Recalls (7)
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 1986 Ford Aerostar. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗FUEL:FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY:PIPE:FILLER:NECK
- Summary
- INSUFFICIENT INTERFERENCE FIT BETWEEN FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND GROMMET COULD RESULT IN AN INADEQUATE SEAL WHICH COULD ALLOW FUEL TO SEEP FROM THE JOINT.
- Consequence
- IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Remedy
- INSTALL A REVISED DESIGN GROMMET.
INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE SEAT AND SHOULDER BELTS AN
- Summary
- VANS WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT PLASTIC COVER DESIGNED TO COVER OUTBOARD SEAT BACK PIVOT HINGE ALLOWING WEBBING OF FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE SAFETY BELTS TO BECOME ABRADED OR CUT DUE TO CONTACT WITH EXPOSED HINGE.
- Consequence
- DAMAGE TO BELT WEBBING COULD WEAKEN BELTS TO POINT OFFAILURE INCREASING RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT OR A SUDDEN STOP.
- Remedy
- INSTALL PLASTIC PIVOT COVER; REPLACE BELTS AS NECESSARY.
INTERIOR SYSTEMS:SEAT TRACK ANCHORS AND SEATS
- Summary
- WIRING FOR THE POWER LUMBAR SEAT SYSTEM WAS ROUTED DIRECTLY BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION SPRINGS AND MAY BE ABRADED BY THE SPRINGS.
- Consequence
- THIS COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH MAY CREATESUFFICIENT HEAT TO START A FIRE IN THE SEAT CUSHION PAD AND/OR TRIM COVER.
- Remedy
- INSTALL A FUSE WITHIN THE POWER LUMBAR ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:OTHER PART
- Summary
- VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TRAILER TOW PACKAGE HAVE A TRAILER TAILLIGHT RELAY ASSEMBLY THAT CONTAINS WIRES OF SMALLER GAUGE THAN THE FUSE LINK WHICH PROTECTS THE CIRCUIT.
- Consequence
- SHOULD A SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THE WIRING WITHIN THERELAY OR IF WATER INTRUSION OCCURS THE SMALLER GAUGE WIRE IN THE RELAY WILLFUNCTION AS A FUSE LINK AND OVERHEAT. THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR A FIRE IF THEWIRES ARE EXPOSED TO COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS.
- Remedy
- INSTALLATION OF A RELAY WITH WIRES OF GAUGE ADEQUATE TO PROTECT THE CIRCUIT.
FUEL:FUEL LINES:METALLIC
- Summary
- SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
- Consequence
- COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
- Remedy
- INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
FUEL:FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY:TANK
- Summary
- FUEL TANKS MAY HAVE BEEN SCORED OR PENETRATED WHEN FLOOR PAN MOUNTING HOLES FOR THE PARTITIONS WERE DRILLED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE WOULD EXIST.
- Remedy
- REPLACE FUEL TANKS AS NECESSARY.
SUSPENSION:SINGLE AXLE:REAR:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
- Summary
- THERE MAY BE INADEQUATE WELDING IN SOME UNDERBODY STRUCTURAL AREAS, INCLUDING THOSE AT THE REAR SUSPENSION ATTACHMENTS, WHICH MAY CAUSE IT TO SEPARATE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF REAR SUSPENSION ATTACHMENTS SHOULD SEPARATE FROM THE UNDERBODY DURING VEHICLE USE, THE AXLE COULD SHIFT DURING ACCELERATION OR BRAKING AND MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE STEERING CONTROL WHICH MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy
- REINFORCE SUSPECT WELD LOCATIONS AND MODIFY TO PREVENT WELD FAILURE.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (53)
53 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 53 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 20 | 37.7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 20.8% |
| Power train | 7 | 13.2% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 9.4% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 7.5% |
| Steering | 3 | 5.7% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 3.8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 1.9% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1.9% |
How 1986 compares with other Aerostar years
Best and worst Aerostar years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 53 | 7 |
| 1987 | 114 | 4 |
| 1988 | 177 | 4 |
| 1989 | 260 | 5 |
| 1990 | 195 | 6 |
| 1991 | 223 | 3 |
| 1992 | 317 | 3 |
| 1993 | 374 | 2 |
| 1994 | 257 | 3 |
| 1995 | 157 | 5 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 22 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,050
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 404 g/mi
- EPA class
- Vans
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 22 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 25 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1986 Aerostar for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1986 Ford Aerostar FAQ
How many recalls does the 1986 Ford Aerostar have?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns: 90V021000 (fuel system), 89V226000 (seat belt), 88V145000 (seat), 88V091000 (electrical), 87V139000 (fuel system), 86V123000 (fuel system), 86V006000 (suspension). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1986 Ford Aerostar problems?
Owners filed 53 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (20), Engine and engine cooling (11), Power train (7) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1986 Ford Aerostar get?
EPA rates the 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 20 city, 25 highway and 22 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1986 Aerostar compare with other years?
Among the 1986–1995 Ford Aerostar model years at least five years old, the 1986 drew the fewest complaints (53) and the 1993 the most (374). The 1986 drew 53. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.