1992 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 1992 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
- Transmission6215.6%
- Brakes6215.6%
- Electrical6115.4%
- Airbags317.8%
- Engine266.5%
- Tires & wheels194.8%
- Exterior lighting184.5%
- Steering143.5%
- Interior & seats143.5%
- Driver assistance123.0%
- Visibility123.0%
- Body & structure112.8%
- Fuel system102.5%
- Suspension82.0%
- Seat belts82.0%
- Powertrain (other)82.0%
- Other / unspecified71.8%
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
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE, IT FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY ONLY OPERATES IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION HAD GONE OUT PREVIOUSLY AND WAS REPLACED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC.
THE SHIFTING LEVER IN THE STEERING COLUMN MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO SHIFT. PART# 2F0DC-7215 53. *AK THIS WAS DUE TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE AND MAY BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION/SHIFT ACTUATING TUBE. *SCC *JB
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
OWNER WAS GOING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. OWNER SAYS THAT THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKE HOSE LINE POPPED RIGHT OFF. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL BRAKE PRESSURE PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM STOPPING. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL TRAVELED TO FLOORBOARD. CONSUMER NOTICED LOSS OF BRAKING POWER . VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME WHEN CONSUMER NOTICED THAT BRAKE HOSE WAS BROKEN.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT FLEXIBLE BRAKE HOSE HAS A HEAVY RUBBER BOOT COVERING THE UPPER SWAGGED FITTING, THIS BOOT ENTRAPS SALT AND WATER CAUSING THE FITTING TO CORRODE SEVERELY AND IS HIDDEN UNDER THE BOOT, CONSUMER REPLACED THE OPPOSITE LINE BECAUSE IT WAS RUSTED ON THE SAME FITTING. *SLC
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD AEROSTAR. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MUFFLER WAS RUSTED AND CRACKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE AND THE FUMES WOULD EXIT OUT OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FUMES WERE ENTERING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE HOLES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY SEALED THE HOLES AND THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE MIDAS MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DEALER NEVER SEALED THE HOLES ON THE MUFFLER AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED COMPLETELY. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE FUMES COULD IN FACT GET INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ALSO, THE HORN HAS NEVER WORKED ON THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED; THEREFORE, THE DEALER CONSTRUCTED THEIR OWN HORN TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THE REAR LIFTGATE FELL ON THE CONTACT'S HEAD SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD AEROSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GROUND WIRES ARE SHORTING OUT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND OTHER WIRES UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. HE ALSO STATED THAT HIS WINDOWS ARE NOT WORKING. FORD STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN BURNED BY THE FAILED WIRES. THE RECALL # WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 171,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND FLASHES BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE CLOCKSPRING THAT CAN AFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG PER LARRY PHILPUTT, TOM WOOD FORD, 3130 E. 96TH ST., INDIANAPOLIS, IN. *AK
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD, GIVING WARNING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH AIR BAG SYSTEM. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT MEANT THE AIR BAG WAS FAULTY, CONSUMER REPAIRED PROBLEM AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT.*AK *SLC
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD AEROSTAR. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MUFFLER WAS RUSTED AND CRACKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE AND THE FUMES WOULD EXIT OUT OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FUMES WERE ENTERING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE HOLES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY SEALED THE HOLES AND THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE MIDAS MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DEALER NEVER SEALED THE HOLES ON THE MUFFLER AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED COMPLETELY. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE FUMES COULD IN FACT GET INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ALSO, THE HORN HAS NEVER WORKED ON THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED; THEREFORE, THE DEALER CONSTRUCTED THEIR OWN HORN TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THE REAR LIFTGATE FELL ON THE CONTACT'S HEAD SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING EHICLE WILL SHUT OFF, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER, AND IT WILL BE HARD TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK STARTED.DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A TREAD SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING 60-65 MPH, WITH TWO ADULTS AND ONE CHILD IN A FORD AEROSTAR 1992 VAN. THE TIRE REMAINED INFLATED. AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT, INSTALLED AT 136,671 MILES, TIRE SIZE P215/70R14, DOT# DBHYC2423000. *AK *NM
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY HIS SPARE TIRE FELL OUT OF UNDER THE VEHICLE. *MR SPARE TIRE MOUNTING FELL WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH. THE MOUNTING BOLT WAS RUSTED. *LA
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL HEADLIGHT ADJUSTERS FRACTURED ON 07/04/06. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 07/05/06 WHO DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE TENSION SPRING THAT ASSISTS IN THE PROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE HEADLIGHT ADJUSTERS WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AS WELL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. UPDATED 8/1/2006 - *NM
