Known Recalls

Model year record

1997 Ford Aerostar

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 83 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V425000

Vehicle speed control: cables

Component
Vehicle speed control: cables
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
36,500
Reported to NHTSA
2000-12-26
Owners notified
2001-02-23

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES. AN ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS KINKED DURING INSTALLATION, CAUSING THE CORE WIRES TO EVENTUALLY FRAY.

Safety risk

THIS COULD INCREASE THE FRICTION IN THE CABLE, CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO BE SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ACCELERATOR CABLE.

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch7—
Vehicle speed control648,000 mi
Wheels: rim474,000 mi
Air bags: frontal3—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3—
Wheels3100,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Fuel system, gasoline248,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2—
Power train2132,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift2—
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2—
Tires2—
Unknown or other2132,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages2—
Air bags: on-off switch assembly1—
Electrical system1160,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Engine1100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Interior lighting1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock199,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1—
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)185,493 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1—
Structure: body: door1—
Suspension1—
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Tires: tread/belt124,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal165,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—

The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has 21 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.