IllustrationVEHICLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK
1990 Ford Aerostar
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1990 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: 5 of 195 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 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
24 crash reports57 fire reports13 injury reports
What owners actually said
195 reportsNHTSARECALL 98-V-190-000 CONCERNING UPPER PORTION OF FUEL TANK THAT CAN DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS DUE TO EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO VERY HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. FUEL VAPOR OR LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AT THESE CRACKS. CONSUMER HADTHE RECALL LETTER, BUT MANUFACTURER DIDN'T HONOR IT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.TS. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THE SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL #98V190000 FUEL TANK CRACKS. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. TS
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V190000 FUEL TANK; THE VAN WAS TAKEN IN AS A SERVICE CAMPAIGN BY FORD FOR THE FUEL TANK BACK IN 1999. AFTER INSPECTING THE FUEL TANK, THE DEALER TOLD HER THE TANK WAS FINE AND DIDN'T REPLACE IT. NOW IN 2002, THE FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED SEVERAL CRACKS WHICH THE FORD DEALERSHIP WILL NO LONGER HONOR THE S…
Read full complaint
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V190000 FUEL TANK; THE VAN WAS TAKEN IN AS A SERVICE CAMPAIGN BY FORD FOR THE FUEL TANK BACK IN 1999. AFTER INSPECTING THE FUEL TANK, THE DEALER TOLD HER THE TANK WAS FINE AND DIDN'T REPLACE IT. NOW IN 2002, THE FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED SEVERAL CRACKS WHICH THE FORD DEALERSHIP WILL NO LONGER HONOR THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN DUE TO AN "EXPIRATION DATE". PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS
FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE FILLER NECK WHEN REFUELING. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL RUNS OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. *SCC
WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT FRONT AND LEFT REAR TIRES BLEWOUT, THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, FUT TUR SE, P215/70R14, DOT NUMBER VDHYNMA396. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING RUBBER SMELL DUE TO A FIRE IN ALTERNATOR SYSTEM. THIS WAS THE SECOND AEROSTAR STAR VEHICLE THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM.*AK
I PURCHASED MY VAN FROM MONARCH FORD IN EXETER MARCH OF 1996, BEFORE BUYING THE VAN I ASKED THEM TO PLEASE GIVE ME THE FORMER OWNERS PHONE NUMBER SO THAT I COULD CONTACT THEM INREGARDS TO ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS THEY HAD BEFORE SELLING IT BACK TO FORD. MONARCH FORD REFUSED AND I GUESS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A WARNING TO ME, I ALSO AS…
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED MY VAN FROM MONARCH FORD IN EXETER MARCH OF 1996, BEFORE BUYING THE VAN I ASKED THEM TO PLEASE GIVE ME THE FORMER OWNERS PHONE NUMBER SO THAT I COULD CONTACT THEM INREGARDS TO ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS THEY HAD BEFORE SELLING IT BACK TO FORD. MONARCH FORD REFUSED AND I GUESS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A WARNING TO ME, I ALSO ASKED IF THEY HAD REPAINTED THE VAN BECAUSE THE FORD AND AEROSTAR EMBLEMS WERE NOT ON THE BACK OF THE VAN. THEY SAID ABSOTULY NOT THAT IT WAS EVERYTHING THE SAME. IT WAS ONLY 10 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY VAN THAT I NOTICED A GAS SMELL AND HAD IT CHECK WITH MONARCH IN EXETER. THEY ASSURED ME THEY COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK BUT THAT THEY COULD SMELL THE GAS. I HAVE SINCE HAD IT TO MANY OTHER STATIONS TO HAVE IT CHECK AND I GET THEY SAME ANSWER. I HAVE DONE SOME INVESTIGATING MYSELF AND FOUND THAT FORD HAS A EXSISTING PROBLEM WITH THEIR FUEL TANKS AND LEAKS. I FEEL THIS IS WHAT HAS HAPPEN IN MY CASE. I FEEL I HAVE A LEAK IN MY GAS TANK AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL THIS IS THE MANUFACTORS REPONSEABLITY AND THAT IT WHY I AM ASKING FOR YOUR HELP. THE GAS LEAK IS GETTING WORSE AND THE SMELL IS REALLY BAD. I NEED THIS VAN FIXED IT IS A HAZARD TO DRIVE. EVERYWHERE I TAKE IT THEY TELL ME THEY CAN SMELL IT AND THAT I SHOULD NOT DRIVE IT BUT THAT THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD IT IS A FACTORY PROBLEM? CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT TO DO AND HOW I CAN GET THIS RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I KNOW FORD HAS THIS PROBLEM I JUST DO NOT KNOW HOW IS THE BEST WAY TO GET IT FIXED. I WOULD APPREICATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME SO THAT I CAN GET MY VAN SAFE FOR DRIVING AGAIN. PLEASE CAN YOU HELP ME. SINCERELY [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
VEHICLE WAS PARKED. DRIVER TURNED IGNITION AND VEHICLE WAS IDLING WHEN IT STARTED TO REV, SUDDENLY TRANSMISSION JUMPED INTO REVERSE AND HIT A BUILDING.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTDOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THERE IS A SIGN BURNING PLASTIC. RECALL NUMBER 96G07100. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Official recalls
698V190000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Aug 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.
96V071000 · Electrical System:ignition
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.
91V189000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Nov 4, 1991
WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OFGEAR UNINTENTIONALLY, VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHEN PARKED ON A SLOPED SURFACE, ANDINADVERTENT MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS CANRESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.
91V164000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
Sep 20, 1991
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BAR FOR REAR SOFA FAILED TO SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210.
Remedy: REPLACE NONCOMPLYING SOFA BAR WITH BAR THAT MEETS REQUIREMENTS.
90V144000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
Aug 6, 1990
THE SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SEAT ASSEMBLY HAS A TILT FORWARD FUNCTION. A LATCH RETAINS THE SEAT IN THE NORMAL RIDE POSTION, AND THIS LATCH MAY RELEASE UNDER SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT CONDITIONS, ALLOWING THE SEAT TO PIVOT FORWARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT COULD PIVOTFORWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: REPLACE SEAT PAWL ASSEMBLY WITH A REVISED DESIGN ASSEMBLY.
89V223000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
Dec 11, 1989
INABILITY TO MAINTAIN PRESSURE IN THE SECONDARY SYSTEM OF THE MASTER CYLINDER (CONTROLS BRAKING OF REAR WHEELS) COULD INCREASE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND REDUCE BRAKE PERFORMANCE AT TEMPERATURES LESS THAN 40 DEGREES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS WOULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS ANDINCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH OR COLLISION.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW DESIGN MASTER CYLINDER INCORPORATING A REDESIGNED SEAL.
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
5EA99002 · Transfer Cases And Rear Drive Shaft
Opened Jan 7, 1999 · Closed Nov 14, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
EA96030 · 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
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