1994 Ford AEROSTAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
127 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
109,089 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 127 complaints (12.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 20 | 15.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 9.4% |
| Braking behavior | 11 | 8.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 8.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 16 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 12 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 8 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 7 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 7 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 5 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
Air Bags: 16; Air Bags:Frontal: 12; Electrical System:Horn: 8; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 7; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 5; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 112 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 | 22 |
| 1996 | 17 |
| 2000 | 31 |
| 2001 | 24 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1995: 22; 1996: 17; 2000: 31; 2001: 24; 2002: 8; 2003: 11; 2004: 3; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking 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 10001727 · 2002-12-31 (December 31, 2002)
CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. SUDDENLY THEY WERE UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE OR CHANGE GEARS. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY A PART BRAKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001727 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008035 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
THE WIRING HARNESS IN MY STEERING COLUME IS DEFECTIVE. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME IN 6 YRS THAT THIS HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE HARNESS CONTROLLS THE AIRBAGE, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROLL. ALSO THE IGITION SWITCH IS FAULTY, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10132510 · 2006-02-01 (February 1, 2006)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED 1994, FORD VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE FREEWAY ON 8-8-05. SHE WAS NOT HAVING PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE SEEMED TO BE ELECTRICAL AND ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD. *AK *JB UPDATED 2/7/2006 - THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 97V204000 ON NOV 13, 1997 FOR THE TRANSFER CASE/DRIVESHAFT BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. THIS FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM NHTSA ON TWO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. ONE WAS 99V028000 FOR THE ELECTRICAL WIRING UNDER THE HOOD AND T…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10132510 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026717 · 2003-07-08 (July 8, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE GEAR SHIFT CAN BE PUSHED DOWN WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046772 · 2003-11-12 (November 12, 2003)
THE ACCESSORIES IN MY DASH AND STEERING COLUMN ARE SHORTING OUT, AND I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE WHEN MY VAN WAS MADE. I DON'T CARE WHY I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE MY KIDS TO SCHOOL AND BACK AND NOT HAVE MY VAN CATCH ON FIRE. WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH THAT ALREADY WITH A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. ALSO, THE FUEL PUMP IS ACTING UP ANDI WAS TOLD IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT IS SHORTING OUT!. AGAIN NOT THE RIGHT MONTH BUT I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS SO THE WAY I SEE IT IS THAT FORD MESSED UP AND SHOULD …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10046772 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10276149 · 2009-07-08 (July 8, 2009)
WE WERE BEGINNING TO EXPERIENCE LOSS OF POWER. THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER WAS CHANGED. WE ARE STILL GETTING INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER, BUT WHAT MY CONCERN IS THAT I SAW A RECALL ON NHTSA: 99V028000. I WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS RECALL WHEN I VIEWED AN EPISODE OF COPS WHERE AN AEROSTAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I CALLED FORD IN TEMECULA CALIF AND NOW THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF ANY RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR OF AEROSTAR 1994 I DO HAVE KIDS AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT SAFETY MATTERS REMAIN ON THIS VAN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10276149 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017023 · 2003-05-05 (May 5, 2003)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE - TRANSMISSION FALLS OUT OF GEAR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017023 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 550308 · 2000-01-10 (January 10, 2000)
TRANSFER CASE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (97V-204)LEAVING CONSUMER AND FAMILY STRANDED. DRIVESHAFT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO AN ALUMINUM ONE AT TIME OF RECALL REPAIR OF THE TRANSFER CASE TO FULLY REMEDY THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CONSUMER IS HEARING TRANSMISSON NOISES AGAIN. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 550308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 875249 · 2000-11-20 (November 20, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 60 MPH ENGINE QUIT 100%. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A NEAR BY MECHANIC. THEY SAID IT WAS A SHORT JUST BEFORE IGNITION SWITCH, THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD WIRING HARNESS THAT PRODUCED TOO MUCH HEAT WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF POWER TO THE ENGINE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 875249 at NHTSA ↗