Model year record

1989 Ford Aerostar

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

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.