Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 6 | −90% | — | Transmission | Good |
| 1999 | 7 | −89% | — | Transmission | Good |
| 1997 | 63 | typical | 3 | Electrical | Average |
| 1996 | 104 | 2.8× | 4 | Wheel & Tire | Avoid |
| 1995 | 157 | 4.4× | 5 | Electrical | Avoid |
* Complaints compared with the median Aerostar year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Ford Aerostar problems
Latest Ford Aerostar recalls
Vehicle speed control › Cables
Vehicle description: minivans equipped with 3.0l engines. An accelerator cable was kinked during installation, causing the core wires to eventually fray.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new accelerator cable.
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Vehicle description: Mini vans. Heat generation in the wiring harness to the fuel pump/sender assembly can cause an electrical short. The vehicle could experience a loss of power and become immobilized and the fuel gauge May be erratic.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused jumper harness in the fuel pump ground circuit that will be installed at the fuel pump inertia shut-off switch.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Vehicle description: Mini vans. These vehicles were produced with a higher than specified electrical load through the accessory power feed circuit. The potential for contact between the b2 (battery), a2 (accessory), and p1 (proof) circuits can occur, creating a short circuit, allowing current to flow through the ground wire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a jumper harness with a relay which will re-route and activate all a2 accessories through the relay.
Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Vehicle description: all wheel drive passenger minivans. These vehicles can develop powertrain bending resonance or transfer case output shaft bushing displacement. The powertrain bending resonance or the output shaft bushing displacement can result in structural failure of the transmission and/or transfer case.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new transfer case rear output shaft bushing and an aluminum driveshaft will be installed.
Equipment › Other › Labels
The certification labels on the involved vehicles has incorrect rear tire inflation pressure designations. This does not comply with FMVSS no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars."
Remedy: Owners will be provided with correct certification labels and instructions for installing these labels. Dealers can install this label if the owner so desires.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Ford Aerostar should you avoid?
1995 and 1996 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Aerostar years at the same age, led by electrical system problems in the 1995.
What is the best year for the Ford Aerostar?
2000 has the fewest complaints compared with other Aerostar years at the same age, followed by 1999. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Ford Aerostar problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the electrical system (62), wheels & tires (50) and transmission & drivetrain (48). Electrical complaints peak in the 1995 model year.
How many recalls has the Ford Aerostar had?
8 recalls across 1995–2000. The model year with the most is 1995. See all Ford Aerostar recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.