Model year record

1996 Ford Aerostar

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 124 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V029000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
762,201
Reported to NHTSA
1999-02-09
Owners notified
1999-03-19

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A HIGHER THAN SPECIFIED ELECTRICAL LOAD THROUGH THE ACCESSORY POWER FEED CIRCUIT. THE POTENTIAL FOR CONTACT BETWEEN THE B2 (BATTERY), A2 (ACCESSORY), AND P1 (PROOF) CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR, CREATING A SHORT CIRCUIT, ALLOWING CURRENT TO FLOW THROUGH THE GROUND WIRE.

Safety risk

THIS CAN CAUSE OVER HEATING AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A JUMPER HARNESS WITH A RELAY WHICH WILL RE-ROUTE AND ACTIVATE ALL A2 ACCESSORIES THROUGH THE RELAY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V204000

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)

Component
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
75,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-11-13
Owners notified
1998-02-16

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER MINIVANS. THESE VEHICLES CAN DEVELOP POWERTRAIN BENDING RESONANCE OR TRANSFER CASE OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING DISPLACEMENT. THE POWERTRAIN BENDING RESONANCE OR THE OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING DISPLACEMENT CAN RESULT IN STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND/OR TRANSFER CASE. FLUID EXPLUSION, DRIVESHAFT SEPARATION OR LOSS OF VEHICLE DRIVE CAN RESULT.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND, IF THE EXPELLED FLUID CONTACTS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TRANSFER CASE REAR OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING AND AN ALUMINUM DRIVESHAFT WILL BE INSTALLED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V161000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
134,770
Reported to NHTSA
1996-08-29
Owners notified
1996-12-11

Defect description

THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAS INCORRECT REAR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE DESIGNATIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Safety risk

INCORRECT INFLATION PRESSURES COULD CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR TIRES. .

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THESE LABELS. DEALERS CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V070000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
73,500
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-22
Owners notified
1996-05-15

Defect description

WHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."

Safety risk

THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Wheels1558,000 mi
Wheels: rim8124,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch6
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor6
Air bags: frontal5
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip5
Electrical system: ignition481,300 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch4115,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4
Power train: automatic transmission3
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift3
Power train: driveline: driveshaft3214,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper3
Steering: hydraulic power assist system3
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm3
Structure: body: door3
Tires: tread/belt399,500 mi
Electrical system2107,000 mi
Seats2
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Tires2
Vehicle speed control2
Air bags1140,000 mi
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: engine1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Equipment: other: labels1
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
Parking brake1
Power train1160,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: driveline1
Power train: driveline: universal joint1214,000 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)181,000 mi
Seat belts1158,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, air: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Structure: body1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1
Unknown or other1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 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.