RoadVitals

1986 Ford Aerostar

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
53
Latest Apr 24, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
9
Latest Aug 27, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
17
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
24
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 53 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Ford Aerostar, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and transmission categories. 9 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 17 NHTSA investigations name it; and 27 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical1931.1%
  • Engine1118.0%
  • Transmission711.5%
  • Seat belts58.2%
  • Fuel system58.2%
  • Interior & seats46.6%
  • Steering34.9%
  • Driver assistance23.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

9 campaigns cover this model year

View all 9

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E064000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Aug 27, 2007
34,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
The risk: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
The remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
98E010000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR

Apr 8, 1998
23,500 units potentially affected
The defect: EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE.
The risk: LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.
The remedy: AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED/INSTALLED FOR REPLACEMENT.
AIMCO PRODUCTS INC.View on NHTSA.gov
90V021000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

Feb 8, 1990
91,000 units potentially affected
The defect: INSUFFICIENT INTERFERENCE FIT BETWEEN FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND GROMMET COULD RESULT IN AN INADEQUATE SEAL WHICH COULD ALLOW FUEL TO SEEP FROM THE JOINT.
The risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: INSTALL A REVISED DESIGN GROMMET.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE91127ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

PARK PAWL BENDING

Opened Sep 16, 1991
Closed Nov 8, 1991

There is no summary currently available

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONLed to recall 91V189000
EA91015ClosedEngineering Analysis

LIFTGATE FAILURE

Opened Feb 1, 1991
Closed Sep 20, 1991

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURELed to recall 91V136000
PE91005ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

LIFTGATE FAILURE

Opened Oct 18, 1990
Closed Feb 1, 1991

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE
EA90042ClosedEngineering Analysis

THROTTLE STICKING

Opened Aug 31, 1990
Closed Dec 31, 1991

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 53
Fuel system
Filed Apr 24, 2017

THE GROMMET IN THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING. FUEL IS ESCAPING FROM THE TANK AND MAY CAUSE A FIRE. THERE IS A CONSTANT ESCAPE OF FUEL MOVING OR STATIONARY. THEREFORE THIS SYSTEM WILL NOT PASS SMOG BECAUSE WHEN PRESSURIZED, IT WILL NOT HOLD AIR. THIS IS A CALIFORNIA REQUIREMENT. IT IS ALSO MOST DANGEROUS. FORD MOTOR CO. WILL NOT CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THE 9 RECALLS FOR THIS MODEL IS ON YOUR SYSTEM.

NHTSA ID
10980287
Incident
Jun 1, 2016
Mileage
300,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 21, 2001

TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT 3 YEARS AGO AT FORD DEALER, THEN, IN OCT 2000 WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
883658
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
Electrical
Filed Mar 10, 2000
Fire reported

TRIED TO START VAN AND FIRE STARTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
719933
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 28, 1999

POSSIBLE WIRING HARNESS IN THE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTING IN FIRE. NLM

NHTSA ID
549265
Incident
Sep 5, 1999
Transmission
Filed Oct 5, 1999

WHEN APPLYING GAS THERE IS NO POWER, AS IF VEHICLE IS IN NEUTRAL. DEALER SAYS THE VEHICLE HAS THE WRONG TRANSMISSION IN IT. *AK

NHTSA ID
849990
Engine
Filed Sep 20, 1999
Fire reported

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE, CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS FAILURE IS RELATED TO PAST RECALLS. NLM

NHTSA ID
548615
Incident
Aug 13, 1999
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 30, 1999

DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE DUE TO A FAULTY BOLT IN THE HINGES. *AK

NHTSA ID
843877
Incident
Dec 10, 1992
Electrical
Filed Jun 22, 1999

THIS VAN HAS FAILED ME OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND OUT OF THE 1.5 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP I DROVE IT FOR 2 MONTHS AND NOT EVEN 6000 MILES .IT WAS PUT IN THE SHOP 7 TIMES, AND FINALLY BURNT UNDER THE HOOD AND DOG HOUSING. *AK

NHTSA ID
707752
Incident
Feb 1, 1998

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

01156

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

01124

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ON SOME VEHICLES, ENGINE OIL MAY CONTINUE TO LEAK FROM THE ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET AREA AFTER AN ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED. *TT

0015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

99222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

99196

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Aerostar by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000600—
1999700—
1998400—
1997635259.7
19961046260.5
19951577365.5
19942575566.7
19933744566.4
19923175566.5
19912234271.0
19901957574.3
19892606975.6
198817751270.9
198711452075.3
1986Viewing5391775.7
1985002—
1984000—
1976000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.