1988 Ford Aerostar

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #98V190000August 11, 1998140,000 vehicles affected

  fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

  Vehicle description: mini vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alabama, arizona, arkansas, california (10 southern counties of los angeles, orange, san bernadino, san diego, riverside, ventura, santa barbara, san luis obispo, imperial, and kern), florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, nevada (clark county), oklahoma, south carolina, and texas, and in the U.S. Territories covered by the federal statutes. The upper portion of the fuel tank Can develop small cracks due to extended exposure to very high ambient temperatures. Fuel vapor or leakage could occur at these cracks.

  If an ignition source is present, a fire could result.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the fuel tank, regardless of mileage, through march 31, 2002. This coverage will only be for structural cracks at the top of the tank and will not include other damage caused by an accident or road debris.

• NHTSA recall #96V071000April 25, 19967,900,000 vehicles affected

  electrical system: ignition

  The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

  This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

• NHTSA recall #91V136000August 19, 1991112,000 vehicles affected

  structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut

  Some liftgate gas cylinder-to-body attachment ball studs may fracture in either the open or closed position.

  If a ball stud fractures, the liftgate will not remain inthe open position. Bodily injury could result if the liftgate drops whilesomeone is under it.

  Remedy

  Replace the gas cylinder-to-body attachment ball studs.

• NHTSA recall #88V091000June 6, 198860,000 vehicles affected

  electrical system: wiring

  Vehicles equipped with trailer tow package have a trailer taillight relay assembly that contains wires of smaller gauge than the fuse link which protects the circuit.

  Should a short circuit occur in the wiring within therelay or if water intrusion occurs the smaller gauge wire in the relay willfunction as a fuse link and overheat. The possibility exists for a fire if thewires are exposed to combustible materials.

  Remedy

  Installation of a relay with wires of gauge adequate to protect the circuit.

Other model years

• 1986 53
• 1987 114
• 1988
• 1989 260
• 1990 195
• 1991 223
• 1992 317
• 1993 374
• 1994 257
• 1995 157
• 1996 104
• 1997 63