1992 Ford AEROSTAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
138 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
147,841 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 138 complaints (9.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 27 | 19.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 8.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 8.0% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 6.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.7% |
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 | 13 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 8 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 7 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 7 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 6 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 13; Air Bags:Frontal: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 8; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch: 7; Air Bags: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 6
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 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
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: 4; 150,000 and above: 6
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 126 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 | 45 |
| 1996 | 31 |
| 2000 | 21 |
| 2001 | 17 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
1995: 45; 1996: 31; 2000: 21; 2001: 17; 2002: 7; 2003: 6; 2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 10108595 · 2005-01-21 (January 21, 2005)
OWNER WAS GOING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. OWNER SAYS THAT THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKE HOSE LINE POPPED RIGHT OFF. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL BRAKE PRESSURE PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM STOPPING. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10108595 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10196275 · 2007-07-13 (July 13, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD AEROSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GROUND WIRES ARE SHORTING OUT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND OTHER WIRES UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. HE ALSO STATED THAT HIS WINDOWS ARE NOT WORKING. FORD STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN BURNED BY THE FAILED WIRES. THE RECALL # WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 171,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10196275 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 560052 · 2001-03-02 (March 2, 2001)
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 99V-029 DUE TO DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED BURNS TO HIS FOREARM WHILE TRYING TO OBTAIN ITEMS FROM THE VEHICLE. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 560052 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 756953 · 2002-01-16 (January 16, 2002)
RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V029000 WAS FOR IGNITION WIRING HARNESS. THE WIRING HARNESS IN MY VAN OVERHEAD, SHORTED OUT THE LIGHTS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT AND PUT OFF THE ODOR OF BURNING WIRES. I PAID TO HAVE IT REPLACED. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL AND FORD TELLS ME THAT MY VAN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IF I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED SHOULDN'T IT BE COVERED? OR MAYBE YOU NEED TO EXPAND THE CAMPAIGN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 756953 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038132 · 2003-10-16 (October 16, 2003)
THE SHIFTING LEVER IN THE STEERING COLUMN MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO SHIFT. PART# 2F0DC-7215 53. *AK THIS WAS DUE TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE AND MAY BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION/SHIFT ACTUATING TUBE. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 142,297 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10153208 · 2006-03-20 (March 20, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE, IT FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY ONLY OPERATES IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION HAD GONE OUT PREVIOUSLY AND WAS REPLACED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC.
Owner-reported narrative. 194,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153208 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959287 · 1995-01-30 (January 30, 1995)
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILS REPEATEDLY. PUMPS REPLACED THREE TIMES DUE TO LEAKS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959287 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962564 · 1995-03-27 (March 27, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING ON EXPWY VAN STALLED DUE TO WORN DISTRIBUTOR THAT MANUFACTURER ISSUED BULLETIN 9/1/93. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962564 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 978752 · 1996-02-06 (February 6, 1996)
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IMPACT 12:00, VEHICLE HAD STALLED, DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 978752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 870977 · 2000-09-19 (September 19, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING COULD SMELL BURNING, AND WHEN STOPPED TOOK VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER. DEALER FOUND OUT THAT FUEL PUMP HAD MELTED, AND CONNECTORS HAD BURNED AND SMOKED, JUST LIKE RECALL 99 V 028. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 870977 at NHTSA ↗