Ford Aerostar Problems by Year
NHTSA has 341 owner complaints and 8 safety recalls on file for the Ford Aerostar, across 6 model years (1995–2000). The 1995 model year has the most complaints (157). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Ford Aerostar years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Aerostar year: 1995, 1996, 1997. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1995 Aerostar: 157 complaints, 5 recalls
- 1996 Aerostar: 104 complaints, 4 recalls
- 1997 Aerostar: 63 complaints, 3 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 1998 Aerostar: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2000 Aerostar: 6 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1999 Aerostar: 7 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Ford Aerostar problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 63 | 4 | 0 |
| Power Train | 48 | 5 | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 40 | 4 | 8 |
| Wheels | 35 | 4 | 3 |
| Air Bags | 23 | 6 | 21 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 21 | 5 | 8 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 18 | 5 | 2 |
| Steering | 18 | 3 | 1 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 17 | 3 | 0 |
| Tires | 16 | 5 | 0 |
| Structure | 15 | 3 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 14 | 4 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 10 | 4 | 1 |
| Suspension | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Ford Aerostar model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Aerostar | 6 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 1999 Aerostar | 7 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 1998 Aerostar | 4 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 1997 Aerostar | 63 | 3 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1996 Aerostar | 104 | 4 | — | Wheels | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1995 Aerostar | 157 | 5 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Ford: all Ford models · Ford VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Aerostar years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1995 (157), 1996 (104), 1997 (63) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Aerostar year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Ford Aerostar?
Electrical System, with 63 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Ford Aerostar have?
8 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.