1990 Ford AEROSTAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
108 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
142,143 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 108 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 12.0% |
| Braking behavior | 13 | 12.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 12 | 11.1% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 5.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 4.6% |
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 | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 11 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 10 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 6 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 4 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 12; Vehicle Speed Control: 12; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 11; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 10; Electrical System:Ignition: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 6; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 103 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 | 35 |
| 1996 | 36 |
| 2000 | 12 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 |
1995: 35; 1996: 36; 2000: 12; 2001: 5; 2002: 8; 2003: 3; 2004: 4; 2005: 4; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 12 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 10029226 · 2003-07-26 (July 26, 2003)
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029226 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071345 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
I JUST GOT MY TRANSMISSION FIXED BUT THE PROBLEM WAS I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE FORD AEROSTAR HAS BEEN RECALLED... UNTIL NOW I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SOMETIMES NO SHIFTING, REVERSE ALWAYS HAVE A PROBLEM AND LATE SHIFTING (FORWARD).. I'M JUST WONDERING IF MY VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED? CAN FORD DEALER FIX MY VAN WITHOUT ANY COST?
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071345 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048473 · 2003-11-21 (November 21, 2003)
THE REAR ANTI LOCK BRAKES HAVE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO LOCK. AS A RESULT THE STEERING LOCK AND THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. NO REPORT OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 190,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048473 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10076051 · 2004-06-10 (June 10, 2004)
THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURES DESCRIBED IN THE MASTER CYLINDER PISTONS RECALL 89V223000. IN ADDITION, THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. ALSO, THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL 96V071000 BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10076051 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001298 · 2002-12-20 (December 20, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THE SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL #98V190000 FUEL TANK CRACKS. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001298 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004422 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
NHTSARECALL 98-V-190-000 CONCERNING UPPER PORTION OF FUEL TANK THAT CAN DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS DUE TO EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO VERY HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. FUEL VAPOR OR LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AT THESE CRACKS. CONSUMER HADTHE RECALL LETTER, BUT MANUFACTURER DIDN'T HONOR IT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.TS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004422 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 861077 · 2000-04-27 (April 27, 2000)
WHILE TRAVELING STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE AND PULL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 861077 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504184 · 1996-05-06 (May 6, 1996)
ELECTRICAL FIRE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504184 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8003951 · 2002-02-12 (February 12, 2002)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTDOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THERE IS A SIGN BURNING PLASTIC. RECALL NUMBER 96G07100. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8003951 at NHTSA ↗