1997 Ford Aerostar: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 63 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (19% of complaints).
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 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Observed full crack on aluminum wheel rim spoke. This is standard aluminum wheel from manufacturer. Serious safety issue. This problem same as http://www.motorbeat.com/complaint/438440/. *tr this is the second rim that this problem has occurred. Another rim failed in the same manner one year ago. Replaced.”Owner report · Wheels · Jun 2009
“Need to know were to start to get all the problems on my van taken care of all the recalls, of power train the electrical and whatever else was reported to me on my report of the recalls on this 1997 areostar van thank you maryjean. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2008
“I was given this van with a handicapped lift as a present from some people at our church. Ever since I got it the engine light has been on. I've had it checked several times but no one seems to know how to fix it. Another problem I've been having is that the left front tire wears out more quickly than the other three. We've had it balanced several times but we still have that problem even with new tires. Since I am handicapped and use an electric wheelchair if a tire blows out I may not be able to get out using the ramp lift that was installed and the same applies to the engine. How do I know if the engine has something wrong with it if the light is on all the time? *tr”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“1997 aerostar rear hatch: 1 of 2 anchor studs which support the tail hatch pneumatic spring (vehicle body end) broke, allowing the hatch to immediately fall on to operator. Although there are 2 pneumatic supports, 1 is insuffcient to support the weight of the hatch. Similar experience with 1994 model.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jul 2005
“When accelerating consumer had to depress the gas pedal several times to get the vehicle to move. When the vehicle moved the throttle got stuck, and revved very high. Dealer informed the consumer that the throttle linkage had a sticking problem. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2003
“Consumer's husband discovered that one of the rims had cracked in three places. *la another rim was found with cracks in three places as well. *sc *jb”Owner report · Wheels · Nov 2003
“Consumer took vehicle to the dealership for inspection, and mechanic determined that two front rims cracked. *ak consumer called ford motor company and said that they won't address the problem because it's not on warranty or recall. However, consumer replaced both rims. *la”Owner report · Wheels · Oct 2003
“While traveling on the highway at approximately 70 mph, the tread on the rear driver's side tire separated rapidly, which resulted in complete destruction of the tire. *ak the wheel well and bumper were damaged as a result of the tire failure. The tire was replaced and it failed again while traveling on the highway. The wheel well and bumper was again damaged. *ph *jb”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2003
“Consumer noticed that rear driver's side rim spokes are cracked. Vehicle did not hit anything. *ak four spokes were cracked completely threw. Any more and consumer faced loss of wheel from the vehicle. Consumer had the spare put on and rim replaced. Consumer learned a particular dealership sells one or more to other customers with the same problem. One particular customer went to the dealership with three defective rims. *ph”Owner report · Wheels · Jul 2003
“Vehicle will not run properly due to the transfer case being defective. There is a loud noise when driving. Contacted dealer, and the dealer noted that vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. *ak *yh”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - 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: 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.
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 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 1997 Ford Aerostar reliable?
NHTSA has 63 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Ford Aerostar. The most complained-about area is electrical system (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Aerostar problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 99,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 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.