1988 Ford Aerostar Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1988 Ford Aerostar, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system5325.5%
- Electrical4320.7%
- Seat belts2813.5%
- Engine136.3%
- Transmission125.8%
- Interior & seats125.8%
- Brakes94.3%
- Body & structure83.8%
- Driver assistance62.9%
- Visibility52.4%
- Powertrain (other)52.4%
- Steering52.4%
- Suspension41.9%
- Tires & wheels21.0%
- Exterior lighting10.5%
- Airbags10.5%
- Other / unspecified10.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER IS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL TANK LEAKING AFTER RECALL 98V190000 REPAIRS WERE DONE. CONSUMER SMELLS GAS FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE . *AK *NM
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO BE INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *SCC *NLM
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELT CONECTOR ON DRIVERS SIDE . PUTTON RELEASE IS FROZEN . WILL NOT LOCK BELT ON .*AK
FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS FAILED. NLM
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING, DEALER RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE MOTOR, AFTER MOTOR WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO SAID THE REPLACEMENT MOTOR WAS NO GOOD, THEY WOULD NOT PUT A BETTER MOTOR IN AND CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSED. *SLC
ENGINE FAILED, REPLACED ENGINE AND FAILED AGAIN. *MJS
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. IT WOULD SHIFT OUT OF GEAR AT STOPS. THEN DELAY GOING INTO GEAR AND FINALLY LUNGE INTO GEAR VIOLENTLY. SOMETIMES IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. *AK
WHILE IN MOTION TRANSMISSION JUMPED OUT OF DRIVE INTO REVERSE GEAR, DRIVER LOST CONTROL, VEHICLE CRASHED INTO VEHICLE BEHIND, NO WARNING, TRANSMISSION REPLACED. *AK
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
LIFTGATE ARM LATCH BROKE, DOOR WILL NOT STAY UP WHEN OPENED.*AK *YH
BODY RUST&BROKEN FRONT DRIVERS SEAT.GAS PEDAL STICKING.*AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. ALSO THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR HAD TO BE TOPPED UP CONSTANTLY DUE TO BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING FROM A CRACK IN THE BRAKE HOSE. THE MECHANIC EXAMINED A SIMILAR FORD AEROSTAR 1990 AND STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE SAME LIKE THE 1988 FORD AEROSTAR.( WRITTEN IN BY A PROFFESSIONAL MECHANIC)*YH
THE BRAKES ON OUR 1988 FORD AEROSTAR COULD BE DEADLY. THE ASSEMBELY FAILS ABOUT EVERY 12K-15K MILES, AND HAS RESULTED IN ONE ACCIDENT, AND MANY SKIDS. IN ADITION, THE HYDROLIC CYLINDER THAT HOLDS THE REAR HATCHGATE "UP" FAILED AFTER BEING LOWERED. TO USE THE HATCHGATE, A PIECE OF WOOD MUST BE UTILIZED.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE BRAKES ON OUR 1988 FORD AEROSTAR COULD BE DEADLY. THE ASSEMBELY FAILS ABOUT EVERY 12K-15K MILES, AND HAS RESULTED IN ONE ACCIDENT, AND MANY SKIDS. IN ADITION, THE HYDROLIC CYLINDER THAT HOLDS THE REAR HATCHGATE "UP" FAILED AFTER BEING LOWERED. TO USE THE HATCHGATE, A PIECE OF WOOD MUST BE UTILIZED.
PAINT PEELING ON VEHICLE.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, AND HAD BEEN BACKED INTO THE GARAGE, HEADING OUT. AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, PUTTING IT INTO GEAR, AND LIGHTLY TOUCHING THE THROTTLE, THE VEHICLE'S THROTTLE WAS SUDDENLY PULLED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE SCREAMED OUT OF THE GARAGE UNCONTROLLABLY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY.*AK
BODY RUST&BROKEN FRONT DRIVERS SEAT.GAS PEDAL STICKING.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VARIOUS PARTS: 1.) HEATER CORE FAILED TO PUT OUT PROPER HEAT IN REAR OF VEHICLE, AND AIR CAUSED THE REAR WINDOW TO FOG UP. 2.) ENGINE HAS AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM WITHIN SECONDS WHILE RUNNING BEFORE IT PICKS UP SPEED, AND 3.) WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO OPERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO CORRECT PROBLEM UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROX. 70 MPH THE DRIVESHAFT BLEW UP, CAUSING DAMAGES TO GAS SHIELD/TAIL PIPE/TRANSMISSION AND ALTERNATOR. DEALER/MFR. NOTIFIED. *AK
ODOMETER FRAUD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THE POWER STEERING HOSE BUSTED AND SPRAYED POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO MANIFOLD, CAUSING THE VAN TO CATCH ON FIRE COMPLETELY. THE VAN WAS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
POWER STEERING LINE LEAK. *DSH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
REPLACEMENT TIRES ON A 1988, FORD, ASTRO VAN. FIRESTONE, TRIUMPH RADIAL SR, P21570R14, DOT VDHYTHA035. RIGHT REAR TIRE DETACHED ALL IN ONE PIECE, ALL THE WAY AROUND, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL AND FLIP SEVERAL TIMES.*AK THE TIRE FAILURE CAUSED 1 DEATH AND 7 INJURIES. *SLC
HAD THREE FAILURES OVER 6 MONTHS. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TREAD SEPERATED FROM THE TIRE. THE TIRE REMAINED INFLATED. ALL THREE OCCURRED ON THE REAR WHEELS SO CONTROL WAS NOT AFFECTED ADVERSELY. IN LITE OF THE SIMULAR FAILURES OF OTHER FIRESTONE MODELS I BECAME CONCERNED IF THE PROBLEM MIGHT NOT BE MORE WIDE SPREAD WITHIN FIRESTONE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TRIPS SO THE TIRES WERE CHANGED AND DISGUARDED. I WAS TOLD BY A TIRE COMPETITOR THAT THAT WAS A COMMON OCCURANCE WITH THOSE TIRES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 215R14 )
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHTS CONTINUALLY FAILING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE STRUCK FROM REAR, SPUN TO THE RIGHT HIT AGAIN ON RIGHT FRONT QUATER PANEL AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE PARKED THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE RUSTED, CAUSING THE TIRE TO DROP FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .