IllustrationTRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT 3 YEARS AGO AT FORD DEALER, THEN, IN OCT 2000 WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN. *AK
1986 Ford Aerostar
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1986 Ford Aerostar do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 135.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Aerostar years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 53 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports21 fire reports1 injury reports
Power Train complaints
7 reportsWHEN APPLYING GAS THERE IS NO POWER, AS IF VEHICLE IS IN NEUTRAL. DEALER SAYS THE VEHICLE HAS THE WRONG TRANSMISSION IN IT. *AK
TRANSMISION HAS FAILED ON FIVE OCCASIONS.
TRANSMISSION NOT WORKING PROPERLY.
TRANSMISSION FAILED 4 TIMES.
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *DH
TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN ALL GEARS. TT
Official recalls
790V021000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Feb 8, 1990
INSUFFICIENT INTERFERENCE FIT BETWEEN FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND GROMMET COULD RESULT IN AN INADEQUATE SEAL WHICH COULD ALLOW FUEL TO SEEP FROM THE JOINT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL A REVISED DESIGN GROMMET.
89V226000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
Dec 18, 1989
VANS WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT PLASTIC COVER DESIGNED TO COVER OUTBOARD SEAT BACK PIVOT HINGE ALLOWING WEBBING OF FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE SAFETY BELTS TO BECOME ABRADED OR CUT DUE TO CONTACT WITH EXPOSED HINGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DAMAGE TO BELT WEBBING COULD WEAKEN BELTS TO POINT OFFAILURE INCREASING RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT OR A SUDDEN STOP.
Remedy: INSTALL PLASTIC PIVOT COVER; REPLACE BELTS AS NECESSARY.
88V145000 · Seats
Sep 2, 1988
WIRING FOR THE POWER LUMBAR SEAT SYSTEM WAS ROUTED DIRECTLY BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION SPRINGS AND MAY BE ABRADED BY THE SPRINGS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH MAY CREATESUFFICIENT HEAT TO START A FIRE IN THE SEAT CUSHION PAD AND/OR TRIM COVER.
Remedy: INSTALL A FUSE WITHIN THE POWER LUMBAR ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.
88V091000 · Electrical System:wiring
Jun 6, 1988
VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TRAILER TOW PACKAGE HAVE A TRAILER TAILLIGHT RELAY ASSEMBLY THAT CONTAINS WIRES OF SMALLER GAUGE THAN THE FUSE LINK WHICH PROTECTS THE CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD A SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THE WIRING WITHIN THERELAY OR IF WATER INTRUSION OCCURS THE SMALLER GAUGE WIRE IN THE RELAY WILLFUNCTION AS A FUSE LINK AND OVERHEAT. THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR A FIRE IF THEWIRES ARE EXPOSED TO COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS.
Remedy: INSTALLATION OF A RELAY WITH WIRES OF GAUGE ADEQUATE TO PROTECT THE CIRCUIT.
87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Sep 4, 1987
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
86V123000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Sep 2, 1986
FUEL TANKS MAY HAVE BEEN SCORED OR PENETRATED WHEN FLOOR PAN MOUNTING HOLES FOR THE PARTITIONS WERE DRILLED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE WOULD EXIST.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL TANKS AS NECESSARY.
86V006000 · Suspension:rear:springs:leaf Spring Assembly
Jan 22, 1986
THERE MAY BE INADEQUATE WELDING IN SOME UNDERBODY STRUCTURAL AREAS, INCLUDING THOSE AT THE REAR SUSPENSION ATTACHMENTS, WHICH MAY CAUSE IT TO SEPARATE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF REAR SUSPENSION ATTACHMENTS SHOULD SEPARATE FROM THE UNDERBODY DURING VEHICLE USE, THE AXLE COULD SHIFT DURING ACCELERATION OR BRAKING AND MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE STEERING CONTROL WHICH MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: REINFORCE SUSPECT WELD LOCATIONS AND MODIFY TO PREVENT WELD FAILURE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
17PE91127 · Park Pawl Bending
Opened Sep 16, 1991 · Closed Nov 8, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission
There is no summary currently available
Power Train:automatic Transmission
There is no summary currently available
EA91015 · Liftgate Failure
Opened Feb 1, 1991 · Closed Sep 20, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE91005 · Liftgate Failure
Opened Oct 18, 1990 · Closed Feb 1, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
