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: 12 of 317 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.
Power Train. Review the 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
29 crash reports30 fire reports19 injury reports
What owners actually said
317 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
OWNER WAS DRIVING AND APPLIED THE BRAKES VAN DIDN'T STOP. SHE THEN APPLIED THEM AGAIN AND THE VAN THEN CAME TO A STOP. *AK CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND NOTICED HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE HANGING FROM TIRE, IT CAME OFF AT METAL CONNECTION TO BRAKE LINE, HOSE IS INTACT, THERE ARE NO RIPS, HOLES OR TEARS, CONSUMER REPLACED BRAKE H…
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OWNER WAS DRIVING AND APPLIED THE BRAKES VAN DIDN'T STOP. SHE THEN APPLIED THEM AGAIN AND THE VAN THEN CAME TO A STOP. *AK CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND NOTICED HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE HANGING FROM TIRE, IT CAME OFF AT METAL CONNECTION TO BRAKE LINE, HOSE IS INTACT, THERE ARE NO RIPS, HOLES OR TEARS, CONSUMER REPLACED BRAKE HOSE, HOWEVER THE FRONT LEFT HOSE CAME OFF IN THE EXACT SAME POINT. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #816380
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1997
Electrical System
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE CAME FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CAUSED A SHORT IN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL BOARD. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #813982
Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 1997
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE SUDDENLY PICKED UP SPEED FROM 35 TO50 MPH AS IF PEDAL WAS FORCED DOWN. SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL TO AVOID PICKING UP SPEED, SHIFTED TO PARK, ENGINE STILL RACING. TURNED SWITCH OFF/ON TO STOP SURGING, VEHICLE WITH DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #815858
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 1997
Air BagsCrashInjury
VEHICLE SWERVED INTO OTHER LANE WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, REARENDED THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. AIRBAG WIRE HAD BEEN SLICED IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #815238
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS, FRONT BRAKE LINE ROTTED/CORRODED/ RUSTED; BRAKES COLLAPSED, DISINTEGRATED. BRAKE LINES REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #815160
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 1997
Air Bags
AIR BAG WARNIN GLIGHT CONTINUES TO BLINK. DRIVER, WHO IS A SHORT STATURED WOMAN, IS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY IN THE EVENT THE AIR BAG WOULD DEPLOY. FORD REFUSES TO DISCONNECT AIR BAG WITHOUT MEDICAL WAIVER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #522518
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 1997
Electrical SystemFire
DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 40MPH, CAME UPON STOP SIGN; NOTICEDSMOKE COMING FROM DASHBOARD AREA BY DRIVER'S SIDE; VEHICLE'S ENGINE DIED & WOULD NOT RESTART; TAKEN TO DEALER & MECHANIC SAID IGNITION SWITCH SHORT CIRCUITED & CAUSED WIRES TO MELT TOGETHER THROUGH WIRING HARNESS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #814188
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 1997
Equipment
THE AIR CONDITIONING PUMP HOSE RUBS THE RACK AND PINION, CAUSING A CRACK IN THE HOSE WHICH CAUSES FREON TO LEAK INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. MECHANIC/DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM. HOSE HAS BEEN REDESIGNED IN THE NEW MODELS AND THE REPLACEMENT HOSES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #813465
Mileage unknown · May 27, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO FLOOR. UPON CHECKING THE VEHICLE, DISCOVERED THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED BECAUSE THE HOSE CAME APART FROM THE FITTING. OWNER WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #812512
Mileage unknown · May 19, 1997
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ALL OF A SUDDEN LOOKED OUT OF THE DOOR AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVER PUT OUT THE FLAMES WITH THE FIRE PUMP. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER MINIVANS. (THIS INCLUDES ALL 1992 AWD AEROSTARS NOT PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN SAFETY RECALL 97V-204/97S83). THESE VEHICLES CAN DEVELOP POWERTRAIN BENDING RESONANCE OR TRANSFER CASE OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING DISPLACEMENT. THE POWERTRAIN BENDING RESONANCE OR THE OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING DISPLACEMENT CAN RESULT IN STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND/OR TRANSFER CASE. FLUID EXPLUSION, DRIVESHAFT SEPARATION OR LOSS OF VEHICLE DRIVE CAN RESULT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND, IF THE EXPELLED FLUID CONTACTS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TRANSFER CASE REAR OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING AND AN ALUMINUM DRIVESHAFT WILL BE INSTALLED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A HIGHER THAN SPECIFIED ELECTRICAL LOAD THROUGH THE ACCESSORY POWER FEED CIRCUIT. THE POTENTIAL FOR CONTACT BETWEEN THE B2 (BATTERY), A2 (ACCESSORY), AND P1 (PROOF) CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR, CREATING A SHORT CIRCUIT, ALLOWING CURRENT TO FLOW THROUGH THE GROUND WIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE OVER HEATING AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A JUMPER HARNESS WITH A RELAY WHICH WILL RE-ROUTE AND ACTIVATE ALL A2 ACCESSORIES THROUGH THE RELAY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER MINIVANS. THESE VEHICLES CAN DEVELOP POWERTRAIN BENDING RESONANCE OR TRANSFER CASE OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING DISPLACEMENT. THE POWERTRAIN BENDING RESONANCE OR THE OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING DISPLACEMENT CAN RESULT IN STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND/OR TRANSFER CASE. FLUID EXPLUSION, DRIVESHAFT SEPARATION OR LOSS OF VEHICLE DRIVE CAN RESULT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND, IF THE EXPELLED FLUID CONTACTS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TRANSFER CASE REAR OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING AND AN ALUMINUM DRIVESHAFT WILL BE INSTALLED.
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
5
PE02076 · Luggage Compartment Door Drops Abruptly
Opened Oct 10, 2002 · Closed Mar 10, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut
ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS RESULTING IN MINOR TO MODERATE PERSONAL INJURIES THAT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ABRUPT DOOR DROPS OVER THE APPROXIMATELY EIGHT - TWELVE YEAR PERIOD OF PRODUCT USAGE AND EXPOSURE (1991-1995 TO 2003).MOST OF THE INJURY INCIDENTS APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A FRACTURE OF THE GAS FILLED LIFT ASSIST CYLINDER MOUNTING STUD.STUD FRACTURES HAVE OCCURRED RANDOMLY OVER TIME AND DO NOT EXHIBIT ANY APPARENT TREND RELATING TO DATE OF VEHICLE PRODUCTION OR TIME-IN-SERVICE (EXPOSURE).THE ODI CLOSING REPORT SUMMARIZES THE DETAILS OF THIS INVESTIGATION.
PE99035 · Front Brake Hose
Opened May 12, 1999 · Closed Sep 23, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ALLEGED THAT A FRONT BRAKE HOSE RUPTURES OR FAILS AT THE INTERFACE BETWEEN THE RUBBER HOSE AND THE BRASS FITTING
EA99002 · 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
RQ98012 · Transfer Cases And Rear Driveshaft
Opened Jul 31, 1998 · Closed Jan 7, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)
There is no summary currently available
RQ97015 · Parking Pawl
Opened Oct 29, 1997 · Closed Apr 1, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission
WHEN THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARKING PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OF GEAR UNINTENTIONALLY AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO START ROLLING INADVERTENTLY
1992 Ford Aerostar Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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