO THE SYSTEM. THAT WAS IN JULY 19, 2001. IT DIDN'T SEEM AS COLD AS IT HAD BEFORE BUT IT WAS OK. THEN WHEN I NEEDED THE AIR THIS SUMMER I HAD NONE. THEY SAID THAT THE HOSE THAT THEY INSTALLED THEY LATTER WERE TOLD WOULDN'T HOLD THE PRESSURE (I THINK) BUT THAT NOW SENCE IT WAS OVER 6 MONTHS THEY WOULDN'T OR COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. IT COST ME $304.07. THEY SAY THAT YOU PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?

NHTSA complaint #763566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Ford Aerostar Redding, CA

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

WHEN PRESSING CIGARETTE LIGHTER IN, ONCE IT GETS HOT, IT POPPED OUT ONTO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER FELT THAT IF THIS HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC DRIVER WOULD HAVE TO TAKE EYES OFF THE ROAD TO FIND LIGHTER IN ODER TO PREVENT A VEHICLE FIRE. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #8010099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Ford Aerostar Saint Augustine, FL

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED WHILE STARTING TO MOVE AND PUTTING VEHICLE INTO GEAR, VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE ANYWHERE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO CHECK PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE RECALL THE IGNITION HAD BEEN LOOSE FOR 2 YEARS, AIR CONDITION HAS FAILED AND STILL NOT WORKING AND ALSO THE REAR WHEELS AND THE TIRE WERE WORN UNEVENLY.

NHTSA complaint #899149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Ford Aerostar Palmdale, CA

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

HEATER HOSE WAS REPLACED AND THE AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT WORK. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #558844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1987 Ford Aerostar Lynchburg, VA

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

TAPE PLAYER FAILED. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #784345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford Aerostar Brooklyn, NY

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #554661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford Aerostar Honolulu, HI

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

ADD: RIGHT REAR BRAKE DRUM CONTACTING BACK PLATE ON INNER LIP. BRAKE SHOE PAD CONTACTING INNER BRAKEDRUM RADIUS 10/95

NHTSA complaint #732279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 Ford Aerostar Oceanside, CA

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

A/C WAS INOPERATIVE WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM DEALER. DEALER REPAIRED A/C AS CONDITION OF PURCHASE. A/C FAILED AGAIN ABOUT A MONTH AFTER REPAIR AND HAS BEEN INOPERATIVE SINCE. REAR DIFFERENTIAL STARTED MAKING A LOW WHINING NOISE THAT BECAME A LOUD WHINING NOISE AFTER A COUPLE DAYS. ENDED UP REPLACING WHOLE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY AND DIFFERENTIAL FROM SALVAGE YARD MYSELF BECAUSE IT WAS MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE THAN WHAT THE REPAIR PLACE WANTED. TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING DURING ACCELERATION. AFTER A COUPLE DAYS IT QUIT MOVING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY, AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH ONE FROM A SALVAGE YARD SINCE, ONCE AGAIN, IT WAS THE LEAST EXPENSIVE WAY TO GO. THE HEATER CORE RECENTLY BEGAN TO LEAK INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND STEAM UP THE WINDOWS. THE HEATER CORE HAS BEEN CAPPED OFF AND NOT YET REPLACED. FINALLY, JUST TWO DAYS AGO THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD REVEALED THERE WAS NO WATER IN THE RADIATOR. UPON RESERVICING THE RADIATOR AND STARTING THE ENGINE WATER WAS NOTICED POURING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. I CAN ONLY PRESUME EITHER THE HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED OR THE CYLINDER WALL IS CRACKED PERMITTING THE COOLANT WATER TO ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDRIVEABLE AND PARKED WHILE MY WIFE AND I TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO AFFORD TO FIX YET ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THIS PIECE OF TRASH FORD AEROSTAR.

NHTSA complaint #729454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford Aerostar Hudson, OH

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY HAS DETERIORATED, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF AND DISAPPEAR UNKNOWINGLY. NO ONE HAS SEEN IT.

NHTSA complaint #868410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 Ford Aerostar Longwood, FL Fire

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE MARSHALL & INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THE CAUSE SEEM TO BE THE A/C BLOWER MOTOR FAN. DEALER IS LOOKING INTO THE PROBABLE REASON.

NHTSA complaint #865215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford Aerostar Woodstock, GA

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

HOLE IN AIR CONDITIONER HOSE, MAYBE RUBBING ON RACK AND PINION STEERING OR FROM ACCIDENT IN THE ICE STROM OF 1995 IN DELWARE. HEATER COIL REPLACED 4 TIME AND THE 4TH TIME MAYBE ELECTROLYSIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #723142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Ford Aerostar Sacramento, CA

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

I ALREADY SUBMITTED THIS FORM EARLIER TODAY, BUT I REALIZED I MADE SOME ERRORS ON THE FORM SO HERE IS AN UPDATED FORM WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION. AS I EXPLAINED ON THE FIRST FORM, THERE ARE TWO RELATED PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE BEEN OCCURRING WITH OUR FORD AEROSTAR MINI VAN. THE FIRST PROBLEM IS THAT THE SLIDING SIDE DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY BECAUSE THE DOOR GUIDE-TRACK IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS BROKEN AT THE POINT WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE VEHICLE BODY BEHIND THE LATCH STRIKE-PIN. WE HAD THIS REPAIRED IN DECEMBER OF 1998, BUT IT HAS BROKEN AGAIN ONLY 15 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST REPAIR. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, WHICH IS RELATED TO THE DOOR DEFECT, BECAUSE SOMETIMES WHEN THE DOOR IS NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR-AJAR LIGHT COMES ON AND MAKES A TERRIBLE GRATING/BUZZING NOISE AND AT THE SAME T IME CAUSES ALL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TO FAIL. THE TURN SIGNALS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, FAN , RADIO, ETC ALL FREEZE-UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE DRIVING, AND TWICE THE IGNITION FROZE AND I COULD NOT START THE VAN. I HAD TO TURN OFF THE KEY AND RESTART IT TO GET EVERYTHING WORKING AGAIN. THESE ELECTRICAL FAILURES ARE CLEARLY LINKED TO THE SLIDING DOOR PROBLEM BECAUSE THE ONLY OCCUR WHEN THE DOOR-AJAR LIGHT IS FLASHING AND MAKING THAT GRATING SOUND WHEN THE DOOR IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED.

NHTSA complaint #722477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford Aerostar Orangevale, CA

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

I WIIL BE FAXING OVER THE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS 93 FORD AEROSTAR. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD STARTING PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE A/C FAILED. RELAY STARTER MOTOR FAILED. THE HEATER CORE FAILED. POWER STEERING WAS INOPERATIVE. TIE RODS ON BOTH TIRES FAILED. WATER PUMP FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #722457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford Aerostar Arlington, VA

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER MALFUNCTIONED.

NHTSA complaint #3333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford Aerostar Arlington, VA

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER MALFUNCTIONED.

NHTSA complaint #3333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford Aerostar West Seneca, NY

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

A/C HOSE RUPTURED DUE TO RUBBING ON STEERING MEMBER-MFG DEFECT POSSIBLE.

NHTSA complaint #715953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford Aerostar Martinez, CA

EQUIPMENT

CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF RECALLS (97V-204) AND (99V-029), HOWEVER EXPERIENCED SIGNS OF MALFUNCTION. MJS

NHTSA complaint #549144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford Aerostar problems