Illustration5 YEAR OLD CHILD DISENGAGED TRANSMISSION FROM PARK. KEYS WERE NOT IN VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS OFF AND IN PARK. VEHICHLE ROLLED DOWN DRIVEWAY ACROSS STREE AND HIT PARKED CAR. *AK
1993 Ford Aerostar
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Aerostar years
Owner complaints for the 1993 Ford Aerostar are substantially higher than 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: 18 of 374 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 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
37 crash reports38 fire reports28 injury reports
Power Train complaints
68 reportsRECALL 97-V-2041-000; WHENEVER MAKING A LEFT TURN VEHICLE WILL JERK TO ONE SIDE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
WAS SHIFTING GEARS WHEN SOMETHING HAD SNAPPED. WAS UNABLE TO PUT INTO PARK. COULD DRIVE VEHICLE. COULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. WOULD FORCE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL TO GET KEY OUT. NOTICED METAL ROD INSIDE COMPARTMENT HAD BROKEN IN HALF AFTER STEERING COVER REMOVED. *AK THE METAL SHAFT THAT SHIFT THE GEAR BROKE IN HALF MAKI…
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WAS SHIFTING GEARS WHEN SOMETHING HAD SNAPPED. WAS UNABLE TO PUT INTO PARK. COULD DRIVE VEHICLE. COULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. WOULD FORCE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL TO GET KEY OUT. NOTICED METAL ROD INSIDE COMPARTMENT HAD BROKEN IN HALF AFTER STEERING COVER REMOVED. *AK THE METAL SHAFT THAT SHIFT THE GEAR BROKE IN HALF MAKING STICK SHIFT LOOSE. *YH
THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED IN NOV. 1997 FOR DRIVE LINE FAILURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANFER CASE AND DRIVESHAFT. THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIRS AT THAT TIME. A VIBRATION HAS OCCURRED NOW AND INSPECTION SHOWS EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE TRANSFER CASE, AND VERY LIKELY HAS CREATED A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CO…
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THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED IN NOV. 1997 FOR DRIVE LINE FAILURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANFER CASE AND DRIVESHAFT. THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIRS AT THAT TIME. A VIBRATION HAS OCCURRED NOW AND INSPECTION SHOWS EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE TRANSFER CASE, AND VERY LIKELY HAS CREATED A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY SAID THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE COSTS 0F REPAIRS IS $2000.00 THE SITUATION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF THE DRIVESHAFT DOES INDEED DROP FROM THE BACK OF THE TRANSFER CASE. ALSO THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED IN MARCH 1999 FOR POWER CIRCUIT AND POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS. SINCE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE WE HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCESORYS WORKING WHEN THE SWITCH IS IN THE WRONG POSITION, AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON PERIODICALLY. WE CONTEND THAT FORD ATTEMPTED TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS, BUT DUE TO POOR DEALER SUPPORT, THE VEHICLE IS AS UNSAFE AS IT WAS PRIOR TO REPAIRS BEING MADE. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE US IN FIXING THIS INJUSTICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.*AK
REAR AXLE IS MAKING A LOUD NOISE, AXLE GREASE WAS REPLACED. NLM
AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. *SLC
I KNOW AT LEAST 3 OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE OF VEHICLE. UNABLE TO LOCATE RECALL INFORMATION. PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
WHILE DRIVING AT 40-45 MPH REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO SQUEAL. TOOK VEHICLE TO TWO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS, THEY INFORMED CONSUMER THAT REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS BURNED UP. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR DRIVESHAFT INBALANCE , LOOSEN FASTNERS CAUSING CRACKS IN TRANSFER CASE, REPAIRS WERE MADE. BUT THE DRIVE…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 40-45 MPH REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO SQUEAL. TOOK VEHICLE TO TWO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS, THEY INFORMED CONSUMER THAT REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS BURNED UP. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR DRIVESHAFT INBALANCE , LOOSEN FASTNERS CAUSING CRACKS IN TRANSFER CASE, REPAIRS WERE MADE. BUT THE DRIVER QUESTIONS IF THESE DIFECTS HAVE IMPACT ON CURRENT PROBLEM? *YH
POSSIBLE TRANSAXLE COOLANT LINE FAILURE CAUSED FIRE. *ET
I WIIL BE FAXING OVER THE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS 93 FORD AEROSTAR. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD STARTING PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE A/C FAILED. RELAY STARTER MOTOR FAILED. THE HEATER CORE FAILED. POWER STEERING WAS INOPERATIVE. TIE RODS ON BOTH TIRES FAILED. WATER PUMP FAILED…
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I WIIL BE FAXING OVER THE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS 93 FORD AEROSTAR. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD STARTING PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE A/C FAILED. RELAY STARTER MOTOR FAILED. THE HEATER CORE FAILED. POWER STEERING WAS INOPERATIVE. TIE RODS ON BOTH TIRES FAILED. WATER PUMP FAILED. *YH
Official recalls
299V029000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Feb 9, 1999
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.
97V204000 · Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)
Nov 13, 1997
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
5PE02076 · 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.
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
EA98016 · Fuel Sender Assembly Fires
Opened Jul 14, 1998 · Closed Feb 12, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE98010 · Fuel Sender Assembly Fires
Opened Feb 13, 1998 · Closed Jul 14, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
OWNERS ALLEGE THAT FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP/SENDER CONNECTOR RESULTS IN SHORT CIRCUIT THAT HAS RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRES.SYMPTOMS INCLUDE ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION, , SMOKE FROM THE DASH ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE STEERING COLUMN (FUEL PUMP FUSIBLE LINK) AND PASSENGER SIDE (FUEL PUMP INERTIA CUTOFF SWITCH), INTERMITTENT STALL AND NO START CONCERNS, AND A BURNING ODOR. SEVERAL INCIDENTS HAVE RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO PLASTIC FUEL TUBES AND/OR FUEL SUPPLY/RETURN TUBES.