RoadVitals

1996 Ford Aerostar Steering Problems

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

Data refreshed

Steering 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.
9
Latest Feb 11, 2001
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.
9%
of 104 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.
0
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 steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Ford Aerostar submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 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 steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Steering
Filed Feb 11, 2001

THE METAL PORTION OF POWER STEERING FLUID RETURN HOSE AND ONE OF THE METAL LINES TO THE POWER STEERING GEAR BOX/ACTUATOR ARE MOUNTED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THEY RUB TOGETHER AND OVER TIME RUB AWAY AT THE METAL AND DEVELOP LEAKS THAT CAUSE THE POWER STEERING FLUID TO LEAK OUT CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING. THE ONLY INDICATION OF THIS FAILURE IS WHINING COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.*AK

NHTSA ID
740741
Incident
Feb 1, 2001
Steering
Filed Aug 24, 1999

WHILE BACKING VEHICLE OUT OF PARKING LOT, STEERING WHEEL BROKE IN DRIVER'S HANDS & FELL INTO DRIVER'S LAP. HAD NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE. TURNED VEHICLE OFF & TOWED TO DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
845709
Incident
Jul 12, 1999
Steering
Filed Jul 16, 1999

WHILE DRVING VAN AT ANY SPEED A GRINDING NOISE COMES FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. WHEN THE VAN WAS CHECKED BY A MECHANIC THE BEARING WAS GONE FROM THE SPINDLE. PLEASE LIST VIN, MILEAGE AND DATES FOR OTHER VANS. *AK

NHTSA ID
842489
Incident
Feb 18, 1999
Steering
Filed Jun 4, 1998

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TURNING THE HAZARD LIGHT'S ON THE STEERING COLUMN STARTING SMOKING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA ID
824082
Incident
Jun 4, 1998
Steering
Filed Oct 27, 1997

POWER STEERING LEAKING AT TIME OF DELIVERY.

NHTSA ID
604440
Incident
Jul 1, 1996
Steering
Filed Aug 29, 1997

THE SPINDLE SNAPPED, CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO FLY OFF WHILE DRIVING 65MPH. CHAMPION FORD COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR GIVE A REASON WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN. *AK

NHTSA ID
815835
Incident
Aug 14, 1997
BrakesInterior & seatsSteering+1 more
Filed Aug 28, 1997

SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
603777
BrakesSteering
Filed Aug 20, 1997

DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN FELT A PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT SPINDL/ BRAKE CALIPER ANDBRAKE LINE BROKE. LOST CONTROL OF STEERING & THE BRAKES. TOOK TO THE DEALER. LOOKING AT VEHICLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK

NHTSA ID
815981
Incident
Jul 28, 1997
Steering
Filed Feb 12, 1997

POWER STEERING LEAK.

NHTSA ID
602799
Incident
Feb 12, 1997

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

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Other / unspecified24Brakes18Electrical12Interior & seats10

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .