The most-reported Aerostar run is 1FMCA11UXJZ (1988 builds) with 15 complaints, 6.8× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 29% of reports; 1988 is the worst model year at 2.8 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 26 recall campaigns for Aerostar model years 1986–1997.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Ford Aerostar has 779 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 4% of every Aerostar complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1FMCA11UXJZ•••••• | 1988 | — | 1 | |
| 1FMCA11U2JZ•••••• | 1988 | — | 3 | |
| 1FMCA11U2KZ•••••• | 1989 | — | 3 | |
| 1FMCA11UXKZ•••••• | 1989 | — | 1 | |
| 1FMCA11U3RZ•••••• | 1994 | — | — | |
| 1FMCA11U0PZ•••••• | 1993 | 1 | 3 | |
| 1FMDA41X6NZ•••••• | 1992 | — | — | |
| 1FMCA11U1PZ•••••• | 1993 | 2 | 2 | |
| 1FMCA11U7PZ•••••• | 1993 | — | 2 | |
| 1FMCA11U5KZ•••••• | 1989 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1FMDA11U2NZ•••••• | 1992 | — | 1 | |
| 1FMCA11U4JZ•••••• | 1988 | 1 | 4 |
Each of the other 767 Aerostar runs has 11 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Ford Aerostar the gap between build years is 2.5×: a 1988 car draws 2.8 complaints per run, a 1986 one 1.1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 54 | 34 | 4 | |
| 1996 | 87 | 47 | 6 | |
| 1995 | 122 | 69 | 15 | |
| 1994 | 191 | 77 | 12 | |
| 1993 | 274 | 107 | 26 | |
| 1992 | 236 | 95 | 23 | |
| 1991 | 170 | 85 | 18 | |
| 1990 | 146 | 82 | 17 | |
| 1989 | 189 | 74 | 19 | |
| 1988 | 138 | 50 | 6 | |
| 1987 | 80 | 40 | 4 | |
| 1986 | 36 | 32 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 1988 at 2.8 complaints per run; lightest is 1986 at 1.1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 29% of everything Ford Aerostar owners report: Electrical System, 471 of 1,723 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 | 266 | |
| Power Train | 27 | 13 | |
| Service Brakes | 31 | 5 | |
| Hydraulic | 31 | 5 | |
| Fuel System | 2 | 22 | |
| Gasoline | 2 | 21 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 37 | |
| Air Bags | 44 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 26 recall campaigns on the Ford Aerostar; the 6 below cover build years 1986 to 1997. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 98E010000 | Service Brakes, Air:disc:rotor | 1986–1997 |
| 99V029000 | Electrical System:ignition:switch | 1992–1997 |
| 06E022000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1992–1997 |
| 97V204000 | Power Train:transfer Case (4-wheel Drive) | 1992–1997 |
| 96V071000 | Electrical System:ignition | 1988–1991 |
| 91V189000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission | 1989–1991 |
The Aerostar against its rivals
The Aerostar draws 2.2 complaints per production run; the Toyota Previa 1.4. That is the highest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Aerostar | 1,723 | 779 | 8.8% | |
| Toyota Previa | 167 | 122 | 9.6% |
How serious were they
Of the 1,723 reports on the Ford Aerostar, 8.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Ford Aerostar | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 1,723 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 152 (8.8%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 341 (19.8%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 191 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 9 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 52% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Ford Aerostar share of that is 1,723 complaints over 779 runs, 0.15% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Ford Aerostar VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,723 NHTSA complaints from 779 Aerostar runs and 26 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Aerostar production run has the most complaints?
1FMCA11UXJZ, a 1988 build, with 15 complaints. The typical Aerostar run has 2.2.
Which Aerostar years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1988 is heaviest at 2.8 complaints per run and 1986 lightest at 1.1.
Does the Aerostar get more complaints than the Toyota Previa?
Yes: 2.2 complaints per production run for the Aerostar against 1.4 for the Toyota Previa.
How many Aerostar complaints involve a crash?
8.8% of 1,723 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 341 involved a fire.
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