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: 2 of 223 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 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. 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.
23 crash reports68 fire reports14 injury reports
What owners actually said
223 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 1998
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET ON 70 MPH WHEN UNEXPECTEDLY A VEHICLE JUMPED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER WHO THAN WENT TO APPLY BRAKES, BUT CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. TRIED PUSHNG OFF BUTTON, STILL DID NOT DISENGAGE ,CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL TO THE SIDE ONTO MEDIAN WHERE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. DEALER C…
Read full complaint
CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET ON 70 MPH WHEN UNEXPECTEDLY A VEHICLE JUMPED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER WHO THAN WENT TO APPLY BRAKES, BUT CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. TRIED PUSHNG OFF BUTTON, STILL DID NOT DISENGAGE ,CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL TO THE SIDE ONTO MEDIAN WHERE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE WHY CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DEACTIVATE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #822607
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 1998
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVESHAFT BROKE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #822315
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 1998
Electrical System
THE KEY DOES NOT LINE UP CORRECTLY IN THE IGNITION WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE ORIGINAL SWITCH BURNED IN AUGUST OF 96 AND WAS REPLACED. THIS TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. (96V-071). *AK
NHTSA ODI #821656
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 1998
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic
ELECTRICAL FIRE DUE TO WIRING IN THE DASH.
NHTSA ODI #531305
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 1998
Seats
TORK BOLT IN DRIVERS SEAT BROKE, CAUSING SEAT TO COLLAPSE.
NHTSA ODI #530061
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 1998
Electrical SystemFire
MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #820009
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 1998
Electrical System
NO INTERLOCK SYSTEM, ALLOWING KEY TO RELEASE.
NHTSA ODI #528705
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 1998
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED SEVERAL TIMES, RECALLS ON OTHER MODELS HOWEVER CONSUMERS VEHICLE DOES NOT MEET REQUIREMENTS FOR RECALL REPAIRS.
NHTSA ODI #528366
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline
DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK CAUSING LEAKAGE OF FUEL.
NHTSA ODI #528331
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 1997
SteeringFire
WHILE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BY THE OWNER'S WIFE THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. ACCORDING TO OWNER, THE FIRE STARTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN, COSTING THE LIFE OF THE DRIVER AT THE TIME. *AK
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.
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.
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
2
EA99002 · Transfer Cases And Rear Drive Shaft
Opened Jan 7, 1999 · Closed Nov 14, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
RQ97015 · Parking Pawl
Opened Oct 29, 1997 · Closed Apr 1, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission
WHEN THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARKING PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OF GEAR UNINTENTIONALLY AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO START ROLLING INADVERTENTLY
1991 Ford Aerostar Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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