RoadVitals

1988 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.
177
Latest Feb 19, 2004
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.
5
Latest Aug 11, 1998
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.
12
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.
48
11 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 177 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Ford Aerostar, most frequently naming the fuel system, electrical and seat belts categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 12 NHTSA investigations name it; and 31 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

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
98V190000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Aug 11, 1998
140,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
The 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.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 98M03View 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
96V071000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Apr 25, 1996
7,900,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA96030ClosedEngineering Analysis

CRACKED FUEL TANKS

Opened Dec 20, 1996
Closed Aug 13, 1998

CRACKED FUEL TANKS ARE LEAKING FUEL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 98V190000
PE96050ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

CRACKED FUEL TANKS

Opened Aug 6, 1996
Closed Dec 20, 1996

CRACKED FUEL TANKS ARE LEAKING FUEL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA94025ClosedEngineering Analysis

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

Opened Jul 19, 1994
Closed Sep 30, 1997

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
PE94021ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

Opened Mar 4, 1994
Closed Jul 19, 1994

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 177
Fuel system
Filed Feb 19, 2004

CONSUMER IS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL TANK LEAKING AFTER RECALL 98V190000 REPAIRS WERE DONE. CONSUMER SMELLS GAS FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE . *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10046079
Incident
Oct 13, 2003
Mileage
144,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 16, 2004

THE VAN WAS UNABLE TO PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO A GAS LEAK FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THERE WAS A FUEL TANK CRACK RECALL, BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS OUTSIDE THE REMEDY SCOPE. *JB *MR *NM

NHTSA ID
10048534
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 15, 2004

GAS TANK WAS RECALLED 12/98 UNDER 98MO3. GAS TANK DID DEVELOP CRACKS AND WAS REPLACED BY FORD IN 8/01. REPLACEMENT GAS TANK DEVELOPED CRACKS IN 9/03. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP THAT PERFORMED ORIGINAL WARRANTY WORK STATES THE REPLACEMENT GAS TANK HAS FAILED BECAUSE OF MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. BUT FORD REFUSES TO REPLACE GAS TANK AGAIN, EVEN KNOWING THEIR LOCAL DEALERSHIP STATES THIS IS A FORD PRODUCT DEFECT. BASICALLY, FORD REALIZED IT HAD A DEFECTIVE PART (GAS TANK), OFFERED A REMEDY TO FIX THE DEFECTIVE PART, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED IN THE SAME WAY AS THE ORIGINAL DEFECTIVE PART. FORD SAYS IT IS NO LONGER THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.

NHTSA ID
10071097
Incident
Oct 15, 2003
Mileage
147,700 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 15, 2004

I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK AND THAT I COULD GET IN IT AND DRIVE TO FLORIDA RIGHT NOW. WELL IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN TWO WEEKS SINCE I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK AND SO FAR THE SHOCK MOUNT IS BUSTED (WAS BROKE BEFORE I EVEN BOUGHT THE TRUCK) VALVE COVER GASKETS ARE LEAKING, POWER STEERING BOX BLEW OUT AND THE FLOOR OF THE TRUCK IN THE CAB IS ALL ROTTTED AWAY. THERE IS A HUGE HOLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE TO WHERE I COULD PUT BOTH MY LEGS THROUGH AND HE WOULDN'T GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK FOR THE VEHICLE. I TOOK PHOTOS OF ALL THIS TO PROVE MY DEFECTS OF THE TRUCK.

NHTSA ID
10070532
Incident
Jul 15, 2003
Mileage
108,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 25, 2003

THE CONSUMER STATED SHE NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE # 98V190000. THE RECALL WAS IN REFERENCE TO THE UPPER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK CRACKING. THE DEALER STATED THIS RECALL EXPIRED ON MARCH 31/02 AND WILL NOW COST $700.00 TO FIX IT. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10048663
Incident
Nov 25, 2003
Mileage
187,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 3, 2003
Fire reported

TRUCK EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. AS A RESULT THE TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHIN TWO HOURS AFTER BEING PARKED. THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD. ALL THE UNDER HOOD ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE MELTED. THE HEAT ALSO CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD.*AK

NHTSA ID
10046164
Mileage
36,520 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 22, 2003

GAS TANK DEFECT STATED IN RECALL 98V190000 OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10044531
Mileage
117,814 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 12, 2003

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO BE INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *SCC *NLM

NHTSA ID
10033973
Incident
Aug 9, 2003
Mileage
386,118 mi

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

002310

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *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

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
1988Viewing17751270.9
198711452075.3
19865391775.7
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.