1990 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 1990 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
- Electrical5223.4%
- Transmission3214.4%
- Fuel system2812.6%
- Brakes2712.2%
- Driver assistance167.2%
- Engine167.2%
- Interior & seats104.5%
- Steering83.6%
- Visibility83.6%
- Powertrain (other)52.3%
- Seat belts52.3%
- Body & structure41.8%
- Tires & wheels41.8%
- Heating & air conditioning31.4%
- Suspension31.4%
- Exterior lighting10.5%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKING SYSTEM -- MASTER CYLINDER
THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURES DESCRIBED IN THE MASTER CYLINDER PISTONS RECALL 89V223000. IN ADDITION, THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. ALSO, THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL 96V071000 BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INDICATED THAT THE INCIDENT WAS INCONCLUSIVE. THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION RECALL 91V189000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *SC *JB
TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED IN PARK AND VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY. THERE WAS NO NOTICES OF SUCH A RECALL OR ANY OTHER RECALLS, FOR THIS VEHICLE. 1990 FORD AEROSTAR. *JB
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
1990 FORD AEROSTAR HAD CRACK IN FUEL TANK CAUSING CONSUMER TO REPLACE THE TANK. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN DEC 1998 REGARDING THE GAS TANK, HOWEVER AT THE TIME HE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS TANK. THE CONSUMER IS NOW REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE GAS TANK THAT HE HAD TO REPLACE. *JB
MY 1990 FORD AEROSTAR WAS LEAKING GASOLINE. THE FUMES WOULD OVERCOME YOU WHILE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE VAN SAT FOR A SHORT TIME GAS WOULD BE ALL OVER THE GROUND FROM THE LEAK. I PAID A FORD DEALER TO REPLACE THE TANK NOT KNOWING THERE WAS A RECALL. THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY WAS IMPORTANT ENOUGH THAT I PAID THIS MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET. NOW FORD IS TELLING ME THAT MY VIN DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. SO I AM NOT EVEN ELIGIBLE FOR A REIMBURSEMENT. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU CARING FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL DRIVERS. *NM THE ASSIGNED IDENTIFICATION NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V-190000 FORD RECALL NO. 98M03. *TT THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CRACKED GAS TANK. FORD WILL NOT REFUND THE MONEY AND WILL NOT HELP. *SC
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKING SYSTEM -- MASTER CYLINDER
THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURES DESCRIBED IN THE MASTER CYLINDER PISTONS RECALL 89V223000. IN ADDITION, THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. ALSO, THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL 96V071000 BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
1990 FORD AEROSTAR. CONSUMER STATES SUDDEN ACCELERATION NEARLY 20 YEARS AGO, THAT CAUSED OVER $1,000 IN DAMAGE. TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. *JB
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INDICATED THAT THE INCIDENT WAS INCONCLUSIVE. THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION RECALL 91V189000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *SC *JB
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEAT SHIELD BOLTS BROKE, HAVING PROBLEMS FIND TO REPAIR. *AK
MUFFLER FAILED.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DOOR LATCH ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAS BROKEN, CAUSING DOOR TO FLY OPEN WHILE DRIVING.*AK
DOOR LATCH ON THE SLIDING DOOR WAS NOT FUNCTIONING, AND DOOR WON'T SHUT. DEALER INDICATED THAT BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, AND THERE WAS NO RECALL. *AK
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH TO 40 MPH THE STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT ON FIRE. APPLIED THE BRAKES TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE UP, CONSUMER HAD TO TRY TEN TIMES, AND NO DASH LIGHT CAME ON UNTIL HE TURNED IT MANY OF TIMES. *AK
POWER STEERING PUMP AND RACK AND PINION SYSTEM IS CONTAMINATED WITH WATER, CAUSING THEM TO FAIL.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
LEAK WITHOUT APPARENT PUNCTURE. "PLUG" REPAIRED 2X. "TEAR" CONTINUES TO RUN. *AK( DOT NUMBER: HYHB4FA468 TIRE SIZE: P215/75R14 )
EXHAUST TAIL PIPES AND MUFFLER FAILED.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I JUST GOT MY TRANSMISSION FIXED BUT THE PROBLEM WAS I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE FORD AEROSTAR HAS BEEN RECALLED... UNTIL NOW I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SOMETIMES NO SHIFTING, REVERSE ALWAYS HAVE A PROBLEM AND LATE SHIFTING (FORWARD).. I'M JUST WONDERING IF MY VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED? CAN FORD DEALER FIX MY VAN WITHOUT ANY COST?
HEAD GASKET FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LATCHING MECHANISM FAILS TO WORK PROPERLY. ALSO, WHENEVER THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED & DRIVER LEANS FORWARD A BIT, THE BELT BUCKLE WOULD BECOME UNLATCHED, BY ITSELF. DRIVER HAS BUCKLE PART BY BENEDIX. HAVE BEEN TO DEALER. *AK
SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH OR STAY LATCHED. SOMETIME COMES UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. DIDN'T SEEM TO BE INTERESTED IN PROBLEM. TRANSFERED ME TO PARTS. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM WHICH NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKING SYSTEM -- MASTER CYLINDER
SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. ON 6/1698 THE VAN WAS SERVICED FOR THIS PROBLEM BY A DEALERSHIP. VAN WILL BE TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP AGAIN FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK
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
WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT FRONT AND LEFT REAR TIRES BLEWOUT, THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, FUT TUR SE, P215/70R14, DOT NUMBER VDHYNMA396. *SLC
LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID AND STRIKE THE GUARDRAIL.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. A/C "O" RINGS LEAKED FREON/FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED ALL AROUND PRIOR TO RECALL 98EO10000)/TRANSMISSION CONTINUOUSLY HUMMING, (MR-91S41)/FUEL STRONGLY SMELLS INSIDE OF VEHICLE, AND ABS LIGHT STAYS ON. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND AWARE OF SOME PROBLEMS, INDICATED VIN# DOES NOT COMPLY TO THE RECALLS. PROBLEMS STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
A/C CHANGED FROM NORMAL TO MAX, EXPLOSION SOUND. FLAMES OUT OF CENTER AIR VENT, RADIO UNIT, AND FROM UNDER VAN.
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
WHILE TRAVELING STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE AND PULL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON CA HWY, EITHER WAS BUMPED OR HIT SOMETHING IN ROAD, WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER, VEHICLE LANDED UPRIGHT IN GRASS BESIDE HWY*AK
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
REPLACED ENGINE BELTS.
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 .