Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1997 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/ACCELERATOR CABLE
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES. AN ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS KINKED DURING INSTALLATION, CAUSING THE CORE WIRES TO EVENTUALLY FRAY.
- 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.
FORD/IGNITION SWITCH ELECTRICAL SHORT
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
FORD/TRANSFER CASE/DRIVESHAFT
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
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 (63)
63 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 63 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 13 | 20.6% |
| Power train | 9 | 14.3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 14.3% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 11.1% |
| Wheels | 7 | 11.1% |
| Air bags | 4 | 6.3% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 6.3% |
| Suspension | 4 | 6.3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 4.8% |
| Tires | 3 | 4.8% |
How 1997 compares with other Aerostar years
Best and worst Aerostar years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 223 | 3 |
| 1992 | 317 | 3 |
| 1993 | 374 | 2 |
| 1994 | 257 | 3 |
| 1995 | 157 | 5 |
| 1996 | 104 | 4 |
| 1997 | 63 | 3 |
| 1998 | 4 | 0 |
| 1999 | 7 | 0 |
| 2000 | 6 | 0 |
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 / 22 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 15 | $4,450 | 593 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1997 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
1997 Ford Aerostar FAQ
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Aerostar have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 00V425000 (vehicle speed control), 99V029000 (electrical), 97V204000 (wheel). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1997 Ford Aerostar problems?
Owners filed 63 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (13), Power train (9), Vehicle speed control (9) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1997 Ford Aerostar get?
EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 15 city, 22 highway and 17 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1997 Aerostar compare with other years?
Among the 1991–2000 Ford Aerostar model years at least five years old, the 1998 drew the fewest complaints (4) and the 1993 the most (374). The 1997 drew 63. 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.