NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
177 reportsMileage unknown · Feb 2, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR OF THE FUEL TANK FOR LEAKAGE. THE FUEL TANK HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED AND DEALER STATED THAT FORD LEFT IT UP TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE IF IT NEEDED REPLACING. THE DEALER ONLY REPLACED THE PARTS AROUND THE FUEL TANK AND THE CONSUMER STILL SMELLS FUMES IN AND AROUND VEHICLE WHEN THE TANK I…
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CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR OF THE FUEL TANK FOR LEAKAGE. THE FUEL TANK HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED AND DEALER STATED THAT FORD LEFT IT UP TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE IF IT NEEDED REPLACING. THE DEALER ONLY REPLACED THE PARTS AROUND THE FUEL TANK AND THE CONSUMER STILL SMELLS FUMES IN AND AROUND VEHICLE WHEN THE TANK IS FILLED. NLM
NHTSA ODI #550668
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2000
Latches/locks/linkages
REAR LIFTGATE LATCH BROKE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN, CAUSING IT TO OPEN ACCIDENTLY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #855927
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE REPORTED THIS DANAGER TO THE NHTSA IN THE PASS HELP!
NHTSA ODI #715759
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON ROUGH PAVEMENTS AND GOING UP ON AN INCLINE FUEL LEAKS FROM THE TANK. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED UNDER A RECALL, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #852792
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VARIOUS PARTS: 1.) HEATER CORE FAILED TO PUT OUT PROPER HEAT IN REAR OF VEHICLE, AND AIR CAUSED THE REAR WINDOW TO FOG UP. 2.) ENGINE HAS AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM WITHIN SECONDS WHILE RUNNING BEFORE IT PICKS UP SPEED, AND 3.) WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO OPERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO CORRECT PROBLEM U…
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ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VARIOUS PARTS: 1.) HEATER CORE FAILED TO PUT OUT PROPER HEAT IN REAR OF VEHICLE, AND AIR CAUSED THE REAR WINDOW TO FOG UP. 2.) ENGINE HAS AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM WITHIN SECONDS WHILE RUNNING BEFORE IT PICKS UP SPEED, AND 3.) WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO OPERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO CORRECT PROBLEM UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #852043
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
THERE IS A LEAKAGE WITHIN THE GAS TANK. GAS IS LEAKING FROM THE CRACKS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #851701
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
RECALL 98V190000 FORD/FUEL TANK CRACKS; FUEL LEAKS FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE LAST MONTH. THE DEALER /MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT VAN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL BECAUSE OF THE STATE. VAN WAS ORIGINALLY REGISTERED IN THE …
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RECALL 98V190000 FORD/FUEL TANK CRACKS; FUEL LEAKS FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE LAST MONTH. THE DEALER /MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT VAN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL BECAUSE OF THE STATE. VAN WAS ORIGINALLY REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848487
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 1999
Seat Belts
THIS VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH SHOULDER BELTS IN THE REAR SEATS. I HAVE A THREE-YEAR-OLD SON THAT IS QUICKLY OUTGROWING HIS SAFETY SEAT. (A CENTURY MODEL THAT FITS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 2ND SEAT POSITION AND IS RESTRAINED BY A LAP BELT). I HAVE PURCHASED A HIGH BACK BOOSTER SEAT (AGAIN A CENTURY) THAT LIKE ALL OF THE HIGH BACK…
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THIS VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH SHOULDER BELTS IN THE REAR SEATS. I HAVE A THREE-YEAR-OLD SON THAT IS QUICKLY OUTGROWING HIS SAFETY SEAT. (A CENTURY MODEL THAT FITS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 2ND SEAT POSITION AND IS RESTRAINED BY A LAP BELT). I HAVE PURCHASED A HIGH BACK BOOSTER SEAT (AGAIN A CENTURY) THAT LIKE ALL OF THE HIGH BACKED BOOSTER SEATS I HAVE SEEN, REQUIRE THE USE OF A LAP AND SHOULDER BELT. I HAVE TRIED TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT INSTALLING AFTERMARKET SHOULDER STRAPS FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. FIRST I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF MY LOCAL DEALER (BIG VALLEY FORD, STOCKTON CA). THE PERSON I SPOKE TO IN THE PARTS DEPARTMENT WAS CLUELESS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE AND PROVIDED NO SUGGESTIONS. NEXT I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY THROUGH ITS OWNER CONNECTION @ HTTP://WWW.OWNERCONNECTION.COM/FORMSLOGIN.ASP?