Model year record

1989 Ford Aerostar

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 328 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 91V189000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
792,000
Reported to NHTSA
1991-11-04
Owners notified
1992-03-02

Defect description

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

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.

Recall campaignNHTSA 91V164000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component
Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer
SHERROD VANS, INC.
Vehicles affected
4,842
Reported to NHTSA
1991-09-20
Owners notified
1992-06-04

Defect description

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

Safety risk

VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE NONCOMPLYING SOFA BAR WITH BAR THAT MEETS REQUIREMENTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 90V144000

Seats: front assembly: recliner

Component
Seats: front assembly: recliner
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
14,300
Reported to NHTSA
1990-08-06
Owners notified
1990-09-19

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE SEAT PAWL ASSEMBLY WITH A REVISED DESIGN ASSEMBLY.

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 assembly47160,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch43208,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly20
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash16
Power train: automatic transmission14
Electrical system: ignition12
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline12
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch11
Vehicle speed control11102,371 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator9
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood8155,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring7
Engine and engine cooling: engine7
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap5
Seat belts: front: retractor5
Structure: body: door5
Tires5
Seat belts: front: anchorage4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder4
Electrical system3
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core3
Electrical system: ignition: module2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Fuel system, gasoline2
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter2
Power train: manual transmission2
Seat belts: front: webbing2
Seat belts: rear/other2
Seats2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2244,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist2
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2
Structure2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2
Wheels2
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk1
Engine and engine cooling1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly1
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Power train: driveline1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, hydraulic1102,371 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
Steering: linkages1
Steering: rack and pinion1
Suspension1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1

The 1988 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1990 model has about 1.5 times 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.