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1994 Ford Aerostar

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1994 Ford Aerostar do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 135.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 15 of 257 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 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports27 fire reports23 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

22 reports
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100,000 miles · Feb 1, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire

DT: THE CONTACT STATED 1994, FORD VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE FREEWAY ON 8-8-05. SHE WAS NOT HAVING PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE SEEMED TO BE ELECTRICAL AND ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD. *AK *JB UPDATED 2/7/2006 - THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 97V204000 ON NOV 13, 1997 FOR THE TRANSFER CASE/DRIVESHAFT BUT THE DEALER REFUSED…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED 1994, FORD VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE FREEWAY ON 8-8-05. SHE WAS NOT HAVING PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE SEEMED TO BE ELECTRICAL AND ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD. *AK *JB UPDATED 2/7/2006 - THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 97V204000 ON NOV 13, 1997 FOR THE TRANSFER CASE/DRIVESHAFT BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. THIS FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM NHTSA ON TWO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. ONE WAS 99V028000 FOR THE ELECTRICAL WIRING UNDER THE HOOD AND THE OTHER ONE WAS 99V029000 FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10132510

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH LOSS OF COOLANT AND OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED OF A HEAD GASKET FAILURE. VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S EXTENDED WARRANTY. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #889015

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOOSE POWER AND THEN CEASED TO FUNCTION ALTOGETHER, VEHICLE WAS TOWED INTO DEARLERSHIP AND CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRACKED AND THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS GETTING INTO THE ENGINE, CONSUMER PURCHASED A REBUILT ENGINE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #560922

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower TrainFireInjury

MY CLIENTS, THE FREDERICK FAMILY (FATHER, MOTHER AND 3-YR-OLD DAUGHTER) SUSTAINED THIRD DEGREE BURNS WHEN THEIR 1994 FORD AEROSTAR VAN SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE TRAVELLING ON I-40 NEAR NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA. FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF THE TRANSFER CASE OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING DISPLACEMENT, THEREBY FAILING THE DRIVE SHAFT WHICH STR…

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MY CLIENTS, THE FREDERICK FAMILY (FATHER, MOTHER AND 3-YR-OLD DAUGHTER) SUSTAINED THIRD DEGREE BURNS WHEN THEIR 1994 FORD AEROSTAR VAN SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE TRAVELLING ON I-40 NEAR NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA. FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF THE TRANSFER CASE OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING DISPLACEMENT, THEREBY FAILING THE DRIVE SHAFT WHICH STRUCK THE PAVEMENT, THEN RICHOCHETED INTO THE FUEL TANK AND PIERCED THE TANK, ALLOWING RAW FUEL TO ESCAPE AND IGNITE, PROBABLY FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR SPARKS FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT STRIKING THE PAVEMENT. THIS CASE IS IN LITIGATION IN UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, BEING CASE NO. CV-S-00-0444-KTD-RLH. PETER CHASE NEUMANN, ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFFS, 136 RIDGE STREET, RENO, NV 89501. 775-786-3750.

NHTSA ODI #744382

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

REMINGTON TIRES (P205/75R14) WERE REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #558844

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TRANSFER CASE PROBLEMS BEGAN WHEN FLUID WAS LEAKING. TOOK TO MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE GASKETS. ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, AND WAS REBUILT BY DIFFERENT MECHANIC. FLUID CONTINUED TO LEAK, GASKETS WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. FLUID SPEWED DURING DRIVING, WHICH MECHANIC SAID WAS DUE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER B…

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TRANSFER CASE PROBLEMS BEGAN WHEN FLUID WAS LEAKING. TOOK TO MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE GASKETS. ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, AND WAS REBUILT BY DIFFERENT MECHANIC. FLUID CONTINUED TO LEAK, GASKETS WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. FLUID SPEWED DURING DRIVING, WHICH MECHANIC SAID WAS DUE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER BLOWING HOT AIR ON TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSING ITS RELEASE. REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. FLUID STILL CONTINUED TO SPEW, ALL OVER THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DRIVEN 120 MILES, A QT. OF TRANSMISSION FLUID ADDED, AND BACK 120 MILES, WITH ANOTHER QT. ADDED. MECHANIC TAKES TRANSFER CASE APART, FINDING THE BEARINGS WORN TO A NON-ROUND SHAPE, AND THE SHAFT END WORN DOWN. CHECKED FOR RECALL, AND THERE IS ONE, 99V094000 BUT FORD SAYS OUR VAN DOESN'T FALL INTO THIS RECALL AND REFUSES TO HELP.

