Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1988 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 ↗FORD/FUEL TANK CRACKS
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA (10 SOUTHERN COUNTIES OF LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, SAN BERNADINO, SAN DIEGO, RIVERSIDE, VENTURA, SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, IMPERIAL, AND KERN), FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA (CLARK COUNTY), OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TEXAS, AND IN THE U.S. TERRITORIES COVERED BY THE FEDERAL STATUTES. THE UPPER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK CAN DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS DUE TO EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO VERY HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. FUEL VAPOR OR LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AT THESE CRACKS.
- Consequence
- IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, THROUGH MARCH 31, 2002. THIS COVERAGE WILL ONLY BE FOR STRUCTURAL CRACKS AT THE TOP OF THE TANK AND WILL NOT INCLUDE OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY AN ACCIDENT OR ROAD DEBRIS.
FORD/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
- Summary
- THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
- Consequence
- THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
STRUCTURE:HATCHBACK HYDRAULIC CYLINDER:TRUNK CYLIN
- Summary
- SOME LIFTGATE GAS CYLINDER-TO-BODY ATTACHMENT BALL STUDS MAY FRACTURE IN EITHER THE OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION.
- Consequence
- IF A BALL STUD FRACTURES, THE LIFTGATE WILL NOT REMAIN INTHE OPEN POSITION. BODILY INJURY COULD RESULT IF THE LIFTGATE DROPS WHILESOMEONE IS UNDER IT.
- Remedy
- REPLACE THE GAS CYLINDER-TO-BODY ATTACHMENT BALL STUDS.
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.
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 (177)
177 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The fuel system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 177 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 53 | 29.9% |
| Electrical system | 46 | 26% |
| Seat belts | 28 | 15.8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 7.3% |
| Power train | 13 | 7.3% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 4% |
| Structure | 7 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 3.4% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | 2.8% |
| Steering | 5 | 2.8% |
How 1988 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 17 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,950
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 523 g/mi
- EPA class
- Vans
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 17 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1988 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
1988 Ford Aerostar FAQ
How many recalls does the 1988 Ford Aerostar have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 98V190000 (fuel system), 96V071000 (electrical), 91V136000 (structure), 88V091000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1988 Ford Aerostar problems?
Owners filed 177 complaints with NHTSA. Fuel system (53), Electrical system (46), Seat belts (28) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1988 Ford Aerostar get?
EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 15 city, 20 highway and 17 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1988 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 1988 drew 177. 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.