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1989 Ford Aerostar

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1989 Ford Aerostar do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 135.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 6 of 260 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 91 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports79 fire reports14 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

12 reports
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102,371 miles · Nov 3, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT BACK IN 1998 SHE HAD A ACCIDENT WITH HER FORD AEROSTAR. SHE STATED THAT WHEN SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND HIT THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND HIT A BUILDING. SHE SAID SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY IDLE AIR CONTROL. SHE S…

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THE CONSUMER STATED THAT BACK IN 1998 SHE HAD A ACCIDENT WITH HER FORD AEROSTAR. SHE STATED THAT WHEN SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND HIT THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND HIT A BUILDING. SHE SAID SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY IDLE AIR CONTROL. SHE SAID IT WAS REPAIRED AND SHE TOOK THE PART AND SENT IT TO THE MANUFACTURER. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS COME UP AGAIN AND SHE WAS ASKED TO BE A WITNESS, BECAUSE SOMEONE WAS KILLED, WHEN THEIR VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING. *JB IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE AIR BY PASS VALVE ASSEMBLY WAS NOT ONE OF FORD'S PARTS.

NHTSA ODI #10097085

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2002
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

CONSUMER STATES ENGINE WAS ON AND IN THE PARK POSITION, CONSUMER PRESSED BRAKE TO PUT VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF IN REVERSE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HIT TWO PARKED CARS AND WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

NHTSA ODI #8013265

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

TODAY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 1989 AEROSTAR AND SHE HAD THE ACCELERATOR GO DOWN UNDER HER FOOT BY IT'S SELF FOR NO PERCIEVED REASON. SO I STARTED TO LOOK ON INTERNET TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM. DEALER CLAIMS NEVER HEARD OF IT! IT SEEMS LIKE I REMEMBERED WATCHING 20/20 OR THAT CANADIAN PROGRAM AND THEY REPORTING ABOUT…

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TODAY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 1989 AEROSTAR AND SHE HAD THE ACCELERATOR GO DOWN UNDER HER FOOT BY IT'S SELF FOR NO PERCIEVED REASON. SO I STARTED TO LOOK ON INTERNET TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM. DEALER CLAIMS NEVER HEARD OF IT! IT SEEMS LIKE I REMEMBERED WATCHING 20/20 OR THAT CANADIAN PROGRAM AND THEY REPORTING ABOUT FORD CRUISE CONTROLS HAVING POWER ON AT ALL TIME AND THAT MOISTER PRESENT AT WIRE HARNESS PLUG THAT CONNECTS THOUGH FIRE WALL COULD CAUSE CRUISE CONTROL TO SUDDEN ACCELLERATE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #763240

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2000
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHEN MAING A LEFT TURN WIRING HARNESS WRAPPED AROUND THE BOTTOM OF ACCELERATOR CABLE, CAUSING A FULL THROTTLE CONDITION. THIS CAUSED A CRASH ON 2/27/00. VAN WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #871140

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrash

HAD SHIFTED INTO DRIVE & TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE,VEHICLE WENT FULL THROTTLE IN PARKING LOT. HIT PILLAR. HAD FAILED TO STOP WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK THE PROBLEM OCCURED AGAIN BUT THE DEALER SAYS THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #844032

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 1999
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

CAR ACCELERATED FROM 0 TO 60/70 MPH WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK POSITION TO DRIVE POSITION, OVERRIDING ACEELERATOR AND BRAKE SYSTEM, CRUSHING AND DESTROYING EVERYTHING THAT WAS IN FRONT OF IT.NUMBER OF PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED AND OTHER PROPERTIES COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. HAV NOT SEEN OR WITNESSED ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN MY 55 …

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CAR ACCELERATED FROM 0 TO 60/70 MPH WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK POSITION TO DRIVE POSITION, OVERRIDING ACEELERATOR AND BRAKE SYSTEM, CRUSHING AND DESTROYING EVERYTHING THAT WAS IN FRONT OF IT.NUMBER OF PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED AND OTHER PROPERTIES COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. HAV NOT SEEN OR WITNESSED ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN MY 55 YEARS LIFE SPAN. IT WAS MOST TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER GONE THROUGH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #708260

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 1998
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER REPORTING AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE ACCELERATION INTERMITTENTLY APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS. PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPAIRS/INSPECTION WAS MADE CONTINUALLY, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER RESOLVED. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND CAN SMELL SOMETHING LIKE WIRES…

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CONSUMER REPORTING AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE ACCELERATION INTERMITTENTLY APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS. PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPAIRS/INSPECTION WAS MADE CONTINUALLY, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER RESOLVED. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND CAN SMELL SOMETHING LIKE WIRES BURNING, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RADIO, FAN BLOWER, AND DASH LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF, AT TIMES THE RADIO WILL NOT WORK AT ALL, BATTERY FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, LOW OIL SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL BRAKE PROBLEMS, BRAKES PULSATE, MASTER CYLINDER LEAK, PROPORTIONING VALVE LEAK, BRAKES GRAB, AND WERE NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL ENGINE RELATED PROBLEMS, CONSUMER STATES THE ENGINE WAS NOISY, OIL WAS LEAKING FROM BOTH SIDES OF ENGINE, THE THERMOSTAT, GASKET SEAL, MAIN SEAL, REAR MAIN SEAL, PAN GASKET, BELTS, AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE LEFT DOOR CORRODED AND RUSTED. FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED, EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS REPLACED, IAC AND THROTTLE BODY WERE REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES SHE WOULD HAVE TO CONSTANTLY KEEP FOOT ON BRAKE DUE TO HIGH RPMS AND LOUD WHINING, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE SUDDENLY IF FOOT WERE OFF THE BRAKE, THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE BRAKES WERE NOT STOPPING VEHICLE. RIGHT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO WOBBLE, FRONT BEARING NEEDED PACKED, RIGHT REAR AXLE WAS LOOSE. DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER ASSEMBLY WAS OUT, CAUSING A LOUD TICKING AND THUD NOISE. AIR CONDITIONER WAS BLOWING HOT AIR, THE HEATER MODE SELECTOR IS SLOW TO RETURN FROM THE VENT WHEN CHANGED. OUTER TIE ROD ENDS NEEDED REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #832189

Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 1998
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH THROTTLE STUCK, CAUSING ENGINE REV HIGH, EVEN WHEN FOOT WAS TAKEN OFF GAS PEDAL.VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALERS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #821464

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 1997
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE STARTING VEHICLE AND PUTTING IT INTO GEAR, VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF, CAUSING OWNER TO STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE. VEHICLE ALSO SURGED. DEALERS STATED POSSIBLE ELECTRIC CHIP FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #818875

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 1997
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

AFTER HAVING THE RECALL REPAIR WORK DONE ON IGNTION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN DO NOT WORK. RECALL #96V071000. *AK

NHTSA ODI #807083

Official recalls

5

98V190000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Aug 11, 1998

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 & remedy

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.

96V071000 · Electrical System:ignition

Apr 25, 1996

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

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.

91V189000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Nov 4, 1991

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 & remedy

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.

91V164000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Sep 20, 1991

SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BAR FOR REAR SOFA FAILED TO SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210.

Remedy: REPLACE NONCOMPLYING SOFA BAR WITH BAR THAT MEETS REQUIREMENTS.

90V144000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner

Aug 6, 1990

THE SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SEAT ASSEMBLY HAS A TILT FORWARD FUNCTION. A LATCH RETAINS THE SEAT IN THE NORMAL RIDE POSTION, AND THIS LATCH MAY RELEASE UNDER SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT CONDITIONS, ALLOWING THE SEAT TO PIVOT FORWARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT COULD PIVOTFORWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.

Remedy: REPLACE SEAT PAWL ASSEMBLY WITH A REVISED DESIGN ASSEMBLY.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

9

EA96030 · Cracked Fuel Tanks

Opened Dec 20, 1996 · Closed Aug 13, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

CRACKED FUEL TANKS ARE LEAKING FUEL

PE96050 · Cracked Fuel Tanks

Opened Aug 6, 1996 · Closed Dec 20, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

CRACKED FUEL TANKS ARE LEAKING FUEL

EA94025 · Seat Belt Buckle Failure

Opened Jul 19, 1994 · Closed Sep 30, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

There is no summary currently available

PE94021 · Seat Belt Buckle Failure

Opened Mar 4, 1994 · Closed Jul 19, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

There is no summary currently available

PE91127 · Park Pawl Bending

Opened Sep 16, 1991 · Closed Nov 8, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:automatic Transmission

There is no summary currently available

Power Train:automatic Transmission

There is no summary currently available

EA91015 · Liftgate Failure

Opened Feb 1, 1991 · Closed Sep 20, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

PE91005 · Liftgate Failure

Opened Oct 18, 1990 · Closed Feb 1, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

EA90042 · Throttle Sticking

Opened Aug 31, 1990 · Closed Dec 31, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE89092 · Power Steering Locking

Opened Feb 23, 1989 · Closed Jul 20, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

SUMMARY:THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT POWER STEERING WAS STIFF ORSTEERING LOCKED.FORD HAS ISSUED TWO SERVICE BULLETINS:ONE ON LEAKINGSEALS AND ONE ON COMPLAINTS OF STIFF STEERING.===