IllustrationWHEN ACCELERATING CONSUMER HAD TO DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. WHEN THE VEHICLE MOVED THE THROTTLE GOT STUCK, AND REVVED VERY HIGH. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE THROTTLE LINKAGE HAD A STICKING PROBLEM. *AK
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
What owners actually said
63 reportsWHILE 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…
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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
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT REAR DRIVER'S SIDE RIM SPOKES ARE CRACKED. VEHICLE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. *AK FOUR SPOKES WERE CRACKED COMPLETELY THREW. ANY MORE AND CONSUMER FACED LOSS OF WHEEL FROM THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD THE SPARE PUT ON AND RIM REPLACED. CONSUMER LEARNED A PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP SELLS ONE OR MORE TO OTHER CUSTOME…
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CONSUMER NOTICED THAT REAR DRIVER'S SIDE RIM SPOKES ARE CRACKED. VEHICLE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. *AK FOUR SPOKES WERE CRACKED COMPLETELY THREW. ANY MORE AND CONSUMER FACED LOSS OF WHEEL FROM THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD THE SPARE PUT ON AND RIM REPLACED. CONSUMER LEARNED A PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP SELLS ONE OR MORE TO OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE PARTICULAR CUSTOMER WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THREE DEFECTIVE RIMS. *PH
REAR WINDOWS DO NOT ROLL DOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL # 97 V 204 000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB
VEHICLE WILL NOT RUN PROPERLY DUE TO THE TRANSFER CASE BEING DEFECTIVE. THERE IS A LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER NOTED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *YH
RIGHT 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
VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
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 …
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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)
VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN GOING 35-45MPH IN THE RIGHT SLOW LANE. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, VEHICLE PICKED UP MORE SPEED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL. VEHICLE RAN INTO ONE OF THE BEAMS UNDER UNDERPASS OF THE HIGHWAY. UPON IMPACT, FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. CONSUMER'S FACE HIT STEERING. CONSUMER HAD 16 STI…
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VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN GOING 35-45MPH IN THE RIGHT SLOW LANE. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, VEHICLE PICKED UP MORE SPEED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL. VEHICLE RAN INTO ONE OF THE BEAMS UNDER UNDERPASS OF THE HIGHWAY. UPON IMPACT, FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. CONSUMER'S FACE HIT STEERING. CONSUMER HAD 16 STICHES IN BOTTOM LIP. CONSUMER HAD A CASE, AND WAS NOT ALLOWED TO CONTACT DEALER AT THIS TIME.*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