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1997 Ford Aerostar

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Ford Aerostar do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 135.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 11 of 63 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 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

63 reports
160,000 miles · Oct 9, 2020
Electrical System

I FOUND TWO INCOMPLETE RECALLS. I CALLED THE DEALER 9/28/2020 AT [XXX] AND SPOKE TO [XXX]. SHE PUT THE VIN IN HER SYSTEM, SAW THE TWO RECALLS AND SAID THE PARTS WOULD BE ORDERED. NO RESPONSE. I CALL [XXX] 10/5/2020 AT THE SAME NUMBER AND SHE SAID ABOUT THE SAME THING. THEN I CALLED 10/8/2020 AND ANOTHER SERVICE ADVISOR PRINTED O…

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I FOUND TWO INCOMPLETE RECALLS. I CALLED THE DEALER 9/28/2020 AT [XXX] AND SPOKE TO [XXX]. SHE PUT THE VIN IN HER SYSTEM, SAW THE TWO RECALLS AND SAID THE PARTS WOULD BE ORDERED. NO RESPONSE. I CALL [XXX] 10/5/2020 AT THE SAME NUMBER AND SHE SAID ABOUT THE SAME THING. THEN I CALLED 10/8/2020 AND ANOTHER SERVICE ADVISOR PRINTED OUT THE ISSUE WITH MY PHONE NUMBER [XXX] AND SAID [XXX] WOULD CALL ME AFTER LUNCH. NO RESPONSE. I TRIED CALLING THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE 800 392-3673 AND AFTER PRESSING '#' FOR TWO COMMERCIALS, THE RECORDER HUNG UP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE, BUT THESE ARE TWO RECALLS THAT ARE CONCERNS. (00S56 & 99S02). THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [XXX]AUGUSTA, GA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11363588

100,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
EngineWheels

I WAS GIVEN THIS VAN WITH A HANDICAPPED LIFT AS A PRESENT FROM SOME PEOPLE AT OUR CHURCH. EVER SINCE I GOT IT THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON. I'VE HAD IT CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. ANOTHER PROBLEM I'VE BEEN HAVING IS THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WEARS OUT MORE QUICKLY THAN THE OTHER THREE. WE'VE …

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I WAS GIVEN THIS VAN WITH A HANDICAPPED LIFT AS A PRESENT FROM SOME PEOPLE AT OUR CHURCH. EVER SINCE I GOT IT THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON. I'VE HAD IT CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. ANOTHER PROBLEM I'VE BEEN HAVING IS THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WEARS OUT MORE QUICKLY THAN THE OTHER THREE. WE'VE HAD IT BALANCED SEVERAL TIMES BUT WE STILL HAVE THAT PROBLEM EVEN WITH NEW TIRES. SINCE I AM HANDICAPPED AND USE AN ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR IF A TIRE BLOWS OUT I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT USING THE RAMP LIFT THAT WAS INSTALLED AND THE SAME APPLIES TO THE ENGINE. HOW DO I KNOW IF THE ENGINE HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT IF THE LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659389

48,000 miles · Aug 19, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

NOTE: I WISH I HAD FOUND THIS SITE YEARS AGO. I COULD NOT GET PAST FORDS "BRICK WALL" TO SPEAK TO AN ENGINEER! 1. 1997 AEROSTAR - ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED DOWN QUICKLY TO PASS (2 LANE HIGHWAY). 2. NOW IN THE LEFT LANE, NOT FAR AHEAD OF PASSED THE CAR - I EXPERRIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER - HARD RIGHT OVER TO SOF…

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NOTE: I WISH I HAD FOUND THIS SITE YEARS AGO. I COULD NOT GET PAST FORDS "BRICK WALL" TO SPEAK TO AN ENGINEER! 1. 1997 AEROSTAR - ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED DOWN QUICKLY TO PASS (2 LANE HIGHWAY). 2. NOW IN THE LEFT LANE, NOT FAR AHEAD OF PASSED THE CAR - I EXPERRIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER - HARD RIGHT OVER TO SOFT SHOULDER - AVOIDED AN ONCOMING HEAD ON COLLISION - L JUST MISSED THE CAR BEING PASSED BY INCHES AND STOPPED. THE CRIMPED END OF CABLE TO THE CARBURATOR HAD RELEASED FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. 3. I CLAMPED THE CABLE BACK ONTO THE PEDAL WITH VICE GRIPS. (DROVE TO DEALER). FORD REPLACED THE CABLE. THAT PROBLEM HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN. (I DO NOT PRESS DOWN HARD EITHER!) *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350538

180,000 miles · Jun 26, 2009
Wheels

OBSERVED FULL CRACK ON ALUMINUM WHEEL RIM SPOKE. THIS IS STANDARD ALUMINUM WHEEL FROM MANUFACTURER. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM SAME AS HTTP://WWW.MOTORBEAT.COM/COMPLAINT/438440/. *TR THIS IS THE SECOND RIM THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. ANOTHER RIM FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER ONE YEAR AGO. REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10275026

