FaultScore

Ford Aerostar transmission problems

433 of the 3,109 complaints filed about the Ford Aerostar are about the transmission — 14% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1992.

433

Complaints

14%

Share of all complaints

37

Crashes

16

Fires

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year

1986 Aerostar 7 1.6%
1987 Aerostar 15 3.5%
1988 Aerostar 19 4.4%
1989 Aerostar 33 7.6%
1990 Aerostar 37 8.5%

Median failure at 115,000 miles

1991 Aerostar 56 12.9%
1992 Aerostar 87 20.1%

Median failure at 168,148 miles

1993 Aerostar 75 17.3%

Median failure at 243,150 miles

1994 Aerostar 48 11.1%

Median failure at 120,000 miles

1995 Aerostar 26 6.0%
1996 Aerostar 14 3.2%

Median failure at 187,000 miles

1997 Aerostar 11 2.5%

Median failure at 108,746 miles

1999 Aerostar 3 0.7%
2000 Aerostar 2 0.5%

Median failure at 20,321 miles

What owners said

1993 Ford Aerostar Altaville, CA

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD AEROSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THERE WAS A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE AND THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION TRANSFER CASE WAS FRACTURED AND FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10787003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Ford Aerostar at 160,000 miles Fordland, MO

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD AEROSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TRANSFER CASE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V204000 (POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)) MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA complaint #10425204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Ford Aerostar Buffalo, NY

POWER TRAIN

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

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:BELL HOUSING

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.

1999 Ford Aerostar Bayamon, PR Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

1996 Ford Aerostar at 214,000 miles Richmond, VA

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES. AFTER THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN HOME AT 45MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AS IF THE GEARS WERE NOT CHANGING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE TIRE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE NOT BE USED UNTIL THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS WELDED AND THE UNIVERSAL JOINT WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10156967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Ford Aerostar at 214,000 miles Richmond, VA

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES. AFTER THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN HOME AT 45MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AS IF THE GEARS WERE NOT CHANGING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE TIRE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE NOT BE USED UNTIL THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS WELDED AND THE UNIVERSAL JOINT WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10156967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Ford Aerostar at 194,000 miles Moscow, OH

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE, IT FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY ONLY OPERATES IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION HAD GONE OUT PREVIOUSLY AND WAS REPLACED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC.

NHTSA complaint #10153208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1990 Ford Aerostar Anaheim, CA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED IN PARK AND VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY. THERE WAS NO NOTICES OF SUCH A RECALL OR ANY OTHER RECALLS, FOR THIS VEHICLE. 1990 FORD AEROSTAR.

NHTSA complaint #10078874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1990 Ford Aerostar at 60,000 miles Canada, 00 Crash 3 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INDICATED THAT THE INCIDENT WAS INCONCLUSIVE. THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION RECALL 91V189000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *SC

NHTSA complaint #10079452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 Ford Aerostar Davenport, IA Fire

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ANOTHER MOTORIST YELLED AT THE CONSUMER THAT THE VAN WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE APPEARED TO BE COMING FORM THE MIDDLE TO THE REAR. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VAN. CONSUMER SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, AND FIRE WENT OUT. A TECHNICIAN EXAMINED THE VAN AND STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V094000 WAS ISSUED.

NHTSA complaint #10073700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1990 Ford Aerostar at 170,000 miles Toronto, UN

POWER TRAIN

I JUST GOT MY TRANSMISSION FIXED BUT THE PROBLEM WAS I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE FORD AEROSTAR HAS BEEN RECALLED... UNTIL NOW I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SOMETIMES NO SHIFTING, REVERSE ALWAYS HAVE A PROBLEM AND LATE SHIFTING (FORWARD).. I'M JUST WONDERING IF MY VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED? CAN FORD DEALER FIX MY VAN WITHOUT ANY COST?

NHTSA complaint #10071345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 Ford Aerostar Ramona, CA

POWER TRAIN

1) REPLACED BOTH HEAD GASKETS AND BOLTS! 2) REPLACED EXTENSION HOUSING GASKET 3) REPLACED BOTH VALVE COVER GASKETS, OIL PAN GASKET, OIL FILTER ADAPTER O-RINGS

NHTSA complaint #10069585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Ford Aerostar at 81,000 miles Courtdale, PA

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

I BOUGHT A USED 1996 FORD AEROSTAR AWD VAN FROM A USED CAR DEALER ABOUT 10 MONTHS AGO. I HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN IMMEDIATELY BUT THE DEALER DECLINED RESPONSIBILITY. TODAY I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE IN THE VAN NEEDS, MINIMALLY, REPAIR OR TOTAL REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED A BALL JOINT FOR $320, WHICH THE USED CAR DEALER SAID HE HAD CHECKED AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. WE ARE RETIREES WITHOUT A HUGE INCOME AND SO WE DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER FORD WAS IN SOME WAY RESPONSIBLE. WE LEARNED THAT A RECALL FOR TRANSFER CASES WAS ISSUED IN 1998 SO MY WIFE CALLED FORD, WHERE SHE WAS, OF COURSE, TOLD THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. I WANT TO KNOW HOW I CAN LEARN IF THIS IS TRUE OR WHETHER I CAN MAKE FORD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MAJOR MALFUNCTION. THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT IN ANY WAY RESPONSIBLE!!!! OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE OWNED MANY, MANY VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BEFORE. BECAUSE OF THE TRANSFER CASE, MY FRONT TIRES ARE BALD AND I NEED TWO TIE ROD ENDS AFTER THE TRANSFER CASE REPAIR. MY VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION AND I DO NOT KNOW HOW I WILL PAY FOR ALL OF THESE REPAIRS. I ALSO STILL HAVE TWO YEARS' CAR PAYMENTS LEFT!!!

NHTSA complaint #10067683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Ford Aerostar at 132,000 miles Dubach, LA

POWER TRAIN

MY TRANSMISSION DEVELOPED A BAD LEAK IN THE FRONT SEAL. I PAID TO HAVE THE TRANSAXLE REMOVED AND THE SEAL REPLACED. THE FLUID WAS CHANGED AS WELL AS THE FILTER AND THEN SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE CARS OVERDRIVE STOPPED WORKING. IT WILL SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE BUT IT WILL SHIFT RIGHT BACK OUT WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS EVEN THE LEAST LITTLE BIT. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED SO I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS AND YESTERDAY I WAS DOING ABOUT 60 AND THE CAR SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR FOR NO REASON AND THEN RIGHT BACK INTO THRID. THEN ABOUT A HALF MILE LATER IT BEGAN SHIFTING FROM THIRD TO SECOND AND BACK OVER AND OVER. TALK ABOUT GETTING JERKED AROUND! IT WAS LIKE SOMEONE STEPPING ON THE BRAKES! NOW I AM ON FOOT AND I AM ON FOOT AND DUE TO OUR GREAT ECONOMY I AM OUT OF WORK FOR THE TIME BEING. THEY SHOULD OFFER A MANUAL TRANSMISSION ON ALL THEIR CARS.

NHTSA complaint #10070676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Ford Aerostar at 20,321 miles Fayetteville, NC

POWER TRAIN

4R100 TRANSMISSION HAD PROBLEMS SINCE 33602 MILES HARD SHIFTING INTO 3-4 AND WAS TOLD EVERY THING WAS NORMAL.STARTED TO HAVE MORE PROBLEMS AT 83521 AND WAS TOLD DRIVE IT AND SEE IF IT GETS WORSE AT 85953 TOOK IT TO FORD AND LEFT IT AND THEY SAID I NEED A TRANS. BUT FORD CHARGED ME $437.27 . I WAS TOLD I GOT MORE OUT OF THE TRANS THAN MOST GET. THIS TRANS HAS A 90% PREMATURE FAILURE.FORD REFUSES TO HELP IN ANY WAY TO REPLACE THE TRANS.

NHTSA complaint #10070512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Ford Aerostar Denver, CO

POWER TRAIN

CONSUMER DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES INCURRED PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL. *PH RECALL IS IN REGARDS ON POWER TRAIN MODIFICATION.

NHTSA complaint #10066979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford Aerostar Oakland, MD

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL CONCERNING TRANSFER CASE PROBLEM. ALSO, HAD BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10048270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1987 Ford Aerostar Salem, MO

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THREE TRANSMISSION. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10038500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Ford Aerostar at 142,297 miles Augusta, WI

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

THE SHIFTING LEVER IN THE STEERING COLUMN MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO SHIFT. PART# 2F0DC-7215 53. *AK THIS WAS DUE TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE AND MAY BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION/SHIFT ACTUATING TUBE. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10038132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford Aerostar problems