1995 Ford Aerostar

Routine

Owners filed 157 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 › Switch17
041
Power Train › Automatic Transmission7
010
Air Bags › Frontal7
706
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift6
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch6
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip5
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine5
000
Vehicle Speed Control4
200
Unknown or Other4
000
Structure › Body › Door4
000

7 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic06E022000
Filed Mar 13, 20067,440 vehiclesBrake Parts, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

Risk. LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood99V028000
Filed Feb 9, 199923,097 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. HEAT GENERATION IN THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE FUEL PUMP/SENDER ASSEMBLY CAN CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE VEHICLE COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF POWER AND BECOME IMMOBILIZED AND THE FUEL GAUGE MAY BE ERRATIC.

Risk. HEAT DAMAGE, INCLUDING MELTING OR CHARRING OF THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDER ASSEMBLY WIRE HARNESS AND ASSOCIATED WIRING HARNESSES CAN ALSO RESULT. THE SHORT CIRCUIT COULD ALSO HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS IN THE FUEL PUMP GROUND CIRCUIT THAT WILL BE INSTALLED AT THE FUEL PUMP INERTIA SHUT-OFF SWITCH.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch99V029000
Filed Feb 9, 1999762,201 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES WERE 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, CREATING A SHORT CIRCUIT, ALLOWING CURRENT TO FLOW THROUGH THE GROUND WIRE.

Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE OVER HEATING AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A JUMPER HARNESS WITH A RELAY WHICH WILL RE-ROUTE AND ACTIVATE ALL A2 ACCESSORIES THROUGH THE RELAY.

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.

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)97V204000
Filed Nov 13, 199775,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER MINIVANS. THESE VEHICLES CAN DEVELOP POWERTRAIN BENDING RESONANCE OR TRANSFER CASE OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING DISPLACEMENT. THE POWERTRAIN BENDING RESONANCE OR THE OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING DISPLACEMENT CAN RESULT IN STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND/OR TRANSFER CASE. FLUID EXPLUSION, DRIVESHAFT SEPARATION OR LOSS OF VEHICLE DRIVE CAN RESULT.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND, IF THE EXPELLED FLUID CONTACTS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TRANSFER CASE REAR OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING AND AN ALUMINUM DRIVESHAFT WILL BE INSTALLED.

Equipment › Other › Labels95V037000
Filed Feb 28, 199512,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THE CERTIFICATION LABEL ON THESE VEHICLES HAVE INCORRECT REAR TIRE SIZES LISTED. P215/70R14SL SHOULD BE P215/75R14SL. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE INCORRECTLY SIZED REAR TIRE WOULD NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT LOAD CAPACITY FOR THE VEHICLE'S SPECIFIED GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE MAILED A SUPPLEMENTARY LABEL CONTAINING THE CORRECT REAR TIRE INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THE LABEL ON THEIR VEHICLES. IF OWNERS PREFER, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.

Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/Rack94V239000
Filed Dec 1, 19949,400 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THE SPARE TIRE SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLE CAN CONTACT THE BRAKE LINES ON THE REAR AXLE IF IT IS MOUNTED IN THE UNDERBODY SPARE TIRE CARRIER. SUCH CONTACT COULD RESULT IN FRACTURE OF A REAR BRAKE LINE.

Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN REDUCED VEHICLE BRAKE CAPABILITY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOWER PROFILE MINI-SPARE TIRE ON THE EXISTING MINI-SPARE WHEEL. THE NEW TIRE WILL ALLOW THE MINI-SPARE TO BE INSTALLED WITH APPROPRIATE CLEARANCES IN THE UNDERBODY SPARE TIRE CARRIER.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 29, 2014165,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD AEROSTAR. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DETECTED A STRONG FUEL ODOR AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL STRAP AND THE FUEL INLET WERE CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire1 injured
Filed Oct 22, 2007150,000 milesMI

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.

Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Buckle Assembly
Filed Jul 9, 2006140,000 milesOR

WENT TO INSTALL CAR SEAT IN THREE ROW, PASSENGER SIDE AND THE SEAT BELT CAME UNLATCHED. IT WILL NOT STAY BUCKLED AT ALL. WENT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE US OVER $100 FOR BUCKLE AND AN HOURS WORTH OF LABOR. WE ARE DUE IN 2 WEEKS WITH THIRD CHILD AND THAT IS THE ONLY SPOT LEFT IN THE VAN THAT THE CAR SEAT FITS IN. *NM

Tires
Filed Jun 24, 2006138,000 milesTX

AT APPROXIMATELY 12:00 AM 6/23/06, I WAS DRIVING FROM ALBANY, TX TO DALLAS, TX ON HIGHWAY 180... AND THE TREAD ON MY RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE. THE TIRE IS A BRIDGESTONE TURANZA. I WAS DOING BETWEEN 70 AND 75 AT THE TIME AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO REDUCE SPEED TO ABOUT 25. INTERESTINGLY, THE REMAINING TIRE DID NOT GO FLAT. IT WAS STILL INFLATED WHEN I CAME TO A HALT. THE TREAD TORE OFF PART OF MY REAR BUMPER AND MARKED UP THE REAR SIDE PANEL OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN MANY PICTURES OF THE TIRE AND OF THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. THIS IS THE THIRD TIRE OF A 4 TIRE SET THAT HAS GIVEN ME PROBLEMS. THE FIRST TWO DEVELOPED RIDGES IN THE TREAD. I REPLACED THEM LAST AUGUST. THE REAR TIRES AT THE TIME SEEMED FINE. NOW, TEN MONTHS LATER... HERE I AM ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE TREAD SEPARATES. I COULD HAVE EASILY DIED OR BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. IF THERE HAD BEEN TRAFFIC AT THE TIME... THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT AS MY VEHICLE WAS ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY UNTIL THE SPEED WAS REDUCED AND CONTROL COULD BE REGAINED. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Oct 6, 2005111,000 milesWI

DT: THE CALLER SAID IGNITION FAILED. SHE SAID A YEAR AGO THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED BY ITSELF WITHOUT A KEY. SHE STATED THAT CURRENTLY SHE HAD INTERMITTENT TROUBLE STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WILL COME ON BUT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. DEALER SAID VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED. THEY WILL NOT HELP HER FOR FREE. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK *NM

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Mar 30, 2005125,000 milesGA

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE OFFICE PARKING LOT. SUDDENLY A CUSTOMER NOTIFIED THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A VEHICLE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURE WILL MAKE CONTACT WITH THE CONSUMER FOR INSPECTION. *NM *NM

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Feb 25, 2005GA

THE INTERIOR OF THE DASH BOARD CAUGHT FIRE ON ITS OWN, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED BY CONSUMER. *NM

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jun 24, 2004151,000 milesNC

CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO GET THE VEHICLE RECALL 99V029000 REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE DEALER KEPT GIVING THE CONSUMER EXCUSES WHY THEY COULD NOT FIX THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK *SC *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Apr 1, 2004170,000 milesAR

HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AND ON. USE TO ONLY HAPPEN WHILE ON HIGH BEAM. BUT IS NOW DOING IT ON LOW BEAM. THIS IS THE SECOND FORD I HAVE OWNED TO DO THIS.*AK

Wheels › Multi PieceCrash4 injured
Filed Sep 25, 2003148,000 milesMI

REAR PASSENGER WHEEL CAME OFF OF 1995 FORD AEROSTAR EXT VAN. THE WHEEL INCLUDED THE REAR BRAKE DRUM AND BROKE THE AXLE, RESULTING IN A CRASH INTO THE HIGHWAY MEDIAN AT 60MPH.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed May 28, 2003NY

SLIDING DOOR WILL EITHER NOT LATCH AT ALL OR IT WILL STAY CLOSED AND WE ARE UNABLE TO OPEN IT .

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Apr 30, 2003MD

WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER PUT OUT THE FLAMES, BUT THE PANEL KEPT SMOKING. THE GROUND WIRE TO THE POWER WINDOWS HAD TO BE CUT TO STOP THE PANEL FROM SMOKING. *JB THE BURNED SWITCH ASSEMBLY WAS REPAIRED ON THE LEFT SIDE DOOR. *SCC

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jan 21, 2003103,000 milesFL

BLOW OUT AND TREAD SEPERATION ON A BF GOODRICH RADIAL T/A (P215/70SR14 96S M+S) AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. APPROX 34,000 MILES ON THE TIRE. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH SOUTH ON THE SAWGRASS EXPRESSWAY (SUNRISE, FL) BETWEEN MILE MARKER 4 AND 5, MY RIGHT REAR TIRE MADE A POPING SOUND AND WENT FLAT ALMOST IMMEDIATLY (3 TO 4 SECONDS). I WAS ABLE TO GET MY VEHICLE SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE SHOWED ABOUT A 4 TO 6 INCH TREAD SEPERATION. AFTER AAA REMOVED THE TIRE, THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE SHOWED ALMOST COMPLETE TREAD SEPERATION (IT LOOKED LIKE THE TIRE HAD EXPLODED). THE SIDEWALLS APPEAR TO HAVE FAILED AS WELL. I HAD HAD THE TIRES CHECKED ABOUT TWO WEEKS PRIOR AFTER HAVING A NAIL REMOVED AND PATCHED ON THE LEFT FRONT. INFLATION WAS NORMAL. THE TEMERATURE WAS ABOUT 68 DEGREES AND I HAD BEEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. THE TIRES HAD ABOUT 34,000 MILES OF WEAR ON THEM. THEY WERE REGULARLY ROTATED AND INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE IS A 1995 FORD AREOSTAR XLT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO KEEP THE TIRE, BUT I WAS ABLE TO TAKE 13 DIGITAL PICTURES OF THE FRONT, BACK AND TREAD OF THE TIRE. I WILL MAKE THEM AVAILABLE AT YOUR REQUEST (CD-ROM OR ELECTRONICALY).

Air BagsCrash3 injured
Filed Nov 16, 2002MO

OUR VAN WAS THE FIRST VEHICLE HIT IN A FOUR CAR PILE UP. OUR VAN AND TWO OTHER VEHICLES WERE STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT WHEN STRUCK. OUR VAN SUSTAINED SUBSTANCIAL ENOUGH DAMAGE BOTH IN FRONT AND BEHIND TO TOTAL IT. THE DRIVERS AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED SO I'M HAVING TO RECEIVE SOME PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR NECK INJURIES. I WONDER IF MY AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED WOULD I HAVE HAD TO GO THROUGH THESE DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS AND THERAPY. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE? DT

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Nov 4, 2002TX

SEVERE SHIMMY OF FRONT END. REPLACE BUSHINGS AND SHOCKS STILL THERE. DEALERS AND SERVICE SHOPS UNABLE TO CONFIRM COMPLAINT. FRIENDS HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEM. DT

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Sep 23, 2002CA

CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH A LIGHT POLE AT 27 MPH AND THE FRONTAL DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOYED. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Aug 21, 2002AZ

PLASTIC FUEL TANK IS CRACKING AT THE TOP WHICH IS CAUSING A MASSIVE FUEL LEAK, AND POSSIBLE HAZARD. FUEL TANK MUST BE KEPT AT HALF LEVEL, BUT IT DOES NOT STOP FUMES FROM ENTERING COMPARTMENT. *AK *YH

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 5, 2002MA

BLACK EXHAUST/SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM REAR END OF VAN DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILING WHILE BEING DRIVEN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 18, 2002NJ

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE ROOF OF HIS VEHICLE HAS BEGUN TO FLAKE OFF IN DIFFERENT AREAS. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO LOCAL BODY SHOPS. THE TECHNICIANS AT BOTH SHOPS TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THEY SAW THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER FORD VEHICLES. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THE REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. *NM

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed May 20, 2002CA

A BOLT WHICH HOLDS BACK REST HAS SHEARED OFF AND CAUSED SEAT TO COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOIRMATION.*AK

20 of 157 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1993
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20006000Routine
19997001Fatalities reported
19984010Routine
199763520Routine
1996104640Routine
1995 — this page1577180Routine
19942575284Fatalities reported
19933744380High concern
19923175304Fatalities reported
19912234691Fatalities reported
19901957570High concern

Compare every Aerostar year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

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: Mar 13, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.