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2008
Electrical SystemPower Train

NEED TO KNOW WERE TO START TO GET ALL THE PROBLEMS ON MY VAN TAKEN CARE OF ALL THE RECALLS, OF POWER TRAIN THE ELECTRICAL AND WHATEVER ELSE WAS REPORTED TO ME ON MY REPORT OF THE RECALLS ON THIS 1997 AREOSTAR VAN THANK YOU MARYJEAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10222447

99,000 miles · Jul 26, 2005
Latches/locks/linkagesInjury

1997 AEROSTAR REAR HATCH: 1 OF 2 ANCHOR STUDS WHICH SUPPORT THE TAIL HATCH PNEUMATIC SPRING (VEHICLE BODY END) BROKE, ALLOWING THE HATCH TO IMMEDIATELY FALL ON TO OPERATOR. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE 2 PNEUMATIC SUPPORTS, 1 IS INSUFFCIENT TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE HATCH. SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WITH 1994 MODEL.

NHTSA ODI #10130062

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2005
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineFire

MY 1997 FORD AERO STAR VAN PRODUCED A PUFF OF SMOKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE IGNITION SWITCH. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHOM CHECKED THE RECALL NOTICES AND FOUND ONE RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD SHORT CIRCUIT AND OVERHEATING IN THE STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF IT SUBSIDES. SIN…

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MY 1997 FORD AERO STAR VAN PRODUCED A PUFF OF SMOKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE IGNITION SWITCH. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHOM CHECKED THE RECALL NOTICES AND FOUND ONE RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD SHORT CIRCUIT AND OVERHEATING IN THE STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF IT SUBSIDES. SINCE THIS OCCURRENCE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS NOT WORKED AND BLEW ALL FUSES, THE FUEL PUMP DOES NOT TURN ON WITH THE KEY AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS IT ENGAGES SOME TIMES. THE FORD DEALER DID THE RECALL WORK BUT DID NOT FIX OR EXAMINE THE STEERING COLUMN OR THE COMPONENTS THAT BURNED OR OVER HEATED AS A RESULT OF THE OVERLOAD. [XXX] UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10129732

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2004
Wheels

CONSUMER'S HUSBAND DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE RIMS HAD CRACKED IN THREE PLACES. *LA ANOTHER RIM WAS FOUND WITH CRACKS IN THREE PLACES AS WELL. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10074110

74,000 miles · Mar 23, 2004
Wheels

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TWO FRONT RIMS CRACKED. *AK CONSUMER CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND SAID THAT THEY WON'T ADDRESS THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT'S NOT ON WARRANTY OR RECALL. HOWEVER, CONSUMER REPLACED BOTH RIMS. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10059385

132,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

MY TRANSMISSION DEVELOPED A BAD LEAK IN THE FRONT SEAL. I PAID TO HAVE THE TRANSAXLE REMOVED AND THE SEAL REPLACED. THE FLUID WAS CHANGED AS WELL AS THE FILTER AND THEN SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE CARS OVERDRIVE STOPPED WORKING. IT WILL SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE BUT IT WILL SHIFT RIGHT BACK OUT WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS EVEN THE LEAST LITTLE…

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MY TRANSMISSION DEVELOPED A BAD LEAK IN THE FRONT SEAL. I PAID TO HAVE THE TRANSAXLE REMOVED AND THE SEAL REPLACED. THE FLUID WAS CHANGED AS WELL AS THE FILTER AND THEN SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE CARS OVERDRIVE STOPPED WORKING. IT WILL SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE BUT IT WILL SHIFT RIGHT BACK OUT WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS EVEN THE LEAST LITTLE BIT. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED SO I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS AND YESTERDAY I WAS DOING ABOUT 60 AND THE CAR SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR FOR NO REASON AND THEN RIGHT BACK INTO THRID. THEN ABOUT A HALF MILE LATER IT BEGAN SHIFTING FROM THIRD TO SECOND AND BACK OVER AND OVER. TALK ABOUT GETTING JERKED AROUND! IT WAS LIKE SOMEONE STEPPING ON THE BRAKES! NOW I AM ON FOOT AND I AM ON FOOT AND DUE TO OUR GREAT ECONOMY I AM OUT OF WORK FOR THE TIME BEING. THEY SHOULD OFFER A MANUAL TRANSMISSION ON ALL THEIR CARS.

NHTSA ODI #10070676

Official recalls

3

00V425000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Dec 26, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES. AN ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS KINKED DURING INSTALLATION, CAUSING THE CORE WIRES TO EVENTUALLY FRAY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD INCREASE THE FRICTION IN THE CABLE, CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO BE SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ACCELERATOR CABLE.

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

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

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