RoadVitals

1994 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.
65
Latest Aug 12, 2013
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.
25%
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.
17
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

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 1994 Ford Aerostar submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 65 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 65, in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Aug 12, 2013
Fire reported

VAN HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS OR SO, AROUND THE LOCAL CITY COMMUNITIES. VAN HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES, WHEN NEIGHBORS NOTIFIED ME OF FIRE. INTENSE FIRE WAS COMING FROM DRIVER'S SIDE/WINDSHIELD/IGNITION/FRONT SEAT AREA, EVENTUALLY CONSUMING ENTIRE INTERIOR OF VAN. NORFOLK FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES, OR SO, STATION ONLY ABOUT 150 YARDS FROM MY RESIDENCE. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OR SO, BUT THE VAN WAS COMPLETELY CONSUMED BY FIRE AND TOTALLY DESTROYED BY THEN. VAN WAS JUNKED/SALVAGED. PAID ONLY $100.00 FOR SALVAGE/JUNK/TOWING, ETC. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH MY VAN. VAN ONLY HAD 93000 MILES. HAD PURCHASED NEW FROM FREEDOMS FORD IN NORFOLK, VA. INFORMED BY ASSOCIATE THAT I SHOULD REPORT THIS "FIRE HAZARD/PROBLEM," BECAUSE OTHER 1994 FORD AEROSTAR VANS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR "FIRE PROBLEMS/INCIDENTS/REPORTS," AND THE LIKE. PLEASE INFORM ME OF WHAT ACTIONS I NEED TO TAKE TO RECOUP SOME MONETARY VALUE FOR THIS "FIRE INCIDENT," ETC. MY VEHICLE PAPERWORK WAS BURNED/DESTROYED IN THE FIRE. HOWEVER, THE NORFOLK FIRE DEPARTMENT DID MAKE AN "OFFICIAL FIRE REPORT/RECORD" OF THE INCIDENT, ETC. ALSO, MINOR DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE ALUMINUM SIDING OF MY HOUSE FROM THE VEHICLE FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10534938
Incident
Jul 20, 2013
Mileage
93,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 13, 2012

HAD THE CLOCK RING REPAIRED (YEAR 2000)DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON. NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON ,THERE IS NO HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESNT WORK. THERE HAS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10461633
Incident
May 9, 2001
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 8, 2009

WE WERE BEGINNING TO EXPERIENCE LOSS OF POWER. THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER WAS CHANGED. WE ARE STILL GETTING INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER, BUT WHAT MY CONCERN IS THAT I SAW A RECALL ON NHTSA: 99V028000. I WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS RECALL WHEN I VIEWED AN EPISODE OF COPS WHERE AN AEROSTAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I CALLED FORD IN TEMECULA CALIF AND NOW THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF ANY RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR OF AEROSTAR 1994 I DO HAVE KIDS AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT SAFETY MATTERS REMAIN ON THIS VAN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10276149
Incident
Jun 1, 2008
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
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+5 more
Filed Feb 12, 2008

FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, HAD TO REPLACED WITH READING SPRING WORKS, THEY HAD TO SEND THE SPECKS TO CHICAGO. MY FORD AERO STAR 4 WHEEL DRIVE & 4.0 V6 IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM AFTER MARKET. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO BUY NEW OR USED FORD SPRINGS WHICH ARE MADE IN CHINA. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ADMITS REPLACING COIL & LEAF SPRINGS ON SEVERAL MODELS. MIDAS WAS SO BUSY REPLACING FORD SPRINGS, THEY COULD NOT SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO INSTALL SPRINGS EVEN IF I HAD THE SPRINGS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10217895
Incident
Jun 20, 2006
Mileage
120,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 6, 2008
Fire reported

CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, UNTOUCHED, FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS. FIRE ERUPTED ABOUT 7:00 AM. FLAMES WERE COMING THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD. SEEMED TO BE ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. CAR IS COMPLETELY ORIGINAL (NO ELECTRIC ALTERATIONS). CAR HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER WITHIN THE LAST 2 YEARS SO ANY RECALL WORK SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10217101
Incident
Jan 26, 2008
Mileage
110,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 1, 2006
Fire reported

