114 of the
3,109 complaints filed about the Ford Aerostar
are about the steering —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1994.
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.
THE SEAMS IN THE STEERING WHEEL OOZE BLACK GOO AND FORM DIME SIZED POOLS AROUND THE INSIDE CENTER WHERE THE AIRBAG IS PACKED ...THE DEALER SAID JUST BUY A COVER BUT IT CONTINUES TO LEAK AS A NEW STEERING WHEEL WOULD BE VERY COSTLY DUE TO AIRBAG, I WORRY IF AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY CORRECTLY IN A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10168462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE TURNING LEFT IN AN INTERSECTION THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP ON MY AEROSTAR FORD '93 THAT CAUSED ME TO TURN OVER TO THE LEFT AND HIT THE OPPOSITE LANE AND HIT A CAR. I WAS UNABLE TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE WHEEL AS IT LOCKS UP. AFTER IT WAS RESTARTED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FINE AND 2 MECHANICS THAT I BROUGHT IT TO CAN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10098011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRONT END NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED BECAUSE NEW TIRES WERE INSTALLED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE FRONT LEFT BALL JOINT AND INNER TIE ROD WERE WORN.
NHTSA complaint #10095474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK AND THAT I COULD GET IN IT AND DRIVE TO FLORIDA RIGHT NOW. WELL IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN TWO WEEKS SINCE I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK AND SO FAR THE SHOCK MOUNT IS BUSTED (WAS BROKE BEFORE I EVEN BOUGHT THE TRUCK) VALVE COVER GASKETS ARE LEAKING, POWER STEERING BOX BLEW OUT AND THE FLOOR OF THE TRUCK IN THE CAB IS ALL ROTTTED AWAY. THERE IS A HUGE HOLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE TO WHERE I COULD PUT BOTH MY LEGS THROUGH AND HE WOULDN'T GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK FOR THE VEHICLE. I TOOK PHOTOS OF ALL THIS TO PROVE MY DEFECTS OF THE TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10070532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. SUDDENLY THEY WERE UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE OR CHANGE GEARS. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY A PART BRAKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN STEERING COLUMN. WIRE RIBBON RING THAT'S INSIDE OF STEERING COLUMN, WHICH GIVES POWER TO AIR BAG/ CRUISE CONTROL, AND HORN HAS CRACKED AS A RESULT OF RIBBON BEING TOO SHORT AND FOLDED OVER, VEHICLE HAD NO HORN/NO CRUISE CONTROL OR AIR BAG.DEALER CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #8016547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS SPINDLE FAILURE HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING.THANK GOD THAT NONE OF MY THREE KIDS WERE INJURED AND ALSO MYSELF.THIS HAPPENED AT A VERY LOW SPEED UNDER BRAKING.I WAS IN ROUTE TO THOMASVILLE GEORGIA TO TAKE MY THREE KIDS TO GO BACK TO THERE MOMS.THANK GOD FOR SAVING OUR LIVES.
NHTSA complaint #765029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ALTERNATOR FAILED SHORT CIRCUIT. MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF CURRENT PASSED FROM THE BATTERY THROUGH THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FAULT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL DUE TO LACK OF IGNITION AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND STOP THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. SMOKE WAS POURING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I MANAGED TO STOP AND OPEN THE HOOD, THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH WAS GLOWING RED INSIDE, BURST INTO FLAMES AND SET FIRE TO CABLES AND RUBBER HOSES AROUND IT. I RECEIVED BURNS TO MY HANDS TRYING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. LUCKY FOR ME ANOTHER MOTORIST STOPPED AND HE HAD AN EXTINGUISHER. I HAVE NOW HAD TWO FIRES OF THIS TYPE, ONE ON EACH OF MY VEHICLES. YESTERDAY I WENT TO AN ALTERNATOR REMANUFACTURING COMPANY HERE IN MONTERREY, AND THE MANGER TOLD ME THAT HE HAS HAD FIVE ENGINE BAY FIRES IN AEROSTAR MINIVANS IN RECENT MONTHS. IN THE 'GOOD OLD DAYS' UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A FUSIBLE LINK BETWEEN THE ALTERNATOR CHARGING LINE AND THE BATTERY + TERMINAL. THERE SHOULD BE A FUSE IN THIS CIRCUIT BECAUSE IT IS CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE BATTERY!! NOT ONLY IS THE FIRE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS A SERIOUS RISK IN THE EVENT OF THIS FAULT, THAT THE OVERLOAD ON THE BATTERY WILL CAUSE IT TO BURST, SHOWERING EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE AROUND IT WITH HOT SULFURIC ACID. PLEASE NOTE ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN THE USA I AM CURRENTLY LIVING IN MONTERREY, MEXICO. MY PHONE IS 01152-8-349-7152 AND EMAIL IS OLDVINYL@HOTMAIL.COM.
NHTSA complaint #757273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE METAL PORTION OF POWER STEERING FLUID RETURN HOSE AND ONE OF THE METAL LINES TO THE POWER STEERING GEAR BOX/ACTUATOR ARE MOUNTED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THEY RUB TOGETHER AND OVER TIME RUB AWAY AT THE METAL AND DEVELOP LEAKS THAT CAUSE THE POWER STEERING FLUID TO LEAK OUT CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING. THE ONLY INDICATION OF THIS FAILURE IS WHINING COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #740741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN A SUDDEN LOSS IN ALMOST ALL BRAKING POWER AND LOSS OF FRONT RIGHT WHEEL NEARLY COMING OFF VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FRONT SPINDLE ASSEMBLY, BRAKE ROTOR,AND CALIPERAND BALL JOINTS WERE DETROYED . DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE REPAIR THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR, CALIPER AND SHOES HAD TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE EFFICIENTLY. THIS INCIDENT COST IN EXCESS OF $1,400.00 TO REPLACE I RESEARCHED YOUR WEB SITE AND FOUND A IDENTICAL PROBLEM ODI ID 554544 I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP IN A RESULTION TO RETRIEVE LOST EXPENCES AND AND MY NEXT BEST COURSE OF ACTION.
NHTSA complaint #740683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HAVING BEEN DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED THE BREAK IN THE LOWER ARM DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. AT A HIGHER SPEED THE VAN COULD HAVE ROLLED VERY EASY. KNOW ING NOW THAT YOU HAD A REPORT ON THE RIVETS POPING, I FEEL MY LIFE WAS PUT IN DANGER ALONG WITH MY SON'S KNOWING THAT NOTHING ELSE BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF AEROSTAR OWNERS. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTACT ME OR TONY MENDEZ THAT HAS WORKED ON THE VAN . I FEEL THAT THERE HAS BEEN ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS BUT NO ONE KNEW WHY. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT MUST BE FIXED AS MOST PEOPLE THAT OWN VANS HAVE CHILDREN. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #728672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ENGINE NOT RUNNING. I SAT DOWN TO ADJUST THE SEAT POSITION. THE INCLINATION OF THE SEAT BACK SUDDENLY FELL FULLY BACKWARDS TO IT'S FURTHEREST DOWN POSITION. THE INCLINATION HOLDING BOLT SHEARED OFF COMPLETELY. FORD'S PART #N805885-S58. FORD'S DESCRIPTION SCR-M10X1.5X44. THIS PART WAS REPLACED AT MY COST. THIS WAS A DEFINITE MATERIAL FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #725009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.