Your vehicle report
1992 Ford Aerostar
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 317
- Received Jan 1995 to Sep 2008
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Vehicle catches fire from wiring24 complaints · 7.6% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Brake pedal sinks due to leaking lines19 complaints · 6.0% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Headlights dim or fail at night14 complaints · 4.4% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #99V094000Vehicle description: all wheel drive passenger minivans. (this includes all 1992 awd aerostars not previously included in safety recall 97V-204/97S83). 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.
- Recall #99V029000Vehicle 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.
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
No problems currently meet BrakeNews’s flagging criteria. This is not a safety rating.
How flags are identifiedComplaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 29 crashes, 30 fires, 30 people injured, 4 deaths.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 20 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
Brakes
Electrical & lights
Airbags, belts & seats
Steering, suspension & tires
Body, doors & glass
Driver assistance
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Other
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 45 |
| 1996 | 40 |
| 1997 | 31 |
| 1998 | 51 |
| 1999 | 88 |
| 2000 | 21 |
| 2001 | 17 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 (to Oct 2026) | 0 |
| Total | 317 |
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.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle catches fire from wiring | 24 | 7.6% | – | |
| Brake pedal sinks due to leaking lines | 19 | 6.0% | – | |
| Headlights dim or fail at night | 14 | 4.4% | – | |
| Transmission fails or loses power while driving | 14 | 4.4% | – | |
| Rear door latch fails to open or close | 12 | 3.8% | – | |
| Airbags fail to deploy in crashes | 12 | 3.8% | – | |
| Airbag warning light stays on | 11 | 3.5% | – | |
| Transfer case shifts into 4-wheel drive unexpectedly | 11 | 3.5% | – | |
| Anti-lock brakes fail or lock up | 11 | 3.5% | – | |
| Ignition key sticks or will not turn | 9 | 2.8% | – | |
| Tires blow out or tread separates | 9 | 2.8% | – | |
| Seat belt fails to latch or retract | 8 | 2.5% | – | |
| Air conditioner blows hot air or fails | 8 | 2.5% | – | |
| Front brake rotors warp and wear early | 8 | 2.5% | – | |
| Parking brake fails to hold or release | 6 | 1.9% | – | |
| Engine burns excessive oil between changes | 6 | 1.9% | – | |
| Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips | 5 | 1.6% | – | |
| Brakes fail intermittently or repeatedly | 5 | 1.6% | – | |
| Coil springs break and puncture tires | 4 | 1.3% | – | |
| Check engine light comes on repeatedly | 4 | 1.3% | – |
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 #99V094000April 28, 199910,951 vehicles affected
power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Vehicle description: all wheel drive passenger minivans. (this includes all 1992 awd aerostars not previously included in safety recall 97V-204/97S83). 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.
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.
NHTSA recall #99V029000February 9, 1999762,201 vehicles affected
electrical system: ignition: 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.
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.
NHTSA recall #97V204000November 13, 199775,000 vehicles affected
power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
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.
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.
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 1992 Ford Aerostar.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN