IllustrationNEED 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
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
Compare all Aerostar years →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
Power Train complaints
9 reportsMY 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.
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL # 97 V 204 000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB
VEHICLE WILL NOT RUN PROPERLY DUE TO THE TRANSFER CASE BEING DEFECTIVE. THERE IS A LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER NOTED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *YH
FORD RECOMMENDS INCORRECT ADJUSTMENT OF REAR BRAKES, WHICH CAUSES OVERHEATING OF DRUMS AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF AXLE SEALS, AXLE BEARINGS, AND TIRE ON THE RIM ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE DRUM. FORD STIPULATES THAT BRAKE SHOES ARE TO BE TOUCHING DRUM WHEN BRAKES ARE ADJUSTED. THIS RESULTS IN FRICTIONAL HEAT BUILD-UP, AND IS LIKELY TO …
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FORD RECOMMENDS INCORRECT ADJUSTMENT OF REAR BRAKES, WHICH CAUSES OVERHEATING OF DRUMS AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF AXLE SEALS, AXLE BEARINGS, AND TIRE ON THE RIM ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE DRUM. FORD STIPULATES THAT BRAKE SHOES ARE TO BE TOUCHING DRUM WHEN BRAKES ARE ADJUSTED. THIS RESULTS IN FRICTIONAL HEAT BUILD-UP, AND IS LIKELY TO BE A CONTRIBUTOR TO TIRE FAILURES REPORTED WITH THE FORD EXPLORER. THE FORD EXPLORER, AEROSTAR, AND RANGER ALL SHARE POWER TRAIN AND DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENTS. THIS PRACTICE HAS COST ME $000S ON MY 4 FORD AEROSTARS (1989, 1992, 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEARS)
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN A SUDDEN LOSS IN ALMOST ALL BRAKING POWER AND LOSS OF FRONT RIGHT WHEEL NEARLY COMING OFF VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FRONT SPINDLE ASSEMBLY, BRAKE ROTOR,AND CALIPERAND BALL JOINTS WERE DETROYED . DUE TO THE NATURE OF TH…
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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN A SUDDEN LOSS IN ALMOST ALL BRAKING POWER AND LOSS OF FRONT RIGHT WHEEL NEARLY COMING OFF VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FRONT SPINDLE ASSEMBLY, BRAKE ROTOR,AND CALIPERAND BALL JOINTS WERE DETROYED . DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE REPAIR THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR, CALIPER AND SHOES HAD TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE EFFICIENTLY. THIS INCIDENT COST IN EXCESS OF $1,400.00 TO REPLACE I RESEARCHED YOUR WEB SITE AND FOUND A IDENTICAL PROBLEM ODI ID 554544 I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP IN A RESULTION TO RETRIEVE LOST EXPENCES AND AND MY NEXT BEST COURSE OF ACTION.
TRANSMISSION.
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE #97V204000. CONTACTED DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS FOR TRANSFER CASE. AFTER REPAIRS, PICKED VEHICLE UP. HAD PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY. WAS A LOUD BANG. THIS CAUSED ADDITIONAL DAMAGE IN REAR END. DEALER REFUSED TO HELP W/PROBLEM.ALSO, REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS HAD CRACKED. IT SOUNDED LIKE METAL ON METAL. *…
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RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE #97V204000. CONTACTED DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS FOR TRANSFER CASE. AFTER REPAIRS, PICKED VEHICLE UP. HAD PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY. WAS A LOUD BANG. THIS CAUSED ADDITIONAL DAMAGE IN REAR END. DEALER REFUSED TO HELP W/PROBLEM.ALSO, REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS HAD CRACKED. IT SOUNDED LIKE METAL ON METAL. *AK
FEELS LIKE AND SOUNDS LIKE TRANSMISSION TRYING TO LOCK IN TWO GEARS, ALMOST STALLS VEHICLE.HAS A MISS/BUCK/BALK/JERK/JUMP OR WHATEVER,SEVERITY VARIES FROM VERY SEVERE TO BARELY PERCEPTIBLE. OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN CITY. *AK
Official recalls
300V425000 · 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
2EA99002 · 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