1986 Ford AEROSTAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
300,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 31 complaints (12.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 9.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 9.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 9.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 30 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 10 |
| 1996 | 18 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1995: 10; 1996: 18; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 484729 · 1995-08-09 (August 9, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484729 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 883658 · 2001-03-21 (March 21, 2001)
TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT 3 YEARS AGO AT FORD DEALER, THEN, IN OCT 2000 WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 883658 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 980604 · 1996-03-12 (March 12, 1996)
PARKED VEHICLE IN GARAGE, HEARD A LOUD NOISE THE ENTIRE ENGINE AREA WAS ON FIRE NEAR THE DASH. POSSIBLY ELECTRICAL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 980604 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983287 · 1996-04-22 (April 22, 1996)
WHILE PARKED NOTICE A FIRE COMING FROME THE DASH AREA, POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983287 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10980287 · 2017-04-24 (April 24, 2017)
THE GROMMET IN THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING. FUEL IS ESCAPING FROM THE TANK AND MAY CAUSE A FIRE. THERE IS A CONSTANT ESCAPE OF FUEL MOVING OR STATIONARY. THEREFORE THIS SYSTEM WILL NOT PASS SMOG BECAUSE WHEN PRESSURIZED, IT WILL NOT HOLD AIR. THIS IS A CALIFORNIA REQUIREMENT. IT IS ALSO MOST DANGEROUS. FORD MOTOR CO. WILL NOT CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THE 9 RECALLS FOR THIS MODEL IS ON YOUR SYSTEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 300,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10980287 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504972 · 1996-05-24 (May 24, 1996)
FAILED FUEL INJECTOR CAUSED ENGINE FIRE. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504972 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958756 · 1995-01-17 (January 17, 1995)
AUTO-TRAN: WHILE PARKED, SHIFTED TO REVERSE; ENGINE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN; VEHICLE TOOK OFF; BRAKES APPLIED; VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO HOUSE ACROSS STREET. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 987121 · 1996-07-19 (July 19, 1996)
TRUCK WAS PARKED AND THE STEERING AND SEAT WERE BURNING , PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 987121 at NHTSA ↗