1989 Ford AEROSTAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
145 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
167,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 26 of 145 complaints (17.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 25 | 17.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 19 | 13.1% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 7.6% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 6.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 4.1% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 2.1% |
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 | 26 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 18 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 11 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 9 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 8 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 5 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 26; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 18; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 11; Electrical System:Ignition: 9; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 8; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 5
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 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
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: 1; 150,000 and above: 5
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 139 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 | 42 |
| 1996 | 54 |
| 2000 | 23 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
1995: 42; 1996: 54; 2000: 23; 2001: 10; 2002: 9; 2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 25 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 19 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 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 484637 · 1995-08-07 (August 7, 1995)
VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN DASHBOARD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484637 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484761 · 1995-08-07 (August 7, 1995)
FAULTY WIRING HARNESS INCLUDED WITH ALTERNATOR CAUSED FIRE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484761 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046209 · 2003-11-03 (November 3, 2003)
THE MANUFACTURER WAS REFUSING TO HONOR RECALL 98V190000 FOR FUEL TANK CRACKS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY PERIOD ENDED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046209 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063044 · 2004-03-11 (March 11, 2004)
NHTSA RECALL 98V190000 CONCERNING FUEL SYSTEM STORAGE TANK ASSEMBLY: CONSUMER INTERMITTENTLY SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. T CONSUMER EXAMINED THE GAS TANK AND FOUND THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK WHEN IT WAS FULL. MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 175,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 757273 · 2002-01-24 (January 24, 2002)
THE ALTERNATOR FAILED SHORT CIRCUIT. MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF CURRENT PASSED FROM THE BATTERY THROUGH THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FAULT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL DUE TO LACK OF IGNITION AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND STOP THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. SMOKE WAS POURING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I MANAGED TO STOP AND OPEN THE HOOD, THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH WAS GLOWING RED INSIDE, BURST INTO FLAMES AND SET FIRE TO CABLES AND RUBBER HOSES AROUND IT. I RECEIVED BURNS TO MY HANDS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 757273 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 865412 · 2000-07-14 (July 14, 2000)
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITHOUT IGNITION RUNNING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 865412 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10097085 · 2004-11-03 (November 3, 2004)
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT BACK IN 1998 SHE HAD A ACCIDENT WITH HER FORD AEROSTAR. SHE STATED THAT WHEN SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND HIT THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND HIT A BUILDING. SHE SAID SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY IDLE AIR CONTROL. SHE SAID IT WAS REPAIRED AND SHE TOOK THE PART AND SENT IT TO THE MANUFACTURER. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS COME UP AGAIN AND SHE WAS ASKED TO BE A WITNESS, BECAUSE SOMEONE WAS KILLED, WHEN THEIR VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING. *JB …
Owner-reported narrative. 102,371 miles reported. Look up ODI 10097085 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10164625 · 2006-08-06 (August 6, 2006)
BRAKE LINE NEXT TO GAS TANK FAILED ON HIGHWAY, BRAKING ABILITY WAS GREATLY REDUCED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 244,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164625 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486673 · 1995-05-30 (May 30, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FAILED SIX TIMES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486673 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502871 · 1996-03-24 (March 24, 1996)
TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502871 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008358 · 2003-03-03 (March 3, 2003)
WE OWE A 1989 FORD AEROSTAR MINI-VAN THE LONG EDITION. WE HAVE HAD IT A LITTLE OVER YEAR. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS VECHICLE STALLING WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TO AND FROM WORK. IT HAPPENS A LOT MORE OFTEN WHEN IT IS COLD AS OPPOSED TO WHEN IT IS WARMER. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008358 at NHTSA ↗