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1992 Ford Aerostar

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Aerostar years

Owner complaints for the 1992 Ford Aerostar are substantially higher than the model-year median of 135.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 12 of 317 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

29 crash reports30 fire reports19 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

64 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD AEROSTAR. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MUFFLER WAS RUSTED AND CRACKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE AND THE FUMES WOULD EXIT OUT OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FUMES WERE ENTERING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE HOLES. THE DEAL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD AEROSTAR. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MUFFLER WAS RUSTED AND CRACKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE AND THE FUMES WOULD EXIT OUT OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FUMES WERE ENTERING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE HOLES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY SEALED THE HOLES AND THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE MIDAS MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DEALER NEVER SEALED THE HOLES ON THE MUFFLER AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED COMPLETELY. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE FUMES COULD IN FACT GET INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ALSO, THE HORN HAS NEVER WORKED ON THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED; THEREFORE, THE DEALER CONSTRUCTED THEIR OWN HORN TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THE REAR LIFTGATE FELL ON THE CONTACT'S HEAD SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10239623

150,000 miles · Jul 13, 2007
Electrical SystemInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD AEROSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GROUND WIRES ARE SHORTING OUT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND OTHER WIRES UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. HE ALSO STATED THAT HIS WINDOWS ARE NOT WORKING. FORD STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD AEROSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GROUND WIRES ARE SHORTING OUT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND OTHER WIRES UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. HE ALSO STATED THAT HIS WINDOWS ARE NOT WORKING. FORD STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN BURNED BY THE FAILED WIRES. THE RECALL # WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 171,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10196275

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2002
Electrical System

CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN KEY TO SHUT OFF ENGINE. A PIN IN LINKAGE GOING TO THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD FALLEN OUT. CONSUMER REPAIRED HIMSELF.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8002549

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2002
Electrical System

RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V029000 WAS FOR IGNITION WIRING HARNESS. THE WIRING HARNESS IN MY VAN OVERHEAD, SHORTED OUT THE LIGHTS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT AND PUT OFF THE ODOR OF BURNING WIRES. I PAID TO HAVE IT REPLACED. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL AND FORD TELLS ME THAT MY VAN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IF I HAVE THE SAME PRO…

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RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V029000 WAS FOR IGNITION WIRING HARNESS. THE WIRING HARNESS IN MY VAN OVERHEAD, SHORTED OUT THE LIGHTS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT AND PUT OFF THE ODOR OF BURNING WIRES. I PAID TO HAVE IT REPLACED. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL AND FORD TELLS ME THAT MY VAN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IF I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED SHOULDN'T IT BE COVERED? OR MAYBE YOU NEED TO EXPAND THE CAMPAIGN.

NHTSA ODI #756953

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2001
Electrical SystemEquipmentTires

TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED WHILE STARTING TO MOVE AND PUTTING VEHICLE INTO GEAR, VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE ANYWHERE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO CHECK PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE RECALL THE IGNITION HAD BEEN LOOSE FOR 2 YEARS, AIR CONDITION HAS FAILED AND STILL NOT WORKING AND ALSO THE REAR…

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TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED WHILE STARTING TO MOVE AND PUTTING VEHICLE INTO GEAR, VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE ANYWHERE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO CHECK PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE RECALL THE IGNITION HAD BEEN LOOSE FOR 2 YEARS, AIR CONDITION HAS FAILED AND STILL NOT WORKING AND ALSO THE REAR WHEELS AND THE TIRE WERE WORN UNEVENLY.*YD

NHTSA ODI #899149

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2001
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF AROUND 4 PM. LATER THAT NIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY MIDNIGHT, A NEIGHBOR INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT INSPECTOR DETERMINED THAT FIRE STARTED IN ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS. NOTE: RECALL 99V029000 REPAIRS HAD BEEN PERFORMED PRIOR TO FIRE. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #891857

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2001
Electrical SystemFireInjury

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 99V-029 DUE TO DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED BURNS TO HIS FOREARM WHILE TRYING TO OBTAIN ITEMS FROM THE VEHICLE. NLM

NHTSA ODI #560052

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2000
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

INDICATOR DISPLAY IN DASH LOOKS MELTED. AIRBAG INDICATOR FLASHING AND RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ARE DIFICULT TO SEE. ODOMETER JUMPED FROM 80K TO OVER 130K; THERE IS NO METRIC/ENGLISH SWITCH.

NHTSA ODI #726060

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2000
Electrical SystemFireInjury

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED RECALL COMPONENT FAILURE (99V-029) IGNITION SWITCH , PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE, INJURY AND BURNS TO CONSUMER. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #553063

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 1999
Electrical System

AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE WORSENED. THE STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #848898

Official recalls

3

99V094000 · Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)

Apr 28, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER MINIVANS. (THIS INCLUDES ALL 1992 AWD AEROSTARS NOT PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN SAFETY RECALL 97V-204/97S83). 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 & remedy

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.

99V029000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Feb 9, 1999

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 & remedy

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.

97V204000 · Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)

Nov 13, 1997

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 & remedy

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.

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

5

PE02076 · Luggage Compartment Door Drops Abruptly

Opened Oct 10, 2002 · Closed Mar 10, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut

ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS RESULTING IN MINOR TO MODERATE PERSONAL INJURIES THAT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ABRUPT DOOR DROPS OVER THE APPROXIMATELY EIGHT - TWELVE YEAR PERIOD OF PRODUCT USAGE AND EXPOSURE (1991-1995 TO 2003).MOST OF THE INJURY INCIDENTS APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A FRACTURE OF THE GAS FILLED LIFT ASSIST CYLINDER MOUNTING STUD.STUD FRACTURES HAVE OCCURRED RANDOMLY OVER TIME AND DO NOT EXHIBIT ANY APPARENT TREND RELATING TO DATE OF VEHICLE PRODUCTION OR TIME-IN-SERVICE (EXPOSURE).THE ODI CLOSING REPORT SUMMARIZES THE DETAILS OF THIS INVESTIGATION.

PE99035 · Front Brake Hose

Opened May 12, 1999 · Closed Sep 23, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ALLEGED THAT A FRONT BRAKE HOSE RUPTURES OR FAILS AT THE INTERFACE BETWEEN THE RUBBER HOSE AND THE BRASS FITTING

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

RQ98012 · Transfer Cases And Rear Driveshaft

Opened Jul 31, 1998 · Closed Jan 7, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)

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