EA90042 · Throttle Sticking
Opened Aug 31, 1990 · Closed Dec 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA89032 · Safety Belt Fraying
Opened Aug 3, 1989 · Closed Apr 5, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
SUMMARY:COMPLAINTS OF CUTTING AND FRAYING OF SEAT BELT ON SHARP METALEDGE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.EDGE IS UNPROTECTED ON 86'S COVEREDON LATER MODELS.ALL COMPLAINTS ON 86'S AND 87'S (1 COMPLAINT ON 87MODEL).UPGRADE ON 1986 AND 1987 MODELS.===
EA89021 · Windshield Wiper Motor
Opened Mar 23, 1989 · Closed May 4, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
===
PE89092 · Power Steering Locking
Opened Feb 23, 1989 · Closed Jul 20, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
SUMMARY:THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT POWER STEERING WAS STIFF ORSTEERING LOCKED.FORD HAS ISSUED TWO SERVICE BULLETINS:ONE ON LEAKINGSEALS AND ONE ON COMPLAINTS OF STIFF STEERING.===
PE89021 · Seat Belt Cutting
Opened Dec 9, 1988 · Closed Aug 3, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
PE89010 · Windshield Wiper Motor
Opened Nov 1, 1988 · Closed Mar 23, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
There is no summary currently available
EA88041 · Filler Pipe Seal
Opened Sep 15, 1988 · Closed May 11, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
===
EA88033 · Under Seat Fires
Opened May 11, 1988 · Closed Jan 23, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
PE88048 · Fuel Leakage
Opened Apr 19, 1988 · Closed Sep 15, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
BRIEFING: I. WHAT IS THE DEFECT? II. SOURCE/ORIGIN OF THE DEFECT?III. DATA ANALYSIS. IV. FORD'S POSITION.V. DESIGN CHANGES? VI. RECOMMENDATIONS.===
EA88028 · Door Falls Off
Opened Mar 23, 1988 · Closed Jul 31, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
EA88027 · Rear Brake Lockup
Opened Mar 4, 1988 · Closed Sep 15, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE88026 · Crnkshft Pulley Bolt Failr
Opened Feb 9, 1988 · Closed Apr 27, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE87052 · Rear Brake Lockup
Opened Sep 9, 1987 · Closed Mar 4, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ANALYSIS:THE SIX REPORTS ALLEGE THAT WHILE ENGAGING IN NORMAL DRIVING ONDRY PAVEMENT, BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF DIRECTIONALSTABILITY AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.FOUR INJURY ACCIDENTS HAVE RESULTED,WITH THREE OCCURRENCES OF VEHICLE ROLL-OVER.THERE HAVE BEEN NO TSB'S ORRECALLS ISSUED WITH RESPECT TO THIS CONDITION.PROPOSED ACTION:OPEN A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.===
EA87020 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened May 7, 1987 · Closed Sep 24, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
ANALYSIS:A REVIEW OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S RESPONSES TO ODI INFORMATIONREQUESTS ISSUED UNDER PRELIMINARY EVALUATIONS PE 87-012, PE 87-017, ANDPE 87-020, INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE AND/OR MALFUNCTION OF THE SPRING-LOCKFUEL LINE COUPLINGS APPEARED TO BE THE MAJOR SOURCE OR CAUSE OF ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.BASED UPON THIS, AN ENGINEERINGANALYSIS WAS INITIATED WHICH INCORPORATED ALL THREE OF THE ABOVE REFERENCEDPRELIMINARY EVALUATIONS.ADDITIONAL REPORTS WERE RECEIVED WHICH INDICATEDTHAT SPRING LOCK FUEL-LINE COUPLING SEPARATION HAD BEEN RESPONSIBLE FORENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN OTHER FORD VEHICLES.THE EA WAS THEN EXPANDEDON AUGUST 18TH TO INCLUDE ALL FORD VEHICLES WHICH USE OR DID USE SPRINGLOCK COUPLINGS IN THE FUEL DELIVERY AND/OR THE FUEL RETURN SYSTEM.STATUS:BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 1, 1987, FORD AGREED TO RECALL 3,600,0001986 THROUGH 1988 PASSENGER CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONICFUEL-INJECTION (EFI) AND CENTRAL FUEL-INJECTION (CFI) ENGINES THAT WEREPRODUCED WITH A SPECIFIC TYPEOF SPRING LOCK FUEL-LINE COUPLING.IF THESPRING LOCK FUEL-LINE COUPLING WERE IMPROPERLY ENGAGED OR DAMAGED DURINGASSEMBLY OR SERVICING, THEN FUEL PRESSURE, VIBRATION, OR ENGINE MOVEMENTCOULD RESULT IN FUEL LINE SEPARATION AND THE SUBSEQUENT RISK OF A VEHICLEFIRE.TO PREVENT THIS POTENTIAL SEPARATION, THE RECALLED VEHICLES WILLHAVE RETAINER CLIPS INSTALLED OVER THE SPRING LOCK COUPLINGS.THE RECALLNUMBER IS 87V-139.PROPOSED ACTION:BASED UPON THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF THE RECALL, EA 87-020SHOULD BE CLOSED AND THE RECALL'S EFFECTIVENESS MONITORED.===