1990 Ford Aerostar

High concern

Owners filed 195 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system › ignition › switch. It has been recalled 7 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch20
0170
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly18
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission16
401
Vehicle Speed Control13
9010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip13
302
Electrical System › Ignition11
080
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch8
200
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline8
070
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator8
060
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder5
001

7 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly98V190000
Filed Aug 11, 1998140,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA (10 SOUTHERN COUNTIES OF LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, SAN BERNADINO, SAN DIEGO, RIVERSIDE, VENTURA, SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, IMPERIAL, AND KERN), FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA (CLARK COUNTY), OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TEXAS, AND IN THE U.S. TERRITORIES COVERED BY THE FEDERAL STATUTES. THE UPPER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK CAN DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS DUE TO EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO VERY HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. FUEL VAPOR OR LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AT THESE CRACKS.

Risk. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, THROUGH MARCH 31, 2002. THIS COVERAGE WILL ONLY BE FOR STRUCTURAL CRACKS AT THE TOP OF THE TANK AND WILL NOT INCLUDE OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY AN ACCIDENT OR ROAD DEBRIS.

Service Brakes, Air › Disc › Rotor98E010000
Filed Apr 8, 199823,500 vehiclesAimco Products Inc.

Defect. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE.

Risk. LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.

Remedy. AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED/INSTALLED FOR REPLACEMENT.

Electrical System › Ignition96V071000
Filed Apr 25, 19967,900,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission91V189000
Filed Nov 4, 1991792,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.

Risk. DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OFGEAR UNINTENTIONALLY, VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHEN PARKED ON A SLOPED SURFACE, ANDINADVERTENT MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS CANRESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage91V164000
Filed Sep 20, 19914,842 vehiclesSherrod Vans, Inc.

Defect. SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BAR FOR REAR SOFA FAILED TO SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210.

Risk. VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210.

Remedy. REPLACE NONCOMPLYING SOFA BAR WITH BAR THAT MEETS REQUIREMENTS.

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner90V144000
Filed Aug 6, 199014,300 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THE SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SEAT ASSEMBLY HAS A TILT FORWARD FUNCTION. A LATCH RETAINS THE SEAT IN THE NORMAL RIDE POSTION, AND THIS LATCH MAY RELEASE UNDER SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT CONDITIONS, ALLOWING THE SEAT TO PIVOT FORWARD.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT COULD PIVOTFORWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.

Remedy. REPLACE SEAT PAWL ASSEMBLY WITH A REVISED DESIGN ASSEMBLY.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder89V223000
Filed Dec 11, 198930,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. INABILITY TO MAINTAIN PRESSURE IN THE SECONDARY SYSTEM OF THE MASTER CYLINDER (CONTROLS BRAKING OF REAR WHEELS) COULD INCREASE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND REDUCE BRAKE PERFORMANCE AT TEMPERATURES LESS THAN 40 DEGREES.

Risk. THIS WOULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS ANDINCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH OR COLLISION.

Remedy. INSTALL NEW DESIGN MASTER CYLINDER INCORPORATING A REDESIGNED SEAL.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Apr 12, 2010MD

1990 FORD AEROSTAR. CONSUMER STATES SUDDEN ACCELERATION NEARLY 20 YEARS AGO, THAT CAUSED OVER $1,000 IN DAMAGE. TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Oct 25, 2005142,143 milesAZ

1990 FORD AEROSTAR HAD CRACK IN FUEL TANK CAUSING CONSUMER TO REPLACE THE TANK. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN DEC 1998 REGARDING THE GAS TANK, HOWEVER AT THE TIME HE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS TANK. THE CONSUMER IS NOW REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE GAS TANK THAT HE HAD TO REPLACE. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Aug 18, 2005LA

MY 1990 FORD AEROSTAR WAS LEAKING GASOLINE. THE FUMES WOULD OVERCOME YOU WHILE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE VAN SAT FOR A SHORT TIME GAS WOULD BE ALL OVER THE GROUND FROM THE LEAK. I PAID A FORD DEALER TO REPLACE THE TANK NOT KNOWING THERE WAS A RECALL. THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY WAS IMPORTANT ENOUGH THAT I PAID THIS MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET. NOW FORD IS TELLING ME THAT MY VIN DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. SO I AM NOT EVEN ELIGIBLE FOR A REIMBURSEMENT. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU CARING FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL DRIVERS. *NM THE ASSIGNED IDENTIFICATION NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V-190000 FORD RECALL NO. 98M03. *TT THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CRACKED GAS TANK. FORD WILL NOT REFUND THE MONEY AND WILL NOT HELP. *SC

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder
Filed Jun 16, 2005MD

BRAKING SYSTEM -- MASTER CYLINDER

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 29, 2005WI

CONSUMER REQUESTING INFORMATION ON WHETHER OR NOT THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR VAN. *MR THE RECALLS ARE AS FOLLOWED: #96V071000, 98V190000, 91V189000, 91V164000, 90V144000, 98E010000, 98E010000 AND A RECALL ON THE TIRE TEMPORARY SPARE. *SC

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash3 injured
Filed Jul 21, 200460,000 miles00

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 *JB

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash
Filed Jun 27, 2004CA

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. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Jun 10, 200412,000 milesGA

THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURES DESCRIBED IN THE MASTER CYLINDER PISTONS RECALL 89V223000. IN ADDITION, THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. ALSO, THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL 96V071000 BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Power Train
Filed Jan 15, 2004170,000 milesUN

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?

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Nov 21, 2003190,000 milesOH

THE REAR ANTI LOCK BRAKES HAVE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO LOCK. AS A RESULT THE STEERING LOCK AND THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. NO REPORT OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 26, 2003AL

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jan 22, 2003NV

NHTSARECALL 98-V-190-000 CONCERNING UPPER PORTION OF FUEL TANK THAT CAN DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS DUE TO EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO VERY HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. FUEL VAPOR OR LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AT THESE CRACKS. CONSUMER HADTHE RECALL LETTER, BUT MANUFACTURER DIDN'T HONOR IT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.TS. *AK

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Dec 20, 2002GA

CONSUMER STATES THE SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL #98V190000 FUEL TANK CRACKS. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. TS

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Nov 14, 2002CA

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V190000 FUEL TANK; THE VAN WAS TAKEN IN AS A SERVICE CAMPAIGN BY FORD FOR THE FUEL TANK BACK IN 1999. AFTER INSPECTING THE FUEL TANK, THE DEALER TOLD HER THE TANK WAS FINE AND DIDN'T REPLACE IT. NOW IN 2002, THE FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED SEVERAL CRACKS WHICH THE FORD DEALERSHIP WILL NO LONGER HONOR THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN DUE TO AN "EXPIRATION DATE". PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap
Filed Aug 30, 2002SC

FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE FILLER NECK WHEN REFUELING. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL RUNS OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. *SCC

Tires
Filed Aug 12, 2002CA

WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT FRONT AND LEFT REAR TIRES BLEWOUT, THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, FUT TUR SE, P215/70R14, DOT NUMBER VDHYNMA396. *SLC

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/RegulatorFire
Filed May 22, 2002CA

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING RUBBER SMELL DUE TO A FIRE IN ALTERNATOR SYSTEM. THIS WAS THE SECOND AEROSTAR STAR VEHICLE THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Mar 30, 2002CA

I PURCHASED MY VAN FROM MONARCH FORD IN EXETER MARCH OF 1996, BEFORE BUYING THE VAN I ASKED THEM TO PLEASE GIVE ME THE FORMER OWNERS PHONE NUMBER SO THAT I COULD CONTACT THEM INREGARDS TO ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS THEY HAD BEFORE SELLING IT BACK TO FORD. MONARCH FORD REFUSED AND I GUESS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A WARNING TO ME, I ALSO ASKED IF THEY HAD REPAINTED THE VAN BECAUSE THE FORD AND AEROSTAR EMBLEMS WERE NOT ON THE BACK OF THE VAN. THEY SAID ABSOTULY NOT THAT IT WAS EVERYTHING THE SAME. IT WAS ONLY 10 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY VAN THAT I NOTICED A GAS SMELL AND HAD IT CHECK WITH MONARCH IN EXETER. THEY ASSURED ME THEY COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK BUT THAT THEY COULD SMELL THE GAS. I HAVE SINCE HAD IT TO MANY OTHER STATIONS TO HAVE IT CHECK AND I GET THEY SAME ANSWER. I HAVE DONE SOME INVESTIGATING MYSELF AND FOUND THAT FORD HAS A EXSISTING PROBLEM WITH THEIR FUEL TANKS AND LEAKS. I FEEL THIS IS WHAT HAS HAPPEN IN MY CASE. I FEEL I HAVE A LEAK IN MY GAS TANK AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL THIS IS THE MANUFACTORS REPONSEABLITY AND THAT IT WHY I AM ASKING FOR YOUR HELP. THE GAS LEAK IS GETTING WORSE AND THE SMELL IS REALLY BAD. I NEED THIS VAN FIXED IT IS A HAZARD TO DRIVE. EVERYWHERE I TAKE IT THEY TELL ME THEY CAN SMELL IT AND THAT I SHOULD NOT DRIVE IT BUT THAT THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD IT IS A FACTORY PROBLEM? CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT TO DO AND HOW I CAN GET THIS RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I KNOW FORD HAS THIS PROBLEM I JUST DO N

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash
Filed Feb 25, 2002WI

VEHICLE WAS PARKED. DRIVER TURNED IGNITION AND VEHICLE WAS IDLING WHEN IT STARTED TO REV, SUDDENLY TRANSMISSION JUMPED INTO REVERSE AND HIT A BUILDING.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Feb 12, 2002VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTDOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THERE IS A SIGN BURNING PLASTIC. RECALL NUMBER 96G07100. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

20 of 195 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1993
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20006000Routine
19997001Fatalities reported
19984010Routine
199763520Routine
1996104640Routine
19951577180Routine
19942575284Fatalities reported
19933744380High concern
19923175304Fatalities reported
19912234691Fatalities reported
1990 — this page1957570High concern

Compare every Aerostar year →

Reading this record

A high number of complaints describe fires or crashes.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 11, 1998. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.