Carlexica

1995 Ford Aerostar: problems, recalls and reliability

7 recalls and 157 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (21% of complaints); the 1997 model year looks more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2006

7
recalls
157
owner complaints
19
fire reports
144,000
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

Problems tend to appear late (median 144,000 mi)Weak spot: electrical system (21%)19 fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 157 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)21% · 33 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)13% · 20 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)8% · 13 complaints
Visibility (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)6% · 9 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)6% · 9 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)5% · 8 complaints
Tl* the contact owns a 1995 ford aerostar. After refueling the vehicle, the contact detected a strong fuel odor around the vehicle. The contact discovered that the fuel tank was leaking fuel. In addition, the fuel strap and the fuel inlet were cracked. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 165,000.Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2014
Tl*the contact owns a 1995 ford aerostar. While driving 20 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact opened the hood and noticed that the fuel lines were extremely hot before they burst into flames. The contact sustained a burned right hand. The fire department stated that the fuel pump caused the fire. A police report was filed. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 99v028000 (electrical system: wiring: front under hood). The current and failure mileages were 150,000.Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2007
Went to install car seat in three row, passenger side and the seat belt came unlatched. It will not stay buckled at all. Went to a dealership and they want to charge us over $100 for buckle and an hours worth of labor. We are due in 2 weeks with third child and that is the only spot left in the van that the car seat fits in. *nmOwner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2006
Show 7 more owner reports
Dt: the caller said ignition failed. She said a year ago that the vehicle started by itself without a key. She stated that currently she had intermittent trouble starting the vehicle. The lights on the dashboard will come on but the vehicle will not start. Dealer said vehicle was not recalled. They will not help her for free. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet. *ak *nmOwner report · Electrical System · Sep 2005
The vehicle was parked in the office parking lot. Suddenly a customer notified the consumer that there was a vehicle fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The manufacture will make contact with the consumer for inspection. *nm *nmOwner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2005
The interior of the dash board caught fire on its own, while the vehicle was parked. Manufacturer will be contacted by consumer. *nmOwner report · Electrical System · Feb 2005
Consumer attempted to get the vehicle recall 99v029000 repaired. However, the dealer kept giving the consumer excuses why they could not fix the ignition switch. *ak *sc *jbOwner report · Electrical System · Apr 2004
Headlights go off and on. Use to only happen while on high beam. But is now doing it on low beam. This is the second ford I have owned to do this.*akOwner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2004
Rear passenger wheel came off of 1995 ford aerostar ext van. The wheel included the rear brake drum and broke the axle, resulting in a crash into the highway median at 60mph.Owner report · Wheels · Sep 2003
While driving, the driver's side door panel began smoking and then caught fire without warning. The consumer put out the flames, but the panel kept smoking. The ground wire to the power windows had to be cut to stop the panel from smoking. *jb the burned switch assembly was repaired on the left side door. *sccOwner report · Electrical System · Apr 2003

When filing, owners marked a crash in 16 of these complaints and injuries in 19 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 7 campaigns

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)97V204000 · Nov 1997

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC06E022000 · Mar 2006

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD99V028000 · Feb 1999

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:SWITCH99V029000 · Feb 1999

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:OTHER:LABELS95V037000 · Feb 1995

THE CERTIFICATION LABEL ON THESE VEHICLES HAVE INCORRECT REAR TIRE SIZES LISTED. P215/70R14SL SHOULD BE P215/75R14SL. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED A SUPPLEMENTARY LABEL CONTAINING THE CORRECT REAR TIRE INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THE LABEL ON THEIR VEHICLES. IF OWNERS PREFER, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK94V239000 · Dec 1994

THE SPARE TIRE SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLE CAN CONTACT THE BRAKE LINES ON THE REAR AXLE IF IT IS MOUNTED IN THE UNDERBODY SPARE TIRE CARRIER. SUCH CONTACT COULD RESULT IN FRACTURE OF A REAR BRAKE LINE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOWER PROFILE MINI-SPARE TIRE ON THE EXISTING MINI-SPARE WHEEL. THE NEW TIRE WILL ALLOW THE MINI-SPARE TO BE INSTALLED WITH APPROPRIATE CLEARANCES IN THE UNDERBODY SPARE TIRE CARRIER.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR98E010000 · Apr 1998

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.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 1995 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Drive type4x2
Body stylesCargo Van · Minivan

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 decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 1995 Ford Aerostar reliable?

NHTSA has 157 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1995 Ford Aerostar. The most complained-about area is electrical system (21% of complaints).

At what mileage do 1995 Ford Aerostar problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 144,000 miles or less.

Does the 1995 Ford Aerostar have open recalls?

7 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.