Model year record

1988 Ford Aerostar

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

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.