Model year record

1987 Ford Aerostar

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 140 owner complaints on file.

Ford Aerostar, 1986–1997 generation
Pictured: the 1986–1997 generation. order_242, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 91V136000

Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut

Component
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
112,000
Reported to NHTSA
1991-08-19
Owners notified
1991-10-15

Defect description

SOME LIFTGATE GAS CYLINDER-TO-BODY ATTACHMENT BALL STUDS MAY FRACTURE IN EITHER THE OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION.

Safety risk

IF A BALL STUD FRACTURES, THE LIFTGATE WILL NOT REMAIN INTHE OPEN POSITION. BODILY INJURY COULD RESULT IF THE LIFTGATE DROPS WHILESOMEONE IS UNDER IT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE GAS CYLINDER-TO-BODY ATTACHMENT BALL STUDS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 89V226000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component
Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
118,787
Reported to NHTSA
1989-12-18
Owners notified
1990-01-26

Defect description

VANS WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT PLASTIC COVER DESIGNED TO COVER OUTBOARD SEAT BACK PIVOT HINGE ALLOWING WEBBING OF FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE SAFETY BELTS TO BECOME ABRADED OR CUT DUE TO CONTACT WITH EXPOSED HINGE.

Safety risk

DAMAGE TO BELT WEBBING COULD WEAKEN BELTS TO POINT OFFAILURE INCREASING RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT OR A SUDDEN STOP.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL PLASTIC PIVOT COVER; REPLACE BELTS AS NECESSARY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V091000

Electrical system: wiring

Component
Electrical system: wiring
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
60,000
Reported to NHTSA
1988-06-06
Owners notified
1988-07-01

Defect description

VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TRAILER TOW PACKAGE HAVE A TRAILER TAILLIGHT RELAY ASSEMBLY THAT CONTAINS WIRES OF SMALLER GAUGE THAN THE FUSE LINK WHICH PROTECTS THE CIRCUIT.

Safety risk

SHOULD A SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THE WIRING WITHIN THERELAY OR IF WATER INTRUSION OCCURS THE SMALLER GAUGE WIRE IN THE RELAY WILLFUNCTION AS A FUSE LINK AND OVERHEAT. THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR A FIRE IF THEWIRES ARE EXPOSED TO COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALLATION OF A RELAY WITH WIRES OF GAUGE ADEQUATE TO PROTECT THE CIRCUIT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 87V139000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
3,600,000
Reported to NHTSA
1987-09-04
Owners notified
1987-10-12

Defect description

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Safety risk

COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline16—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly15—
Power train: automatic transmission14—
Electrical system: ignition: switch13—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood11—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator6—
Vehicle speed control5—
Electrical system: wiring4—
Electrical system: ignition: module3—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3—
Seats3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut3—
Electrical system: ignition2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock2—
Seat belts2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1—
Steering1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Steering: linkages1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—

The 1986 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1988 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Aerostar model years

All Ford Aerostar recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.