IllustrationRIGHT FRONT SPINDLE AND KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTIONED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK RIGHT FRONT SPINDLE/KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. RIGHT FRONT ROTOR, INNER AND OUTER WHEEL BEARINGS AND SEAL WERE ALL REPLACED. *TT
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.
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: 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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
7 reportsFORD RECOMMENDS INCORRECT ADJUSTMENT OF REAR BRAKES, WHICH CAUSES OVERHEATING OF DRUMS AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF AXLE SEALS, AXLE BEARINGS, AND TIRE ON THE RIM ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE DRUM. FORD STIPULATES THAT BRAKE SHOES ARE TO BE TOUCHING DRUM WHEN BRAKES ARE ADJUSTED. THIS RESULTS IN FRICTIONAL HEAT BUILD-UP, AND IS LIKELY TO …
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FORD RECOMMENDS INCORRECT ADJUSTMENT OF REAR BRAKES, WHICH CAUSES OVERHEATING OF DRUMS AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF AXLE SEALS, AXLE BEARINGS, AND TIRE ON THE RIM ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE DRUM. FORD STIPULATES THAT BRAKE SHOES ARE TO BE TOUCHING DRUM WHEN BRAKES ARE ADJUSTED. THIS RESULTS IN FRICTIONAL HEAT BUILD-UP, AND IS LIKELY TO BE A CONTRIBUTOR TO TIRE FAILURES REPORTED WITH THE FORD EXPLORER. THE FORD EXPLORER, AEROSTAR, AND RANGER ALL SHARE POWER TRAIN AND DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENTS. THIS PRACTICE HAS COST ME $000S ON MY 4 FORD AEROSTARS (1989, 1992, 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEARS)
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN A SUDDEN LOSS IN ALMOST ALL BRAKING POWER AND LOSS OF FRONT RIGHT WHEEL NEARLY COMING OFF VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FRONT SPINDLE ASSEMBLY, BRAKE ROTOR,AND CALIPERAND BALL JOINTS WERE DETROYED . DUE TO THE NATURE OF TH…
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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN A SUDDEN LOSS IN ALMOST ALL BRAKING POWER AND LOSS OF FRONT RIGHT WHEEL NEARLY COMING OFF VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FRONT SPINDLE ASSEMBLY, BRAKE ROTOR,AND CALIPERAND BALL JOINTS WERE DETROYED . DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE REPAIR THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR, CALIPER AND SHOES HAD TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE EFFICIENTLY. THIS INCIDENT COST IN EXCESS OF $1,400.00 TO REPLACE I RESEARCHED YOUR WEB SITE AND FOUND A IDENTICAL PROBLEM ODI ID 554544 I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP IN A RESULTION TO RETRIEVE LOST EXPENCES AND AND MY NEXT BEST COURSE OF ACTION.
WHEN TURNING OR APPLYING BRAKES THEY WOULD MAKE LOUD NOISES FROM THE REAR WHEELS. BEEN TO DEALER & INFORMED CONSUMER THAT'S HOW ITS SUPPOSE TO BE. DID NOT REPAIR BRAKES. *AK
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, THE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT INDICATION OR BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR. ABS SENOR LIGHT WOULD COME ON WOULD COME ON WHILE CONSUMER CONTINUED PUMPING THE BRAKES FOR VEHICLE TO STOP. DEALER NOTIFIED AND UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM…
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CONSUMER EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, THE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT INDICATION OR BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR. ABS SENOR LIGHT WOULD COME ON WOULD COME ON WHILE CONSUMER CONTINUED PUMPING THE BRAKES FOR VEHICLE TO STOP. DEALER NOTIFIED AND UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND SHOES/ ROTORS DUE A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE REAR BRAKE ADJUSTERS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON OTHER COMPLAINTS. *AK
CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE, PRESSED BRAKES, WENT TO REVERSE AND VEHICLE ACCELLERATED AT HIGH SPEED, RACING 100 FEET DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE ROAD, JUMPED A CURVE AND TORE DOWN APPPROX. 70 FT. OF CHAINLINK FENCE. THE PIPE FROM FENCE BROKE BACK WINDOW OF VEHICLE ,PERTRUDING THROUGH HITTING CONSUMER ON HEAD, THEN BROKEN WINDSHI…
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CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE, PRESSED BRAKES, WENT TO REVERSE AND VEHICLE ACCELLERATED AT HIGH SPEED, RACING 100 FEET DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE ROAD, JUMPED A CURVE AND TORE DOWN APPPROX. 70 FT. OF CHAINLINK FENCE. THE PIPE FROM FENCE BROKE BACK WINDOW OF VEHICLE ,PERTRUDING THROUGH HITTING CONSUMER ON HEAD, THEN BROKEN WINDSHIELD EXTENDED ABOUT 40 FT. OUTSIDE OF WINDSHIELD. THROUGH ALL OF THIS, CONSUMER STILL HAD FOOT ON THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTILL FENCE WAS CAUGHT UP UNDER VEHICLE. CONSUMER SUFFERS A SWOLLEN FOOT DUE TO PRESSURE APPLIED TO BRAKES. *AK
Official recalls
300V425000 · 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
2EA99002 · 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