Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1989 Ford Aerostar submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 77 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 77, in the owner's own words
MY FORD AEROSTAR CAUGHT FIRE LAST NIGHT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. MY DAUGHTER HAD RETURNED FROM SCHOOL AND PARKED IT IN THE DRIVEWAY. APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS LATER, A NEIGHBOR RANG THE DOOR BELL AND FRANTICALLY SAID "YOUR VAN IS ON FIRE". WE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS THERE WITHIN 3 MINUTES TO PUT IT OUT. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 96V071000 CONCERNING THE IGNITION SWITCH. WHEN HE CONTACTED FORD, THEY COULD NOT FIND THE VIN. THIS STARTED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. THE SWITCH STARTED TO COME APART, CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. HE REPAIRED IT HIMSELF, AND IT IS CURRENTLY WORKING.*AK UPDATED 12/27/2005. *NM
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES. IT HAD BEEN RUNNING PERFECTLY WELL. I NOTICED A MINOR TRIPLE CLICK NOISE WHEN I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION BUT DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF ANYTHING OF IT. AFTER SITTING OFF FOR 30-45 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES HAVING STARTED FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH REPORTS OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ISSUE. WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL PRIOR TO LOOKING FOR IT AFTER OUR VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. FIREMEN INDICATE THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. BEST WAY TO CONTACT ME IS VIA CELLPHONE AT 706-399-7825.*AK
RECAL 96 V 071 000/ ELECTRICAL IGNITION SYSTEM: AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, ENGINE RACES AND VEHICLE OVERHEATS AND SMOKES. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. *AK THE MOTOR CONTINUE TO RUN AFTER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED. *YH
THE ALTERNATOR FAILED SHORT CIRCUIT. MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF CURRENT PASSED FROM THE BATTERY THROUGH THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FAULT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL DUE TO LACK OF IGNITION AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND STOP THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. SMOKE WAS POURING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I MANAGED TO STOP AND OPEN THE HOOD, THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH WAS GLOWING RED INSIDE, BURST INTO FLAMES AND SET FIRE TO CABLES AND RUBBER HOSES AROUND IT. I RECEIVED BURNS TO MY HANDS TRYING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. LUCKY FOR ME ANOTHER MOTORIST STOPPED AND HE HAD AN EXTINGUISHER. I HAVE NOW HAD TWO FIRES OF THIS TYPE, ONE ON EACH OF MY VEHICLES. YESTERDAY I WENT TO AN ALTERNATOR REMANUFACTURING COMPANY HERE IN MONTERREY, AND THE MANGER TOLD ME THAT HE HAS HAD FIVE ENGINE BAY FIRES IN AEROSTAR MINIVANS IN RECENT MONTHS. IN THE 'GOOD OLD DAYS' UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A FUSIBLE LINK BETWEEN THE ALTERNATOR CHARGING LINE AND THE BATTERY + TERMINAL. THERE SHOULD BE A FUSE IN THIS CIRCUIT BECAUSE IT IS CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE BATTERY!! NOT ONLY IS THE FIRE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS A SERIOUS RISK IN THE EVENT OF THIS FAULT, THAT THE OVERLOAD ON THE BATTERY WILL CAUSE IT TO BURST, SHOWERING EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE AROUND IT WITH HOT SULFURIC ACID. PLEASE NOTE ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN THE USA I AM CURRENTLY LIVING IN MONTERREY, MEXICO. MY PHONE IS 01152-8-349-7152 AND EMAIL IS [email protected]. *AK
ALTERNATOR CONNECTORS CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
THE FRONT OF THE HOOD WAS ON FIRE AND INSIDE OF THE DASHBOARD WAS ON FIRE TOO.
WHEN YOU TURNTHE KEY ON. THE IGNITION IS STUCK ON. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO GO OFF, IS TO GET UNDER THE HOOD AND DIS INGAGE THE BATTERY TERMINAL. THIS CAR IS A 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION. HAVE CONTACTED OTHER OWNER AND THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEIRS HAVE TOO. HAVE INCOURAGED THEM TO CONTACT YOU TOO. AND THE DEALER.*AK
WHEN DRIVING LONG DISTANCES THE ENGINE CUTS OFF COMPLETELY DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION MODULE. NLM
WHENEVER VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE IT WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN OFF FOR A WHILE IT COULD BE RESTARTED, BUT WOULD NOT MOVE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO MECHANIC WHO INDICATED IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT IGNITION HAD OVERHEATED, CAUSING STALLING PROBLEM. *AK
DUE TO PLACEMENT OF IGNITION MODULE ON DISTRIBUTOR, AFTER LONG PERIOD OF TRAVEL, VEHICLE SHUTS ITSELF OFF, NO MATTER HOW FAST YOUR GOING, UNTIL VEHICLE HAS COOLED DOWN. COST ME SEVERAL TOW CHARGES.*AK
AFTER DRIVING AND THEN STOPPING VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART UNTIL CONSUMER CHANGED THE IGNITION MODULE. IT JUST HAPPENED AS STATED IN RECALL FROM FORD.*AK
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER. CONSUMER REPLACED IGNITION MODULE,. PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR FOR A BRIEF PERIOD, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FAILURE RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRE, PRIOR TO FIRE THAT SAME AFTERNOON THE CONSUMER HAD A FRIEND REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE MOVED IN FULL FORCE ON ITS OWN. WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD WRAPPED ITSELF AROUND THE ACCELERATOR. THIS DEFECT DID NOT ALLOW CONSUMER TO CONTROL VEHICLE WHICH DID RESULT IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. *AK
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITHOUT IGNITION RUNNING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME FROM WORK (APROX 10 MIN DRIVE) AND PARKED FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES WHEN MY SON NOTICED THE VAN WAS ON FIRE, FLAMES WERE COMING OUT THE FRONT THRU THE RADIATOR OPENING, BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED, THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VAN WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FRONT OF THE VAN IS NOW UNRECOGNIZABLE AND A TOTAL LOSS. IN ADDITON, WE LOST SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS IN PERSONAL EFFECTS. *AK
DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH VEHICLE STALLED IN ROADWAY. OPENED HOOD AND OBSERVED FIRE IN TOP CENTER REAR OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WAS UNABLE TO EXTINQUISH FIRE, RESULTING IN TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF VEHICLE. *AK
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH, NOTICE OF RECALL RECEIVED AFTER FIRE. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED AND ENGINE OFF, REASON UNKNOWN. MFR./DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK
CONSUMER REPORTING AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE ACCELERATION INTERMITTENTLY APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS. PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPAIRS/INSPECTION WAS MADE CONTINUALLY, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER RESOLVED. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND CAN SMELL SOMETHING LIKE WIRES BURNING, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RADIO, FAN BLOWER, AND DASH LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF, AT TIMES THE RADIO WILL NOT WORK AT ALL, BATTERY FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, LOW OIL SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL BRAKE PROBLEMS, BRAKES PULSATE, MASTER CYLINDER LEAK, PROPORTIONING VALVE LEAK, BRAKES GRAB, AND WERE NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL ENGINE RELATED PROBLEMS, CONSUMER STATES THE ENGINE WAS NOISY, OIL WAS LEAKING FROM BOTH SIDES OF ENGINE, THE THERMOSTAT, GASKET SEAL, MAIN SEAL, REAR MAIN SEAL, PAN GASKET, BELTS, AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE LEFT DOOR CORRODED AND RUSTED. FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED, EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS REPLACED, IAC AND THROTTLE BODY WERE REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES SHE WOULD HAVE TO CONSTANTLY KEEP FOOT ON BRAKE DUE TO HIGH RPMS AND LOUD WHINING, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE SUDDENLY IF FOOT WERE OFF THE BRAKE, THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE BRAKES WERE NOT STOPPING VEHICLE. RIGHT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO WOBBLE, FRONT BEARING NEEDED PACKED, RIGHT REAR AXLE WAS LOOSE. DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER ASSEMBLY WAS OUT, CAUSING A LOUD TICKING AND THUD NOISE. AIR CONDITIONER WAS BLOWING HOT AIR, THE HEATER MODE SELECTOR IS SLOW TO RETURN FROM THE VENT WHEN CHANGED. OUTER TIE ROD ENDS NEEDED REPLACED. *SLC
DEFECTIVE PLUG WHICH CLASPS ONTO ALTERNATOR CAUSED A FIRE. DEALER HAS REPLACED ALTERNATOR 3 TIMES, BUT DEFECT IS STILL OCCURRING. *AK *ML
WHILE RIDING IN VEHICLE SMOKE WAS SMELLED COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH. STOPPED THE VAN AND SMOKE POURED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE ALTENATOR WAS ON FIRE. THIS ALTENATOR WAS REPLACED APPROX. 6 MONTHS AGO. THE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED TO THE MANUFATURER'S INSTRUCTIONS.
IGNITION SWITCH; IS ABLE TO REMOVE KEY IN ANY GEAR, EVEN IF THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND STILL RUNNING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WAS NORMAL. *AK
IGNITION SWICH WOULD TURN ON OR NOT TURN ON INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN SWITCH; NHTSA RECALL # 96V-071, UNDER WHICH VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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