/HOME/HOME.ASP?. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO SPEAK TO MY LOCAL DEALER. I RESPONDED THAT I HAD TRIED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THAT THEY HAD BEEN OF NO HELP. THEY AGAIN REFERRED ME TO MY LOCAL DEALER. NEXT I VISITED THE LOCAL DEALER. I SPOKE TO A CUSTOMER REP IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT "IF IT IS NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, WE DO NOT TOUCH IT." I HAVE SEARCHED THE WEB FOR HELP BUT CAN NOT FIND ANY. I FOUND A SITE (HTTP://WWW.CHILDSAFETY.ORG/FORD/01.20.98.HTML) THAT LISTS REAR SEAT SHOULDER BELT ACCESSORY KITS BY FORD, BUT THEY DO NOT INCLUDE THE AEROSTAR. CAN YOU HELP ME? IS IT POSSIBLE TO SAFELY INSTALL A SHOULDER STRAP IN THE 2ND SEAT OF THIS VAN? IF SO, WHERE CAN I OBTAIN THE CORRECT BELT AND HARDWARE AND INSTRUCTIONS ON INSTALLATION? I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL UNIVERSAL BELTS ON THE WEB, BUT NONE THAT COME WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. THAT MAKES ME WEARY OF THEIR PRODUCTS. THANK YOU
NHTSA ODI #710724
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructureCrash
THE BRAKES ON OUR 1988 FORD AEROSTAR COULD BE DEADLY. THE ASSEMBELY FAILS ABOUT EVERY 12K-15K MILES, AND HAS RESULTED IN ONE ACCIDENT, AND MANY SKIDS. IN ADITION, THE HYDROLIC CYLINDER THAT HOLDS THE REAR HATCHGATE "UP" FAILED AFTER BEING LOWERED. TO USE THE HATCHGATE, A PIECE OF WOOD MUST BE UTILIZED.
NHTSA ODI #710376
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 1999
Electrical SystemFire
FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS WHEN VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED. NOTICED SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD & ASH TRAY. CHECKED UNDER HOOD & VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. PUT FLAMES OUT. VEHICLE TOWED HOME. FIRE HAD ORIGINATED AROUND THE ALTERNATOR. VEHICLE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER. THE SECOND TIME WAS 3/21/99. *AK
NHTSA ODI #838892
Official recalls
4Aug 11, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA (10 SOUTHERN COUNTIES OF LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, SAN BERNADINO, SAN DIEGO, RIVERSIDE, VENTURA, SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, IMPERIAL, AND KERN), FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA (CLARK COUNTY), OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TEXAS, AND IN THE U.S. TERRITORIES COVERED BY THE FEDERAL STATUTES. THE UPPER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK CAN DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS DUE TO EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO VERY HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. FUEL VAPOR OR LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AT THESE CRACKS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, THROUGH MARCH 31, 2002. THIS COVERAGE WILL ONLY BE FOR STRUCTURAL CRACKS AT THE TOP OF THE TANK AND WILL NOT INCLUDE OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY AN ACCIDENT OR ROAD DEBRIS.
Apr 25, 1996
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Aug 19, 1991
SOME LIFTGATE GAS CYLINDER-TO-BODY ATTACHMENT BALL STUDS MAY FRACTURE IN EITHER THE OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A BALL STUD FRACTURES, THE LIFTGATE WILL NOT REMAIN INTHE OPEN POSITION. BODILY INJURY COULD RESULT IF THE LIFTGATE DROPS WHILESOMEONE IS UNDER IT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE GAS CYLINDER-TO-BODY ATTACHMENT BALL STUDS.
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.
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
12EA96030 · Cracked Fuel Tanks
Opened Dec 20, 1996 · Closed Aug 13, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
CRACKED FUEL TANKS ARE LEAKING FUEL
PE96050 · Cracked Fuel Tanks
Opened Aug 6, 1996 · Closed Dec 20, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
CRACKED FUEL TANKS ARE LEAKING FUEL
EA94025 · Seat Belt Buckle Failure
Opened Jul 19, 1994 · Closed Sep 30, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
There is no summary currently available
PE94021 · Seat Belt Buckle Failure
Opened Mar 4, 1994 · Closed Jul 19, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
There is no summary currently available
PE91127 · 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
EA89021 · Windshield Wiper Motor
Opened Mar 23, 1989 · Closed May 4, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
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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
Illustration