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: 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
What owners actually said
257 reports
Mileage unknown · May 13, 1999
Exterior LightingFire
DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHT HEAT LOAD CAUSED SHORTING AT THE MULTIFUNCTION RELAY ASSEMBLEY LIGHTS SHORTED OUT AND CAR FILLED WITH DENSE SMOKE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AT NIGHT WITHOUT LIGHTS. EMEGENCY REPAIRS HAD TO BE MADE BEFORE CAR COULD BE MOVED TO SAVE LOCATION. TEMPORAY REPAIRS WER…
Read full complaint
DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHT HEAT LOAD CAUSED SHORTING AT THE MULTIFUNCTION RELAY ASSEMBLEY LIGHTS SHORTED OUT AND CAR FILLED WITH DENSE SMOKE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AT NIGHT WITHOUT LIGHTS. EMEGENCY REPAIRS HAD TO BE MADE BEFORE CAR COULD BE MOVED TO SAVE LOCATION. TEMPORAY REPAIRS WERE THAN MADE TO ELIMINATE THE SHORT WERE THE WIRES ENTER THE MULTIFUNCTION RELAY (REQUIRED DISSASEMBLY OF STEERING COLUMN SHROUD). CHARRING OF THE WIRING ASSEMBLY RESULTED IN INADERQUATE INSULATION BETWEEN CIRCUITS CAUSING INSTRUMENT, WIPER AND HEAD LIGHT FAILURE. WORK DONE INVOLVING SAFETY RECALL99S02 HAS REACTIVATED THE SHORT LEAVING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT BABBIT FORD PO BOX BB FLAGSTAFF 86002 (520) 774-5063 PENDING RESOLUTION OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #706490
Mileage unknown · May 13, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
THERE ARE 4 BOLTS HOLDING THE FAN ONTO THE WATER PUMP. ONE FELL OUT AND DESTROYED THE SERPENTINE BELT, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL ACCESSORY FUNCTIONS. ANOTHER BOLT LACKED A LOCK WASHER (THE CULPRIT MAY HAVE, TOO.) *AK
NHTSA ODI #706467
Mileage unknown · May 12, 1999
Electrical System
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH (RECALL 99V-029) PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE RESULTING IN BURNING DAMAGE TO THE WIRING HARNESS. MJS
NHTSA ODI #545577
Mileage unknown · May 10, 1999
Air BagsElectrical System
AFTER VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 99V029000, IGNITION SWITCH, THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON . THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #837677
Mileage unknown · May 5, 1999
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 99V029000, CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH SHORT. AFTER DEALER PERFORMED THE WORK. CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. CONUSMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. DEALER CHARGED CONSUMER FOR WORK PERFORMED THE SECOND TIME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #837469
Mileage unknown · May 4, 1999
Air Bags
THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING, INDICATING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WHICH MAY NOT WORK PROPERLY IN A CRASH OR UPON DEPLOYING UNEXPECTEDLY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #837432
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, AND VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #837221
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 1999
Electrical System
CONSUMER CLAIMS PRIOR TO RECEIVING A RECALL LETTER ON FOR IGNITION SWITCH THE VEHICLE RAN FINE. AFTER TAKING IT IN TO BE CHANGED VEHICLE WON'T START UP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836867
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 1999
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility
WHILE VEHICLE AT DEALER BEING REPAIRED FOR RECALLED COMPONENT MECHANIC POSSIBLY BAMAGED OTHER COMPONENTS CAUSING THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL NOT TO WORK. (RECALL 99V029000) NLM
NHTSA ODI #545087
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 1999
StructureFire
WATER GETS IN UNDERNTEATH THE FLOORING ONTO CARPET. CARPET BECOMES SOAKING WET. THIS HAPPENS WHEN ITS RAINING. *AK
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.
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.
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.
1994 Ford Aerostar Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration