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 24, 1999
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD BURNT BLACK. HAD NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS DUE TIO LACK OF WARNING. VEHICLE HAD STOPPED. THE CLUTCH WAS BROKEN, BEARINGS BUSTED. THE PILOT SHAFT TWISTED. TORQUE CONVERTOR BUSHING IN HOUSING BLEW FUEL OUT OF SEAL. VEHICLE FAIL TO RESPOND. HAD VEHICLE …
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TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD BURNT BLACK. HAD NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS DUE TIO LACK OF WARNING. VEHICLE HAD STOPPED. THE CLUTCH WAS BROKEN, BEARINGS BUSTED. THE PILOT SHAFT TWISTED. TORQUE CONVERTOR BUSHING IN HOUSING BLEW FUEL OUT OF SEAL. VEHICLE FAIL TO RESPOND. HAD VEHICLE TOWED HOME.
NHTSA ODI #848702
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1999
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering
STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE. ALSO, AIRBAG/CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE IS IN REPAIR SHOP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #846243
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1999
Exterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK DEFECTIVE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH WAS THE CAUSING OF FAILURE WHICH CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #826310
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 1999
EquipmentFire
THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER POPPED OUT OF THE SOCKET AND CAUSED A FIRE WITHIN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. AUTO INSURANCE PAID FOR DAMAGES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848004
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 1999
Electrical System
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL FAILURE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (99V029000) WHICH IS POSSIBLY CAUSING OTHER COMPONENTS TO MALFUNCTION. *YC
NHTSA ODI #548516
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES DURING A NORMAL STOPPING CONDITION, THE REAR ABS LOCKED UP, AND THE TRUCK DID A 180 DEGREE TURN, CAUSING A CRASH. THIS HAPPENED ON DRY/ NORMAL ROAD CONDTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #847559
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO REPORT BRAKE LINE HOSES CRACKING AND LEAKING. BELIEVED THIS IS A RESULT OF A MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN FLAW. NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #844594
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 1999
Air BagsCrashInjury
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 20-25 MPH AND INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISON, IMPACTING ON FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE IN WHICH DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK CONSUMER INVOLVED IN SIX ACCIDENTS, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON ALL OCCASIONS NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG…
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CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 20-25 MPH AND INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISON, IMPACTING ON FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE IN WHICH DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK CONSUMER INVOLVED IN SIX ACCIDENTS, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON ALL OCCASIONS NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #837351
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 1999
Unknown Or Other
LEARNED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN 98E010000 VIA WEB SITE, NOT FORD. DOES IT APPLY TO MY CAR?
NHTSA ODI #710930
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 1999
Electrical System
THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS FROM THE FUEL PUMP RELAY TO THE TRANSMISSION MELTED THE PLUGS DOWN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. ALSO BURNED THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE HORN RELAY WHICH BLEW A FUSE. IT ALSO BURNED A WIRE GOING INTO THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE DASH ON DRIVER'S SIDE. *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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