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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.

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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

Equipment complaints

18 reports
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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 · Sep 20, 1999
EquipmentFire

THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER POPPED OUT OF THE SOCKET AND CAUSED A FIRE WITHIN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. AUTO INSURANCE PAID FOR DAMAGES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #848004

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 1999
Equipment

BRAKES CORRODED DUE TO FREQUENT CONTAMINATION BY LEAKAGE FROM THE AIR-CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR COIL SYSTEM. FAILURE OF THE EVAPORATOR COIL SYSTEM RESULTED IN TWO VEHICLE COLLISON, WHEN BRAKES FAILED FROM CORROSION. *YC

NHTSA ODI #545137

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 1999
Electrical SystemEquipment

THE VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY RECALL 99V029. BUT IT ALSO HAS OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH SEEM TO BE RELATED TO THE RECALL, SUCH AS 4- WAY FLASHER IS INOPERATIVE/MALFUNCTIONING OF THE RADIO, CLOCK AND TAIL LIGHTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #836305

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 1998
Electrical SystemEquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicFire

WIRING HARNESS IGNITED BY SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION, RESULTING IN A FIRE/BRAKE ROTORS CONTINUOUSLY WARP, AND AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TWICE.

NHTSA ODI #781106

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 1998
Equipment

AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILURE HAS BEEN EXCESSIVE. HAVE USED FORD OEM NEW AND REMANUFACTURED COMPRESSORS WITH NO SUCCESS FOR ANY EXTENDED PERIOD. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THIS SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #540599

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 1998
Equipment

A/C HOSES AND COMPRESSOR FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #540414

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 1998
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFire

DRIVER'S POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, TRANSMISSION FAILED/ABS LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON/MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT/AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR FAILED/TIE RODS REPLACED/TAIL LIGHTS REPEATED LY REPLACED/IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING A FIRE/REPEATED ENGINE OIL LEAKS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACE…

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DRIVER'S POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, TRANSMISSION FAILED/ABS LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON/MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT/AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR FAILED/TIE RODS REPLACED/TAIL LIGHTS REPEATED LY REPLACED/IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING A FIRE/REPEATED ENGINE OIL LEAKS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #533725

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 1998
Equipment

CABLE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE BROKE.

NHTSA ODI #528457

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 1997
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR MALFUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, NOISY ABS BRAKES/DEFECTIVE FRONT/REAR CV JOINTS/PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS/ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED/LOWER BALL JOINT NOISE/ RADIATOR HOSE FAILURE AND PREMATURE DISTRIBUTOR/CAP/ROTOR WEAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #523850

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