Model year record

1990 Ford Aerostar

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 254 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 89V223000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
30,000
Reported to NHTSA
1989-12-11
Owners notified
1989-12-27

Defect description

INABILITY TO MAINTAIN PRESSURE IN THE SECONDARY SYSTEM OF THE MASTER CYLINDER (CONTROLS BRAKING OF REAR WHEELS) COULD INCREASE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND REDUCE BRAKE PERFORMANCE AT TEMPERATURES LESS THAN 40 DEGREES.

Safety risk

THIS WOULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS ANDINCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH OR COLLISION.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL NEW DESIGN MASTER CYLINDER INCORPORATING A REDESIGNED SEAL.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch2312,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly18142,143 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1860,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip14190,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1460,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition13
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline11
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator9
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch8
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder8
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash5
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood4
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings4
Tires4
Electrical system3
Electrical system: wiring3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3
Engine and engine cooling: engine3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe3
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch3
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3
Unknown or other3
Visibility: power window devices and controls3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2
Power train2170,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Seats: front assembly: recliner2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components212,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2
Structure: body: door2
Vehicle speed control: linkages2
Visibility: windshield2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1
Engine and engine cooling1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
Fuel system, other1
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly1
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1
Power train: driveline: center support bearing1
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1
Seats1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut1
Suspension1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: shock absorber1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1

The 1989 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1991 model has roughly the same number of 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.