1992 Ford Aerostar: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 317 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (21% of complaints); the 1990 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 317 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1992 ford aerostar. The contact stated that the cruise controls shuts on and off without warning. Several years ago, he witnessed billows of smoke coming from the vehicle. The vehicle has not been inspected or repaired. The speed and powertrain were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 145,681.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2007
“Dt*: the contact stated that the vehicle's horizontal and vertical headlight adjusters fractured on 07/04/06. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on 07/05/06 who determined that there was no replacement part available to repair the problem. The tension spring that assists in the proper functioning of the headlight adjusters was no longer available as well. The manufacturer was not alerted. Updated 8/1/2006 - *nm”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated when the vehicle was placed in drive, it failed to move forward. The vehicle currently only operates in reverse. The vehicle was seen by a local mechanic who determined the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission had gone out previously and was replaced by a local mechanic.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2006
Show 7 more owner reports
“Owner was going at approximately 45 mph. Owner applied the brakes and the brakes went to the floor. Owner says that the front right brake hose line popped right off. Causing the vehicle to lose all brake pressure preventing the vehicle from stopping. Provide further details. *nm”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2005
“Tl*the contact owns a 1992 ford aerostar. The contact stated that the ground wires are shorting out the brake lights and other wires underneath the dashboard. He also stated that his windows are not working. Ford stated that nothing could be done because his VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated that he has been burned by the failed wires. The recall # was unknown. The current mileage is 171,000 and failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2005
“Driver's side rear tire experienced a tread separation while driving 60-65 mph, with two adults and one child in a ford aerostar 1992 van. The tire remained inflated. Aftermarket equipment, installed at 136,671 miles, tire size p215/70r14, dot# dbhyc2423000. *ak *nm”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2004
“Seat back bolts sheared for unknown reasons. Bought used. But, no reported of previous accidents. We had noticed some 'looseness' in the seat back. But, attributed it to wear in the latch positioning device. When the last bolt sheared the seat back gave way dropping the driver to a reclining position. *ak”Owner report · Seats · May 2004
“Mastercraft a/s iv p215/75r14 tire failed on right rear while travelling between 65-70 mph on interstate. Tread separated from tire while tire remained inflated. Tread caused damage to interior of wheel well and exhaust pipe.*ak this was the second incidence on this vehicle for the same brand & model tire as there was a previous failure of the same type several years ago with same model tire. Please note that under tires your web site does not allow me to choose the correct size as there are only two choices.”Owner report · Tires · Nov 2003
“Consumer states that while driving at any speed and with no warning ehicle will shut off, causing consumer to pull over, and it will be hard to get the vehicle back started.dealer notified.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2003
“First started out a couple of months ago. Headlights would flicker off and then back on. I figured it was nothing. Now the headlights flicker every 30-60 seconds, can not drive vehicle at night, have already been pulled over by police because of it. I explained to the officer there must be a problem with the headlights. *jb”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 29 of these complaints and injuries in 52 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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. FLUID EXPLUSION, DRIVESHAFT SEPARATION OR LOSS OF VEHICLE DRIVE CAN RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TRANSFER CASE REAR OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING AND AN ALUMINUM DRIVESHAFT WILL BE INSTALLED.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER MINIVANS. (THIS INCLUDES ALL 1992 AWD AEROSTARS NOT PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN SAFETY RECALL 97V-204/97S83). 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. FLUID EXPLUSION, DRIVESHAFT SEPARATION OR LOSS OF VEHICLE DRIVE CAN RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TRANSFER CASE REAR OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING AND AN ALUMINUM DRIVESHAFT WILL BE INSTALLED.
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE.
Remedy: AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED/INSTALLED FOR REPLACEMENT.
How other years compare
Check your exact Aerostar by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1992 Ford Aerostar reliable?
NHTSA has 317 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Ford Aerostar. The most complained-about area is power train (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1992 Ford Aerostar problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 147,841 miles or less.
Does the 1992 Ford Aerostar have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive). Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.