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

1991 Ford Aerostar: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1991 Ford Aerostar, most recently filed April 1996. Owners have filed 223 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1991 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 ↗
Listed for 1991 Ford Aerostar. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 96V071000 Filed Apr 25, 1996

FORD/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Electrical system · ignition
Official NHTSA text
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.
Repair progress not yet reported7,900,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 96V071000
Listed for 1991 Ford Aerostar. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 91V189000 Filed Nov 4, 1991

POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC

Power train · automatic transmission
Official NHTSA text
Summary
WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.
Consequence
DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OFGEAR UNINTENTIONALLY, VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHEN PARKED ON A SLOPED SURFACE, ANDINADVERTENT MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS CANRESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.
Repair progress not yet reported792,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 91V189000
Listed for 1991 Ford Aerostar. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 91V164000 Filed Sep 20, 1991

INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE SEAT AND SHOULDER BELTS AN

Seat belts · front · anchorage
Official NHTSA text
Summary
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BAR FOR REAR SOFA FAILED TO SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210.
Consequence
VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210.
Remedy
REPLACE NONCOMPLYING SOFA BAR WITH BAR THAT MEETS REQUIREMENTS.
Repair progress not yet reported4,842 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 91V164000

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 (223)

223 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

23involved a crash
70involved a fire
25injuries reported
1deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 Ford Aerostar, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 223.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1991 compares with other Aerostar years

Best and worst Aerostar years →
1987198819891990199119921993199419951996
This year (1991)Other yearsStill collecting reports

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 18 mpg combined

18
mpg combined
16
city
22
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,700
CO₂ tailpipe
494 g/mi
EPA class
Vans

What it costs you to run

$3,628per year
$302per month
833gallons a year

Miles ÷ 18 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

1991 Ford Aerostar configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18$3,700494
3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17$3,950523
4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 16$4,200555
4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16$4,200555

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1991 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.

All Aerostar years

Where to next

1991 Ford Aerostar FAQ

How many recalls does the 1991 Ford Aerostar have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 96V071000 (electrical), 91V189000 (power train), 91V164000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1991 Ford Aerostar problems?

Owners filed 223 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (67), Power train (49), Service brakes (31) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1991 Ford Aerostar get?

EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 16 city, 22 highway and 18 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1991 Aerostar compare with other years?

Among the 1987–1996 Ford Aerostar model years at least five years old, the 1996 drew the fewest complaints (104) and the 1993 the most (374). The 1991 drew 223. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

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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