THE HEAD LIGHTS FLICKERED AND THEN WENT OUT, THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE. ALSO, AIRBAG/CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE IS IN REPAIR SHOP. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING HIT HORN NOTHING HAPPENED, CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT OPERATE, AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DEALER CONTACTED, AND COULD NOT REMEDY PROBLEMS. ALSO, STEERING COLUMN GEAR SHAFT BROKE AND REPLACED IT WITH USED PARTS/ CLOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE. PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. *AK
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD AEROSTAR. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MUFFLER WAS RUSTED AND CRACKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE AND THE FUMES WOULD EXIT OUT OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FUMES WERE ENTERING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE HOLES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY SEALED THE HOLES AND THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE MIDAS MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DEALER NEVER SEALED THE HOLES ON THE MUFFLER AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED COMPLETELY. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE FUMES COULD IN FACT GET INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ALSO, THE HORN HAS NEVER WORKED ON THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED; THEREFORE, THE DEALER CONSTRUCTED THEIR OWN HORN TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THE REAR LIFTGATE FELL ON THE CONTACT'S HEAD SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
SEAT BACK BOLTS SHEARED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. BOUGHT USED. BUT, NO REPORTED OF PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS. WE HAD NOTICED SOME 'LOOSENESS' IN THE SEAT BACK. BUT, ATTRIBUTED IT TO WEAR IN THE LATCH POSITIONING DEVICE. WHEN THE LAST BOLT SHEARED THE SEAT BACK GAVE WAY DROPPING THE DRIVER TO A RECLINING POSITION. *AK
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED WHILE STARTING TO MOVE AND PUTTING VEHICLE INTO GEAR, VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE ANYWHERE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO CHECK PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE RECALL THE IGNITION HAD BEEN LOOSE FOR 2 YEARS, AIR CONDITION HAS FAILED AND STILL NOT WORKING AND ALSO THE REAR WHEELS AND THE TIRE WERE WORN UNEVENLY.*YD
BRAKES CORRODED DUE TO FREQUENT CONTAMINATION BY LEAKAGE FROM THE AIR-CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR COIL SYSTEM. FAILURE OF THE EVAPORATOR COIL SYSTEM RESULTED IN TWO VEHICLE COLLISON, WHEN BRAKES FAILED FROM CORROSION. *YC
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD AEROSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROLS SHUTS ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING. SEVERAL YEARS AGO, HE WITNESSED BILLOWS OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE SPEED AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 145,681.
SPEED CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD HAD A CHIP AND A CRACK INSIDE . ALSO, PASSENGER'S SEATBELT IN REAR WILL NOT HOLD WHEN CLICKING THEM TOGETHER. BELT WILL RETRACT. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING RUST AT WINDSHIELD PINCHWELD, RUST WAS CAUSED BY SCRATCHES CREATED DURING A PREVIOUS INSTALLATION. NLM
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD AEROSTAR. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MUFFLER WAS RUSTED AND CRACKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE AND THE FUMES WOULD EXIT OUT OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FUMES WERE ENTERING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE HOLES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY SEALED THE HOLES AND THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE MIDAS MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DEALER NEVER SEALED THE HOLES ON THE MUFFLER AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED COMPLETELY. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE FUMES COULD IN FACT GET INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ALSO, THE HORN HAS NEVER WORKED ON THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED; THEREFORE, THE DEALER CONSTRUCTED THEIR OWN HORN TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THE REAR LIFTGATE FELL ON THE CONTACT'S HEAD SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
CONSUMER WAS REMOVING ITEMS FROM THE REAR CARGO AREA AND LIFTGATE CAME SLAMMING DOWN ON CONSUMER'S HEAD. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID SHOCKS NEED TO BE REPLACED.*AK DUE TO INCIDENT, CERVICAL DISCS IN CONSUMER'S NECK WERE HERNIATED, BOTH DISCS HAD TO BE REPLACED, CONSUMER HAS PERMANENT AND LIMITED CAPACITY. *SLC
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING COULD SMELL BURNING, AND WHEN STOPPED TOOK VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER. DEALER FOUND OUT THAT FUEL PUMP HAD MELTED, AND CONNECTORS HAD BURNED AND SMOKED, JUST LIKE RECALL 99 V 028. *AK
THE VEHICLE'S FUEL LINE CRACKED, LETTING OUT GAS AND CAUSING FIRE. YH
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN CHANGING GEARS VEHICLE WILL SHAKE. WHEN TRAVELING AT 55 MPH THERE IS A BAD JERK IN VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH REAR SUSPENSION AIR SPRINGS BROKE, VEHICLE DROPPED IN REAR. *AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEATBELT DONT WORK. *TR
SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. *AK
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES INCURRED PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL. *PH RECALL IS IN REGARDS ON POWER TRAIN MODIFICATION. *LA
INDICATOR DISPLAY IN DASH LOOKS MELTED. AIRBAG INDICATOR FLASHING AND RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ARE DIFICULT TO SEE. ODOMETER JUMPED FROM 80K TO OVER 130K; THERE IS NO METRIC/ENGLISH SWITCH.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED WHILE STARTING TO MOVE AND PUTTING VEHICLE INTO GEAR, VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE ANYWHERE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO CHECK PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE RECALL THE IGNITION HAD BEEN LOOSE FOR 2 YEARS, AIR CONDITION HAS FAILED AND STILL NOT WORKING AND ALSO THE REAR WHEELS AND THE TIRE WERE WORN UNEVENLY.*YD
WHILE THE DRIVER WAS GOING AT 65 MPH, THE FRONT LEFT TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE FRONT BRAKE ASSEMBLY. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) YH
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 .