RoadVitals

1993 Ford Aerostar Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
90
Latest Sep 11, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
24%
of 374 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
24
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1993 Ford Aerostar submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 90 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.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 90, in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Sep 11, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD AEROSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.

NHTSA ID
10632568
Incident
Jul 4, 2011
Mileage
169,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 6, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD AEROSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND AND HE COULD FEEL A PULSATION IN THE DASHBOARD; THERE WERE ALSO ELECTRICAL SHORTAGES. HE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT RECALL 99V029000 AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HE ALSO CONSULTED THE MANUFACTURER AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,705. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,670. UPDATED 02/22/11

NHTSA ID
10298475
Incident
Nov 5, 2009
Mileage
144,670 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 23, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD AEROSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED WITH A HIGHER THAN SPECIFIED ELECTRICAL LOAD THROUGH THE ACCESSORY POWER FEED CIRCUIT. THE POTENTIAL FOR CONTACT BETWEEN THE B2 (BATTERY), A2 (ACCESSORY), AND P1 (PROOF) CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR; THEREFORE, CREATING A SHORT CIRCUIT AND ALLOWING CURRENT TO FLOW THROUGH THE GROUND WIRE. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, HE NOTICED THAT THE SWITCH MODULE MELTED AND THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL LIGHTING WAS INOPERATIVE. AS A RESULT, THE RISK OF A SEVERE FIRE INCREASED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V029000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID
10246511
Incident
Jul 16, 2006
Mileage
168,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 11, 2006
Fire reported

JUST GOT HOME AND WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. ABOUT 30 MIN LATER SOMEONE WAS KNOCKING ON ARE DOOR TELLING US THE VAN WAS ON FIRE. THERE WAS NO KEYS LEFT IN THE VAN. THE FIRE BURN THE DASH AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE AND THE HOOD. THE VAN IS NOW TOTAL. *NM

NHTSA ID
10173207
Incident
Nov 10, 2006
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical+1 more
Filed May 11, 2005

AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING CONSTANTLY, THEN HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. NOISE IN COLUMN SOUNDS LIKE LOOSE WIRES FLOPPING.

NHTSA ID
10120664
Incident
May 10, 2005
Mileage
189,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 2, 2005
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DO SO. WHILE OPENING THE HOOD, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB RECALL CAMPAIGN; NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 99V029000. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EDGE OF THE HOOD. AFTER HE OPENED THE HOOD HE SAW A SMALL FIRE AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE. *TC

NHTSA ID
10109761
Incident
Dec 31, 2004
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 6, 2004
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN IGNITION SWITCH ELECTRICAL SHORT 99V029000 RECALL. MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CONFLICTING INFORMATION. THEY TOLD CONSUMER BY PHONE THAT THE VIN NUMBER WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ,AND THEN SENT A LETTER INDICATING THAT THE VIN NUMBER WASN'T INCLUDED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10087331
Incident
Jun 27, 2004
Mileage
130,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 7, 2003

HEADLIGHTS START TO GO OFF AND ON AFTER 10 MINS OF DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS, DASH LIGHTS GO OUT TOO. FORD SAYS THE SWITCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, MY HUSBAND TOOK THE SWITCH OUT AND ITS GETS WAY TOO HOT AND CAUSES THE LIGHTS TO GO OFF. *JB

NHTSA ID
10041400
Incident
Oct 6, 2003
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 6, 2002
Fire reported

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAUSE UNKNOWN, COULD HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING SHORT. *AK *YH

NHTSA ID
8018075
Incident
Aug 27, 2002
Electrical
Filed Sep 6, 2002
Fire reported

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED AS A RESULT OF A ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
8018069
Incident
Aug 27, 2002
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical+1 more
Filed Aug 16, 2002

THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN STEERING COLUMN. WIRE RIBBON RING THAT'S INSIDE OF STEERING COLUMN, WHICH GIVES POWER TO AIR BAG/ CRUISE CONTROL, AND HORN HAS CRACKED AS A RESULT OF RIBBON BEING TOO SHORT AND FOLDED OVER, VEHICLE HAD NO HORN/NO CRUISE CONTROL OR AIR BAG.DEALER CONTACTED.*AK

NHTSA ID
8016547
Incident
Jun 16, 2002
Electrical
Filed Jan 2, 2002

LIGHT ASSEMBLY MELTS THROUGH. HAVE ONLY OWNED VAN 1 YEAR, AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IT THREE TIMES ALREADY. CAN SMELL BURNING PLASTIC, MAY BE SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD IN DASH.

NHTSA ID
756324
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Nov 4, 2001

WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING MECHANISM FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE PAST 14 MONTHS. THE CLOCK SPRING CONTROLS THE AIR BAG AS WELL AS THE CRUISE CONTROL AND OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FACT THE CLOCK SPRING CONTROLS THE AIR BAG IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY EITHER A BETTER CLOCK SPRING OR FREE REPLACEMENT BY THE MAUFACTURER. IT HAS COST ME OVER $200 TO HAVE THIS REPLACED THIS LAST TIME, OVER $400 THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE I ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH REPLACED AS WELL.*AK

NHTSA ID
754070
Incident
Sep 1, 2001
Electrical
Filed Apr 30, 2001

WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY, VEHICLE HAS STALLED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED VERY HARD STEERING AND BRAKES WITH NO POWER, VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND CONSUMER WAS ADVISED VEHICLE WAS FIXED, BUT IT WAS NOT FIXED AND VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN ON THE FREEWAY, VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT ALTERNATOR WAS CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING, EVEN THOUGH DEALERSHIP ADVISED CONSUMER IT WAS FIXED AND ALSO CHARGED HER OVER $1000.00 FOR PREVIOUS REPAIRS. *JB

NHTSA ID
560979
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Mar 21, 2001

CRUISE CONTROL/HORN HAVE FAILED, AND AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES. ON/OFF. ALL FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. *AK

NHTSA ID
883622
Incident
Mar 1, 2001
Electrical
Filed Feb 28, 2001

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A BURNING SMEEL COMING FROM UNDER DASH. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL FOR IGNITION , HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.*AK

NHTSA ID
881762
Incident
Feb 28, 2001
Electrical
Filed Nov 30, 2000

CONSUMER BELIEVES ALL THE VEHICLES ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (WARNING CHIME, DELAY WIPERS, SPEED CONTROL,BRAKE LIGHTS, ABS WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH) STEM FROM RECALLL 99V-029 CONCERNING HIGHER THAN SPECIFIED ELECTRICAL LOAD, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

NHTSA ID
558202
Incident
Jul 24, 2000
Electrical
Filed Nov 6, 2000

ENGINE CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY GIVEN TIME OR SPEED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER FIXED PROBLEM. BUT, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK

NHTSA ID
874489
BrakesHeating & air conditioningElectrical
Filed Sep 22, 2000

ADD: RIGHT REAR BRAKE DRUM CONTACTING BACK PLATE ON INNER LIP. BRAKE SHOE PAD CONTACTING INNER BRAKEDRUM RADIUS 10/95

NHTSA ID
732279
Body & structureBrakesHeating & air conditioning+4 more
Filed Sep 14, 2000

SUSPENSION FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA ID
554661
Electrical
Filed May 19, 2000
Fire reported

A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD DUE TO THE SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH TOTALLED THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED UNDER RECALL 99V029000. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
862184
Incident
Apr 26, 2000
Heating & air conditioningElectricalEngine+3 more
Filed May 9, 2000

I WIIL BE FAXING OVER THE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS 93 FORD AEROSTAR. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD STARTING PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE A/C FAILED. RELAY STARTER MOTOR FAILED. THE HEATER CORE FAILED. POWER STEERING WAS INOPERATIVE. TIE RODS ON BOTH TIRES FAILED. WATER PUMP FAILED. *YH

NHTSA ID
722457
Electrical
Filed Apr 14, 2000

RECALL 99V029/IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR VEHICLE UNDER RECALL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS; HOWEVER, THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE WORSENED. *AK

NHTSA ID
860344
Electrical
Filed Mar 14, 2000
Fire reported

ALTERNATOR PUTS OUT TOO MUCH JUICE THEN ITS NEEDS AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MILEAGE. ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. WOULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. POPPED HOOD & FOUND FLAMES JUMPING FROM ENGINE. VEHICLE THEN DIED OUT. VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC & WAS INFORMED THAT PROBLEM WOULD CAUSE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE.*AK

NHTSA ID
858534
Electrical
Filed Mar 13, 2000

AFTER RECALL REPAIR OF THE IGNITION SWITCH (99V-029) THE HORN NO LONGER FUNCTIONED, THE AIRBAG INDICATOR FLASHES AFTER THE IGNITION IS SWITCHED ON, ALARM SOUNDS WHEN THE IGNITION IS SWITCHED OFF AND THE CRUISE CONTROL IS INOPERATIVE. NLM

NHTSA ID
551317

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .