RoadVitals

1994 Ford Aerostar Airbags Problems

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

Data refreshed

Airbags 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.
44
Latest Oct 25, 2017
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.
17%
of 257 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.
16
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
11

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1994 Ford Aerostar submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 44 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 airbag

The 25 most recent of 44, in the owner's own words

AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Oct 25, 2017

AIRBAG (CODE 13 AND 51) LIGHTS FLASHING

NHTSA ID
11039844
Incident
Sep 10, 2017
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 5, 2008

ALL ELECTRONICS ON STEERING COLUMN DON'T WORK. AIR BAG SYSTEM FLASHES 3-2. NO AIRBAG (PRESUMABLY), CRUISE CONTROL OR HORN FUNCTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10233257
Incident
Oct 18, 2007
Mileage
120,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Oct 21, 2005

DT: CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE HORN WILL NOT WORK. THE PROBLEM STARTED WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THE AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK AS LONG AS THE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WAS ON. ALSO, THE DEALER TOLD HIM HE HAD A BROKEN WIRE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. HE HAS NOT HAD IT REPAIRED YET. THE AIR BAG PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THEREFORE, E THE MANUFACTURER WILL OFFER NO FREE REMEDY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10140413
Incident
Oct 21, 2004
Mileage
125,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 10, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHILE GOING THROUGH AN INNER SECTION BETWEEN 25-30 MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES FROM THE SEAT BELT. MANUFACTURER WANTED TO SEND A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10087578
Incident
Jun 30, 2004
Mileage
137,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 10, 2004

THREE DAYS AFTER I HAVE THE VANS WIREING DONE BECAUSE OF A RECALL, MY HORN STOPPED WORKING AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND MY BRAKE LIGHTS STARTED STAYING ON. I CALLED JIM WILSON FORD WHO DID THE REPAIRS I WAS TOLD BY THE HEAD MAN AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS NOT THERE FALT AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. EVERYTHING WORKED FINE UNTIL THEY DID THE RECALL WORK.*AK

NHTSA ID
10061851
Incident
Mar 10, 1999
Airbags
Filed Sep 12, 2003
Crash reported

THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB THE CONSUMER SLID ON A PATCH OF ICE AND HIT A TREE IN CENTER OF THE BUMPER. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10008823
Incident
Feb 15, 2003
Airbags
Filed Jun 25, 2003
Crash reported1 injury reported

CONSUMER STATES THAT A FRONT COLLISION OCCURRED AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON HER FACE. SINCE THEM SHE HAD A RESPIRATORY PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10024907
Incident
Dec 15, 2000
Mileage
90,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 25, 2003
Crash reported

DATE IS APPROXIMATE. 1994 FORD AEROSTAR REAR ENDED AT STOP LIGHT HARD ENOUGH TO BREAK 7X19 CABLE HOLDING SPARE TIRE, AND SEND VEHICLE INTO CAR IN FRONT OF IT WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO BREAK RADIATOR AND AC RADIATOR. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. APPROXIMATLY 3 MONTHS AFTER BACK FROM REPAIRS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING OCCASIONLY. THIS CONTINUED GETTING WORSE UNTIL IT BLINKED CONSTANTLY, ALSO THE HORN WAS INTERMITTENTALY OPERATIONAL. I CHECKED YOUR "SEARCH COMPLAINTS" SECTION AND SEE SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM EVEN WITHOUT THE ACCIDENT. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING AS SEVERAL PEOPLE STATE IN THE COMPLAINTS SECTION. IN FACT THIS MUST BE COMMON DUE TO WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THAT DID THE ORIGINAL REPAIRS THEY DIDN'T EVEN LISTEN TO ALL THE INFORMATION ON THE PROBLEM AND SAID "IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CLOCK SPRING AND TAKES ABOUT 2 HOURS TO REPAIR." THEN QUOTED A PRICE, ONLY MISSING THE PRICE QUOTE BY THE AMOUNT OF TAX ADDED TO THE BILL! PLEASE RESEARCH THIS, IF NOTHING ELSE LOOK AT YOUR OWN SYSTEM UNDER AIRBAGS, HORN, AND SPEED CONTROLS! DOESN'T TAKE A BEAN COUNTER TO SEE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS "SAFETY" SYSTEM!!!!!!!*JB