NHTSA ODI #725657

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE FAILURE AS A RESULT OF A DEFECT OR LEAK IN THE TIMING CASE GASKET OF THIS VEHICLE. WE FEEL THIS LEAK DIRECTLY RESULTED IN THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE WHICH WE NOW HAVE TO REPLACE AT GREAT EXPENSE. AFTER CONTACTING FORD, THE MANUFACTURER OF OUR MINIVAN, WE FI…

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WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE FAILURE AS A RESULT OF A DEFECT OR LEAK IN THE TIMING CASE GASKET OF THIS VEHICLE. WE FEEL THIS LEAK DIRECTLY RESULTED IN THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE WHICH WE NOW HAVE TO REPLACE AT GREAT EXPENSE. AFTER CONTACTING FORD, THE MANUFACTURER OF OUR MINIVAN, WE FIND THAT WE HAVE NO RECOURSE IN THIS MATTER OTHER THAN TO CONTACT YOU AND MAKE IT PART OF YOUR RECORDS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OUR VEHICLE. WE WOULD APPRECIATE HEARING FROM YOU AS TO WHETHER OR NOT ANY OTHER REPORTS SIMILAR TO OURS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH REGARD TO THE L994 FORD AEROSTAR 2WD, 3.0L VEHICLE. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #721100

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ENGINE HAD STARTED TO OVERHEAT. HAD HEARD A TICKING NOISE PRIOR TO VEHICLE SHUTTING DOWN. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC ENGINE LOST COMPRESSOR PART & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #847138

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATES, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM, ALSO AT ANY RATE OF SPEED VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #843903

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE BEEN EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE OVERHEATING. VEHICLE BEEN HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR REPAIRES ON 11 OCCASIONS, AND NOTHING APPEARED TO WORK. CAN NHTSA HELP OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #841800

Official recalls

3

99V028000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Feb 9, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. HEAT GENERATION IN THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE FUEL PUMP/SENDER ASSEMBLY CAN CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE VEHICLE COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF POWER AND BECOME IMMOBILIZED AND THE FUEL GAUGE MAY BE ERRATIC.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: HEAT DAMAGE, INCLUDING MELTING OR CHARRING OF THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDER ASSEMBLY WIRE HARNESS AND ASSOCIATED WIRING HARNESSES CAN ALSO RESULT. THE SHORT CIRCUIT COULD ALSO HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS IN THE FUEL PUMP GROUND CIRCUIT THAT WILL BE INSTALLED AT THE FUEL PUMP INERTIA SHUT-OFF SWITCH.

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.

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

EA98016 · Fuel Sender Assembly Fires

Opened Jul 14, 1998 · Closed Feb 12, 1999

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

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE98010 · Fuel Sender Assembly Fires

Opened Feb 13, 1998 · Closed Jul 14, 1998

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

OWNERS ALLEGE THAT FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP/SENDER CONNECTOR RESULTS IN SHORT CIRCUIT THAT HAS RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRES.SYMPTOMS INCLUDE ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION, , SMOKE FROM THE DASH ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE STEERING COLUMN (FUEL PUMP FUSIBLE LINK) AND PASSENGER SIDE (FUEL PUMP INERTIA CUTOFF SWITCH), INTERMITTENT STALL AND NO START CONCERNS, AND A BURNING ODOR. SEVERAL INCIDENTS HAVE RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO PLASTIC FUEL TUBES AND/OR FUEL SUPPLY/RETURN TUBES.