DT: THE CONTACT STATED 1994, FORD VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE FREEWAY ON 8-8-05. SHE WAS NOT HAVING PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE SEEMED TO BE ELECTRICAL AND ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD. *AK *JB UPDATED 2/7/2006 - THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 97V204000 ON NOV 13, 1997 FOR THE TRANSFER CASE/DRIVESHAFT BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. THIS FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM NHTSA ON TWO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. ONE WAS 99V028000 FOR THE ELECTRICAL WIRING UNDER THE HOOD AND THE OTHER ONE WAS 99V029000 FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. *NM

NHTSA ID
10132510
Incident
Aug 8, 2005
Mileage
100,000 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
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
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Feb 24, 2003

THE WIRING HARNESS IN MY STEERING COLUME IS DEFECTIVE. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME IN 6 YRS THAT THIS HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE HARNESS CONTROLLS THE AIRBAGE, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROLL. ALSO THE IGITION SWITCH IS FAULTY, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING

NHTSA ID
10008035
Incident
Feb 24, 2003
Electrical
Filed May 20, 2002

WHEN PRESSING CIGARETTE LIGHTER IN, ONCE IT GETS HOT, IT POPPED OUT ONTO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER FELT THAT IF THIS HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC DRIVER WOULD HAVE TO TAKE EYES OFF THE ROAD TO FIND LIGHTER IN ODER TO PREVENT A VEHICLE FIRE. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
8010099
Incident
May 19, 2002
Electrical
Filed Mar 22, 2002

CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, THEN HEARD A POP WITH A CLOUD. CONSUMER HAD NO LIGHTS, AND STATED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN AND FILLED THE CAR. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED A GROUND WIRE BURNED, AND CAUSED THE SMOKE.*AK *YH

NHTSA ID
8006247
Incident
Mar 16, 2002
Electrical
Filed Mar 21, 2002
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE JUST WENT UP IN FLAMES. *AK

NHTSA ID
759619
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
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
Electrical
Filed Jun 27, 2001
Fire reported

VHEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE NEAR CENTER OF MOTOR BEHIND WHERE YOU PUT IN THE OIL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR RECALL ON THE ACCESSORY POWER CIRCUIT. I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL ABOUT THE SWITCH RECALL. THE 94-95 MODELS WHERE ALSO RECALLED DUE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OUT AT FUEL PUMP RESULTING IN POWER LOSS AND FIRE. I BELIVE THIS TO BE WHAT HAPPENED TO MY VAN.I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL, NIETHER WAS I INFORMED OF IT WHAN I TOOK THE VAN IN FOR THE OTHER RECALL ON THE SWITCH. CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT TO DO FROM HERE? SHOULD I GO TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER? *AK

NHTSA ID
747478
Incident
Jun 20, 2001
Electrical
Filed Apr 18, 2001

VEHICLE IS STALLING AT ANY SPEED, AND ANY TIME. DEALER STATED IGNITION MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
886189
Incident
Mar 10, 2001
Body & structureBrakesHeating & air conditioning+7 more
Filed Jan 9, 2001

THE STARTER, DISTRIBUTOR, AND IGNITION WIRING WERE ALL REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ID
558844
Electrical
Filed Nov 20, 2000

WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 60 MPH ENGINE QUIT 100%. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A NEAR BY MECHANIC. THEY SAID IT WAS A SHORT JUST BEFORE IGNITION SWITCH, THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD WIRING HARNESS THAT PRODUCED TOO MUCH HEAT WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF POWER TO THE ENGINE. *AK

NHTSA ID
875249
Incident
Nov 11, 2000
Electrical
Filed Oct 12, 2000

SMELLED WIRES BURNING AFTER THAT HORN WILL NOT WORK CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK

NHTSA ID
734168
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Aug 28, 2000

AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES 32 AND HORN QUIT WORKING

NHTSA ID
729311
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Electrical
Filed May 22, 2000

UPON STARTING VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER REPLACED THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS. ALSO, WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN THE OFF POSITION, IT CONTINUED TO RUN, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DIE OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
862287
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
Electrical
Filed Jan 3, 2000

VAN IS AT THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM. WHEN CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER, HE CALLED THE DEALER. DEALER SAID BECAUSE THE VAN WAS A HANDICAP USED VAN THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE MORE MONEY. *AK *YC

NHTSA ID
853653
Incident
Dec 3, 1998
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 1, 1999

AIR BAG LIGHT BLINKING ON AND OFF. *ET

NHTSA ID
784262
Incident
Jan 3, 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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .