SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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 →
63Owner complaints

Model-year median: 135.5

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
257
1994157
1995104
199663
19974
19987
19996
2000
Compare all Aerostar years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
13Power Train
9Vehicle Speed Control
9Service Brakes, Hydraulic
7Wheels
7
All reported categories
Air Bags
4Fuel System, Gasoline
4Suspension
4Latches/locks/linkages
3Tires
3Engine And Engine Cooling
2Seat Belts
2Steering
2Unknown Or Other
2Engine
1Interior Lighting
1Structure
1Visibility
1

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

Tires complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
24,000 miles · Sep 23, 2003
Tires

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED RAPIDLY, WHICH RESULTED IN COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE TIRE. *AK THE WHEEL WELL AND BUMPER WERE DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE FAILURE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AND IT FAILED AGAIN WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE WHE…

Read full complaint

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED RAPIDLY, WHICH RESULTED IN COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE TIRE. *AK THE WHEEL WELL AND BUMPER WERE DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE FAILURE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AND IT FAILED AGAIN WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE WHEEL WELL AND BUMPER WAS AGAIN DAMAGED. *PH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10034255

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Tires

TIRES FAILED. MICHELIN / FORD REFUSED TO REPLACE TIRES (P215/75 R14). *YC

NHTSA ODI #606759

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 1998
Tires

TIRE CAME OFF STRIKING WINDSHIELD OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT).

NHTSA ODI #539049

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