1987 Ford AEROSTAR: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
68 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 68 complaints (17.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 10.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 8.8% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 5.9% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.9% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 1.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 12 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 8 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 7 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 7 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 3 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut | 3 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 12; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 8; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 7; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 3; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut: 3
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 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
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: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 68 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 | 30 |
| 1996 | 25 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
1995: 30; 1996: 25; 2000: 5; 2001: 5; 2002: 2; 2003: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10038500 · 2003-09-03 (September 3, 2003)
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THREE TRANSMISSION. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038500 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480374 · 1995-01-10 (January 10, 1995)
REAR AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL LEAKS/NOISY *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480374 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481771 · 1995-02-19 (February 19, 1995)
WIRING TO ALTERNATOR SHORTED OUT DUE TO BEING ROUTED INCORRECTLY UP AGAINST ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING ALTERNATOR/DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER TO FAIL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481771 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483322 · 1995-08-22 (August 22, 1995)
VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED BY AN ALTERNATOR CONNECTOR FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483322 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483592 · 1995-08-25 (August 25, 1995)
DRIVER'S SEATBELT LATCH INOPERABLE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485195 · 1995-06-13 (June 13, 1995)
SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE TWICE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485195 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485802 · 1995-06-13 (June 13, 1995)
METAL SPRING IN SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE, PREVENTING BELT FROM FASTENING. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485802 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486926 · 1995-06-04 (June 4, 1995)
SEAT BELT DOES NOT LATCH PROPERLY. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486926 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1987-09-04 (September 4, 1987)
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V091000 · Electrical System:Wiring
Reported: 1988-06-06 (June 6, 1988)
VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TRAILER TOW PACKAGE HAVE A TRAILER TAILLIGHT RELAY ASSEMBLY THAT CONTAINS WIRES OF SMALLER GAUGE THAN THE FUSE LINK WHICH PROTECTS THE CIRCUIT.
Consequence: SHOULD A SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THE WIRING WITHIN THERELAY OR IF WATER INTRUSION OCCURS THE SMALLER GAUGE WIRE IN THE RELAY WILLFUNCTION AS A FUSE LINK AND OVERHEAT. THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR A FIRE IF THEWIRES ARE EXPOSED TO COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS.
Remedy: INSTALLATION OF A RELAY WITH WIRES OF GAUGE ADEQUATE TO PROTECT THE CIRCUIT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗89V226000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1989-12-18 (December 18, 1989)
VANS WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT PLASTIC COVER DESIGNED TO COVER OUTBOARD SEAT BACK PIVOT HINGE ALLOWING WEBBING OF FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE SAFETY BELTS TO BECOME ABRADED OR CUT DUE TO CONTACT WITH EXPOSED HINGE.
Consequence: DAMAGE TO BELT WEBBING COULD WEAKEN BELTS TO POINT OFFAILURE INCREASING RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT OR A SUDDEN STOP.
Remedy: INSTALL PLASTIC PIVOT COVER; REPLACE BELTS AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗91V136000 · Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut
Reported: 1991-08-19 (August 19, 1991)
SOME LIFTGATE GAS CYLINDER-TO-BODY ATTACHMENT BALL STUDS MAY FRACTURE IN EITHER THE OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION.
Consequence: IF A BALL STUD FRACTURES, THE LIFTGATE WILL NOT REMAIN INTHE OPEN POSITION. BODILY INJURY COULD RESULT IF THE LIFTGATE DROPS WHILESOMEONE IS UNDER IT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE GAS CYLINDER-TO-BODY ATTACHMENT BALL STUDS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