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1997 Ford Aerostar

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Ford Aerostar do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 135.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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: 11 of 63 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 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

13 reports
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160,000 miles · Oct 9, 2020
Electrical System

I FOUND TWO INCOMPLETE RECALLS. I CALLED THE DEALER 9/28/2020 AT [XXX] AND SPOKE TO [XXX]. SHE PUT THE VIN IN HER SYSTEM, SAW THE TWO RECALLS AND SAID THE PARTS WOULD BE ORDERED. NO RESPONSE. I CALL [XXX] 10/5/2020 AT THE SAME NUMBER AND SHE SAID ABOUT THE SAME THING. THEN I CALLED 10/8/2020 AND ANOTHER SERVICE ADVISOR PRINTED O…

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I FOUND TWO INCOMPLETE RECALLS. I CALLED THE DEALER 9/28/2020 AT [XXX] AND SPOKE TO [XXX]. SHE PUT THE VIN IN HER SYSTEM, SAW THE TWO RECALLS AND SAID THE PARTS WOULD BE ORDERED. NO RESPONSE. I CALL [XXX] 10/5/2020 AT THE SAME NUMBER AND SHE SAID ABOUT THE SAME THING. THEN I CALLED 10/8/2020 AND ANOTHER SERVICE ADVISOR PRINTED OUT THE ISSUE WITH MY PHONE NUMBER [XXX] AND SAID [XXX] WOULD CALL ME AFTER LUNCH. NO RESPONSE. I TRIED CALLING THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE 800 392-3673 AND AFTER PRESSING '#' FOR TWO COMMERCIALS, THE RECORDER HUNG UP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE, BUT THESE ARE TWO RECALLS THAT ARE CONCERNS. (00S56 & 99S02). THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [XXX]AUGUSTA, GA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11363588

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2008
Electrical SystemPower Train

NEED TO KNOW WERE TO START TO GET ALL THE PROBLEMS ON MY VAN TAKEN CARE OF ALL THE RECALLS, OF POWER TRAIN THE ELECTRICAL AND WHATEVER ELSE WAS REPORTED TO ME ON MY REPORT OF THE RECALLS ON THIS 1997 AREOSTAR VAN THANK YOU MARYJEAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10222447

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2005
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineFire

MY 1997 FORD AERO STAR VAN PRODUCED A PUFF OF SMOKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE IGNITION SWITCH. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHOM CHECKED THE RECALL NOTICES AND FOUND ONE RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD SHORT CIRCUIT AND OVERHEATING IN THE STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF IT SUBSIDES. SIN…

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MY 1997 FORD AERO STAR VAN PRODUCED A PUFF OF SMOKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE IGNITION SWITCH. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHOM CHECKED THE RECALL NOTICES AND FOUND ONE RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD SHORT CIRCUIT AND OVERHEATING IN THE STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF IT SUBSIDES. SINCE THIS OCCURRENCE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS NOT WORKED AND BLEW ALL FUSES, THE FUEL PUMP DOES NOT TURN ON WITH THE KEY AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS IT ENGAGES SOME TIMES. THE FORD DEALER DID THE RECALL WORK BUT DID NOT FIX OR EXAMINE THE STEERING COLUMN OR THE COMPONENTS THAT BURNED OR OVER HEATED AS A RESULT OF THE OVERLOAD. [XXX] UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10129732

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2001
Electrical System

CONSUMER IS ABLE TO TURN IGINTION AND START VEHICLE WITHOUT KEY IN IT, CAUSING A SAFTEY HAZARD.*AK

NHTSA ODI #885707

Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2000
Electrical System

INTERMITTENT DISCHARGE OF BATTERY, CONTACT DEALER CANT FIND PROPLEM, FORD HAVE 3 SERVICE BULLETINS OUT ON PROBLEM,HAPPENS ON VEHICLES BUILD BEFORE CERTAIN TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #726123

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2000
Electrical System

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INVOLVING THE HORN CONTINUALLY FAILS. THE HORN REGULARY GOES OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH HORNS, THE LOW AND HIGH FREQUENCY. I HAVE REPLACED THE HORN RELAY. WITH EACH REPLACEMENT, THE HORN BURNS OUT BECAUSE IT IS OPERATED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS BECAUSE IT IS SET OFF BY SOMETHING …

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THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INVOLVING THE HORN CONTINUALLY FAILS. THE HORN REGULARY GOES OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH HORNS, THE LOW AND HIGH FREQUENCY. I HAVE REPLACED THE HORN RELAY. WITH EACH REPLACEMENT, THE HORN BURNS OUT BECAUSE IT IS OPERATED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS BECAUSE IT IS SET OFF BY SOMETHING IN THE SYSTEM. THIS USUALLY OCCURS AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #719234

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 1999
Electrical System

KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #843335

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 1999
Electrical System

VEHICLE DENIED RECALL WORK DUE TO LACK OF PARTS (99V-029) IGNITION SWITCH. MJS

NHTSA ODI #546060

Mileage unknown · May 11, 1999
Electrical System

CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER 4 TIMES REGARDING RECALL 99V029000, IGNITION SWITCH SHORT. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #837746

Mileage unknown · May 4, 1999
Electrical System

CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH RECALL REPAIR POLICY, WHEN REPAIR WAS MADE. (99S02)

NHTSA ODI #545333

Official recalls

3

00V425000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Dec 26, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES. AN ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS KINKED DURING INSTALLATION, CAUSING THE CORE WIRES TO EVENTUALLY FRAY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD INCREASE THE FRICTION IN THE CABLE, CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO BE SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ACCELERATOR CABLE.

99V029000 · 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

2

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