1993 Ford AEROSTAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
188 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
145,335 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1993 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 188 complaints (10.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 40 | 21.3% |
| Steering behavior | 19 | 10.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 6.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 6.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 3.2% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 1.6% |
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 | 20 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 11 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 8 |
| Tires | 7 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 20; Air Bags:Frontal: 11; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Air Bags: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 8; Tires: 7
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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 7
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 170 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 | 42 |
| 2000 | 35 |
| 2001 | 18 |
| 2002 | 18 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1995: 42; 1996: 42; 2000: 35; 2001: 18; 2002: 18; 2003: 11; 2004: 9; 2005: 4; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 40 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 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 10033247 · 2003-08-21 (August 21, 2003)
CANCELLATION OF GENERAL RECALL TSB94B38 WHICH HAD TO DO WITH ABS GENERAL RECALL WHICH FORD SAYS IS NOW EXPIRED. MY REAR BRAKES LOCKUP FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, AND SOMETIMES DURING THE DAY, SOMETIMES I GET A ABS LIGHT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 108,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048270 · 2003-11-19 (November 19, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL CONCERNING TRANSFER CASE PROBLEM. ALSO, HAD BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10048270 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043007 · 2003-10-16 (October 16, 2003)
DEAR NHTSA; BELOW IS CORRESPONDENCE WITH GOODYEAR TIRE COMPANY. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DUNLOP ROVER TOURING GT TIRE NUMBER PN P22570514 AS DETALED BELOW. I DO NOT HAVE FURTHER TIRE INFORMATION SINCE THE VEHICLE IS IN THE UNITED STATES BUT I CAN OBTAIN IT AS NECESSARY. THANK YOU, MARK DEVRIES *LA 3 OCTOBER 2003 DEAR SIR: ON 6-22-01 I PURCHASED 4 DUNLOP ROVER TOURING LT TIRES FOR MY 1992 AEROSTAR VAN, MILAGE 108,098 AT SEARS EAGLE RIDGE MALL, LAKE WALES FL. ON 8-6-03, THE VEHICLE (138,690 MILES) WAS RETURNED TO SEARS EAGLE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10043007 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098011 · 2004-10-30 (October 30, 2004)
WHILE TURNING LEFT IN AN INTERSECTION THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP ON MY AEROSTAR FORD '93 THAT CAUSED ME TO TURN OVER TO THE LEFT AND HIT THE OPPOSITE LANE AND HIT A CAR. I WAS UNABLE TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE WHEEL AS IT LOCKS UP. AFTER IT WAS RESTARTED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FINE AND 2 MECHANICS THAT I BROUGHT IT TO CAN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 91,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056983 · 2004-02-11 (February 11, 2004)
HEADLIGHT SWITCH RUNS SO HOT IT MELTS THE PLASTIC PLUG BODY INTO WHICH THE WIRING HARNESS TERMINALS ARE INSERTED. I WILL BE PURCHASING THE SECOND REPLACEMENT SWITCH TODAY (3 TOTAL SWITCHES SINCE NEW). WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TRIM REMOVED AND 1/2 HR DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS ON THE SWITCH IS TOO HOT TO TOUCH. THE CONTACT THAT PROVIDES POWER TO THE TAIL LIGHTS, INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND RADIO NIGHT LIGHT SEEMS TO BE THE SOURCE OF HEAT AS THAT TERMINAL SHOWS THE GREATEST DAMAGE DUE TO HEATING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056983 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069342 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THE SWITCH DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN YOU TAKE THE KEY OUT SWITCH IS STILL ON. HAS TO BE JIGGLED ABOUT TO BE SURE IT IS TURNED OFF. HAS BEEN ON AND LIGHTS INSIDE HAVE RUN BATTERY DOWN. ALSO WHEN DRIVING THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON OR THE CHECK OIL LIGHT STAYS ON AND YOU CAN HEAR NOISES IN DASH. THEY SOUND LIKE CLICKING NOISES. WANT TO FIND OUT IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS ON MY VAN. I PURCASED IT USED AND LOVE IT EXCEPT FOR THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU NOVEEN MCGEE
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10069342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032088 · 2003-08-05 (August 5, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING TRANSMISSION WILL LOCK UP. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032088 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10787003 · 2015-10-29 (October 29, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD AEROSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THERE WAS A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE AND THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION TRANSFER CASE WAS FRACTURED AND FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10787003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 564167 · 2001-01-25 (January 25, 2001)
CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH A FAULTY GAS TANK AND IS REQUESTING REMIBURSEMENT, CONSUMER STATED THAT HIS 1990 FORD AEROSTAR WAS RECALLED FOR A FAULTY GAS TANK, AND EXPECTS TO HAVE HIS 1993 RECALLED AS WELL SINCE BOTH VEHICLES EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *YD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 564167 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802268 · 1996-09-11 (September 11, 1996)
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER WAS EXPERIENCED DUE TO THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE FUEL PUMP HAD MELTED OR BURNT DOWN.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802268 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10109761 · 2005-03-02 (March 2, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DO SO. WHILE OPENING THE HOOD, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB RECALL CAMPAIGN; NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 99V029000. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EDGE OF THE HOOD. AFTER HE OPENED THE HOOD HE SAW A SMALL FIRE AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10109761 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 560979 · 2001-04-30 (April 30, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY, VEHICLE HAS STALLED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED VERY HARD STEERING AND BRAKES WITH NO POWER, VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND CONSUMER WAS ADVISED VEHICLE WAS FIXED, BUT IT WAS NOT FIXED AND VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN ON THE FREEWAY, VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT ALTERNATOR WAS CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING, EVEN THOUGH DEALERSHIP ADVISED CONSUMER IT WAS FIXED AND ALSO CHARGED HER OVER $1000.00 FOR PREVIOUS REPAIRS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 560979 at NHTSA ↗