NHTSA ID
10008076
Incident
Jan 16, 2000
Mileage
72,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Feb 15, 2002
1 injury reported

WHILE THE LIFT GATE WAS IN THE UP POSITION, ONE STUD SNAPPED OFF AT THE FRAME, DROPPING THE LIFT GATE ON THE BACK OF CONSUMER'S HEAD AND SHOULDERS. *TT

NHTSA ID
564596
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 27, 2001

AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL ILLUMINATE ERRATICALLY, THEN GO OFF WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED. ALSO, HAS EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE TO DETERMINE A CAUSE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
899547
Incident
Mar 1, 2000
Airbags
Filed Nov 27, 2001

AFTER FORD RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF WIRING IN STEERING COLUMN, THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING IN A 3/2 PATTERN. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN BOTH CEASED FUNCTION. INDICATES A CLOCKSPRING FAILURE MEANING THAT THE AIRBAG, CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN ARE INOPERATIVE. ALSO, THE REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORTS ARE FIXED TO THE FRAME WITH SMALL STUDS. WITH THE LIFTGATE OPEN, ONE OF THESE STUDS BROKE SENDING THE LIFTGATE CRASHING ONTO OWNER'S HEAD AND NECK.

NHTSA ID
754991
Incident
Jul 1, 2001
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Sep 17, 2001

AIRBAGS DEACTIVATED. ALSO, VEHICLE HAD NO HORN. AIRBAG LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND OFF.CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED CLOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK

NHTSA ID
896389
Incident
Sep 1, 2001
Airbags
Filed May 1, 2001

THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT THAT I AM AWARE OF AND OVER A YEAR AGO WHILE DRIVING MY AIR BAG LIGHT POPED ON. WHEN I GOT HOME I CALLED OUR LOCAL FORD GARAGE & THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE AIR BAG NO LONGER WAS WORKING. I FEEL IF YOU BUY THE VEHICLE WITH THE AIR BAG YOU EXSPECT IT TO BE THERE IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. WHAT IS THE POINT IN HAVING ONE IF IT CANNOT LIVE UP TO THE LIFE OF YOUR VEHICLE. THE PART IS ONLY 150.00 BUT I REFUSE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING TO BE FIXED IF IT WAS NEVER DEPLOYED IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE A SAFTY FEATURE BUT IT IS NOT VERY SAFE IF IT NO LONGER WORKS. *AK

NHTSA ID
744794
Incident
Oct 10, 1999
Airbags
Filed Apr 2, 2001
Crash reported

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT45MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

NHTSA ID
884817
Incident
Mar 30, 2001
AirbagsFuel system
Filed Nov 21, 2000

AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES, THER IS A PATTERN, IT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

NHTSA ID
875363
Incident
Apr 1, 1999
Airbags
Filed Oct 17, 2000

WE HAVE JUST MOVED TO ROSWELL, GA FROM WINDER GA. WE KNOW OF OVER 15 PEOPLE WHO HAVE OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 1994 AEROSTARS CLOCK SPRING IN THE AIR BAG NOT WORKING. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD THAY SAID IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM, MOST PEOPLE HAVE IT REPARIED OR JUST LET IT GO AS I HAVE. IT'S HARD TO COME UP WITH 300 TO 500 DOLLARS ON SOMETHING THAT IS A REPEATED PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR US ALL. I NOW HAVE A 2 MONTH OLD GRANDAUGHTER AND FEEL UNSAFE KNOWING THAT THE AIRBAG MAY GO OFF AT ANYTIME OR WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I SHOULD EVER NEED IT. PLEASE LOOK AT ALL REPAIRS ON THIS AND I AM SURE THAT FORD WILL NOT HAVE A COMPLANT LIST... SEEM TO BE PAR FOR THE COURSE. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *AK

