1993 Ford Aerostar: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 374 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (24% of complaints); the 1991 and 1995 model years look 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 374 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 ford aerostar. While driving at approximately 80 mph, there was a vibration coming from the driver side and there was fluid leaking from the vehicle. The contact noticed that the transmission transfer case was fractured and fluid was leaking. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2015
“Backed into pine tree in driveway. Shattered plastic bumper cover. Can not replace bumper cover because ford says obsolete. Also no after market bumper can be found for this model. This bumper protects no one. *js ford won't even give me the ford part number. Its a cargo van. Other model covers can be bought from after market sellers but not the cargo van. Only place to get one is junk yards if you are get lucky. Most of their covers are busted also. A car is a hazard without a bumper. *js”Owner report · Structure · May 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 ford aerostar. The contact stated that the key became lodged in the ignition. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 169,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1993 ford aerostar. The contact stated that he noticed electrical problems. There was a clicking sound and he could feel a pulsation in the dashboard; there were also electrical shortages. He called the dealership about recall 99v029000 and was told that his vehicle was not included in the recall. He also consulted the manufacturer and it was confirmed that the vehicle was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired to-date. The current mileage was 144,705. The failure mileage was approximately 144,670. Updated 02/22/11”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2009
“Just got home and was parked in front of the house. About 30 min later someone was knocking on are door telling us the van was on fire. There was no keys left in the van. The fire burn the dash and the right side of the inside of the engine and the hood. The van is now total. *nm”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated upon changing both the fuel filter and the oil filter, the vehicle made a knocking noise while driving 20 mph. The vehicle was taken to a private repair shop who was unable to determine the cause of the problem.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2006
“Air bag light started flashing constantly, then horn and cruise control stopped working. Noise in column sounds like loose wires flopping.”Owner report · Steering · May 2005
“Brake lights constantly shorting out. I have to replace them 2 or more times per year. I use long-life bulbs, but they continually go out. I see many other aerostar vehicles with similar situation. While this has not caused an accident yet, unless I constantly check the lights, I may be involved in an accident and/or ticket due to this defect. *nm”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2005
“While driving 15 mph, the vehicle stalled. The consumer tried to restart the vehicle and was able to do so. While opening the hood, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection. The cause has not been determined. Please provide further details. *jb recall campaign; NHTSA campaign id number : 99v029000. The consumer stated that he saw smoke coming out of the edge of the hood. After he opened the hood he saw a small fire at the rear of the engine. *tc”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2004
“While turning left in an intersection the steering wheel lock up on my aerostar ford '93 that caused me to turn over to the left and hit the opposite lane and hit a car. I was unable to straighten out the wheel as it locks up. After it was restarted the steering wheel was fine and 2 mechanics that I brought it to can't find any problems.*jb”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 37 of these complaints and injuries in 35 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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.
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 1993 Ford Aerostar reliable?
NHTSA has 374 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Ford Aerostar. The most complained-about area is electrical system (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Ford Aerostar problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 145,335 miles or less.
Does the 1993 Ford Aerostar have open recalls?
4 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.