Model year record

1988 Ford Aerostar

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 230 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V190000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
140,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-08-11
Owners notified
1998-12-11

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V071000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
7,900,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-25
Owners notified
1996-06-07

Defect description

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

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 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly38120,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly19
Electrical system: ignition: switch17386,118 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline12
Power train: automatic transmission10
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood836,520 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator6
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap6
Electrical system: ignition5
Seat belts: front: anchorage5
Vehicle speed control5
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash4
Fuel system, gasoline4147,700 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum4
Electrical system3
Electrical system: wiring3
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable3
Power train: driveline: differential unit3
Seat belts: front: retractor3
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections3
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump3
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut3
Suspension: front3
Electrical system: ignition: module2
Engine and engine cooling: engine2
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch2
Power train2
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2
Seat belts: front: webbing2
Structure: body2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core2
Air bags: frontal1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly1
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1
Seat belts1
Seats1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Steering1108,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: tailgate1
Suspension1108,000 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs1
Tires1
Tires: tread/belt1
Unknown or other1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1

The 1987 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1989 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.

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.