NHTSA ID
734571
Incident
Jun 1, 1996
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Aug 28, 2000

AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES 32 AND HORN QUIT WORKING

NHTSA ID
729311
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Airbags
Filed Jul 24, 2000

AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. PROBLEM OCCURRED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SENSOR. *AK THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER RECALL ON IGNITION PROBLEM WAS FIXED. AIR BAG STARTED BLINKING ON AND OFF. *YH

NHTSA ID
865885
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jun 14, 2000
Crash reported1 death reported

EMPLOYEE FATALLY INJURED IN CRASH 06/05/00. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AIR BAG SENSOR APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN MARCH 2000, AFTER COMING ON AND BLINKING. COLLISION WAS WITH A FIXED OBJECT AT APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH, ON LEFT FRONT CORNER OF VEHICLE. HAVE THERE BEEN SIMILAR FAILURES REPORTED?*AK FROM THE ACCIDENT REPORT IT APPEARED THAT THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS RAINING. THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD, ROTATED COUNTERCLOCKWISE AND LANDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEXT TO A UTILITY POLE IN HEAVY BRUSH. THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AT THE POINT OF IMPACT WITH THE CULVERT. UPON INVESTIGATION AT THE SCENE A TROOPER NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS UNBUCKLED AND THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. IT WAS DEEMED THAT THE DRIVER WAS NOT SPEEDING BUT WAS MOST LIKELY DRIVING TOO FAST FOR THE ROAD CONDITIONS. *NLM

NHTSA ID
724005
Incident
Jun 5, 2000
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 17, 2000

HORN ASSEMBLY/AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT, AND CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT AT SAME TIME. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
862034
Airbags
Filed Apr 5, 2000
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED A STRONG ODOR COMING FROM THE AIRBAG, CONSUMER STARTED SNEEZING. THEN THE SNEEZING GOT WORSE, AND CONSUMER BLACKED OUT, RESULTING IN A CRASH. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS LIKELY THAT THE BAG WAS LEAKING. *AK

NHTSA ID
859728
Incident
Feb 5, 2000
Airbags
Filed Mar 3, 2000

THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS FLASHING. THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A BROKEN CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. CLOCK SPRING HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE OF CHARGE TO OWNER. ALSO, TIRES NEED REPLACING, BUT WARRANTY NOT IN EFFECT UNTIL TIRES ACTUALLY GO BAD. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
857902
Incident
Feb 24, 2000
Airbags
Filed Dec 21, 1999

THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES CONTINOUSLY ALTHOUGH THE AIR BAG DOES NOT DEPLOY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL ALSO FLASH INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
716294
Incident
Nov 5, 1999
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 1, 1999

AIR BAG LIGHT BLINKING ON AND OFF. *ET

NHTSA ID
784262
Incident
Jan 3, 1999
Airbags
Filed Sep 20, 1999

AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT, AND HORN MALFUNCTION, HAPPENED AT SAME TIME. DEALER TOLD ME THAT A COMMON CIRCUIT WAS MORE THAN LIKELY THE PROBLEM. TOLD ME THAT AIR BAG, AND HORN WOULD NOT WORK UNTIL STEERING COLUMN REMOVED, AND CIRCUIT FIXED. CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITH HORN NOT WORKING. FEEL UNSAFE WITH AIR BAG NOT WORKING. TOLD THAT AIR BAG WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 50,000 MILES. WHEN DEALER ASKED FOR POSSIBLE "GOOD WILL" REPAIR, TOLD NO! FEEL THAT ONLY WAY TO GET ANYWHERE IS THROUGH NHTSA, SINCE BOTH PROBLEMS ARE SAFETY RELATED. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
711638
Incident
Sep 13, 1999

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .