Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Ford Aerostar Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 23 recall campaigns across the Ford Aerostar, 1986–2000. Owners have filed 2,311 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 1993 drew the most (374) and the 1998 the fewest (4).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Ford Aerostar complaints by model year

2,311 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 1998 · 4 complaints
  • 2000 · 6 complaints
  • 1999 · 7 complaints

Most complaints

  • 1993 · 374 complaints
  • 1992 · 317 complaints
  • 1989 · 260 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 1991–2000. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Ford Aerostar owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component1991199219931994199519961997199819992000
Electrical system 67649969371213100
Power train 4975684222129032
Service brakes 3153582516177001
Air bags 03137441064111
Engine and engine cooling 132627221122021
Vehicle speed control 23122312649110
Steering 7141720792000
Structure 91123161041000

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Ford Aerostar recalls (23)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Aerostar model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Ford Aerostar
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
00V425000Dec 26, 2000FORD/ACCELERATOR CABLE1997—
99V094000Apr 28, 1999FORD/TRANSFER CASE/DRIVESHAFT1992—
99V029000Feb 9, 1999FORD/IGNITION SWITCH ELECTRICAL SHORT1992–1997—
99V028000Feb 9, 1999FORD/FUEL PUMP/WIRING HARNESS1994, 1995—
98V190000Aug 11, 1998FORD/FUEL TANK CRACKS1988, 1989, 1990—
97V204000Nov 13, 1997FORD/TRANSFER CASE/DRIVESHAFT1992–1997—
96V161000Aug 29, 1996FORD/EQUIPMENT; CERTIFICATION LABEL1996—
96V071000Apr 25, 1996FORD/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1988–1991—
96V070000Apr 22, 1996FORD/STRUCTURE:DOOR ASSEMBLY:LATCHES AND LOCKS1996—
95V037000Feb 28, 1995EQUIPMENT:CERTIFICATION LABEL1995—
94V239000Dec 1, 1994EQUIPMENT:CARRIER:SPARE TIRE1995—
91V189000Nov 4, 1991POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC1989, 1990, 1991—
91V164000Sep 20, 1991INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE SEAT AND SHOULDER BELTS AN1989, 1990, 1991—
91V136000Aug 19, 1991STRUCTURE:HATCHBACK HYDRAULIC CYLINDER:TRUNK CYLIN1987, 1988—
90V144000Aug 6, 1990INTERIOR SYSTEMS:SEAT LATCH1989, 1990—

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗

Fuel economy by model year

198616–22 mpg
198717–21 mpg
198817 mpg
198917 mpg
199016–17 mpg
199116–18 mpg
199215–18 mpg
199316–17 mpg
199415–17 mpg
199515–18 mpg
199615–17 mpg
199715–17 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

Ford Aerostar FAQ

How many recalls has the Ford Aerostar had?

NHTSA lists 23 recall campaigns that cover at least one Ford Aerostar model year from 1986 to 2000. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Ford Aerostar year has the most complaints?

Among the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 1993 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (374) and the 1998 the fewest (4). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Ford Aerostar problems?

Across the 1991–2000 model years, owners most often name the electrical system, power train, service brakes in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the Ford Aerostar get?

EPA rates the 1997 Ford Aerostar at 15 to 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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