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NHTSA recalls, safety ratings, and consumer complaints for the 1989 Ford Aerostar.
NHTSA has not published 5-star crash-test ratings for the 1989 Ford Aerostar. New vehicles are often added to the NCAP rating program after initial release; check nhtsa.gov/ratings for the latest status.
Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SEAT ASSEMBLY HAS A TILT FORWARD FUNCTION. A LATCH RETAINS THE SEAT IN THE NORMAL RIDE POSTION, AND THIS LATCH MAY RELEASE UNDER SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT CONDITIONS, ALLOWING THE SEAT TO PIVOT FORWARD.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT COULD PIVOTFORWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: REPLACE SEAT PAWL ASSEMBLY WITH A REVISED DESIGN ASSEMBLY.
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
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.
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.
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.
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA (10 SOUTHERN COUNTIES OF LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, SAN BERNADINO, SAN DIEGO, RIVERSIDE, VENTURA, SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, IMPERIAL, AND KERN), FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA (CLARK COUNTY), OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TEXAS, AND IN THE U.S. TERRITORIES COVERED BY THE FEDERAL STATUTES. THE UPPER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK CAN DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS DUE TO EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO VERY HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. FUEL VAPOR OR LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AT THESE CRACKS.
Consequence: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, THROUGH MARCH 31, 2002. THIS COVERAGE WILL ONLY BE FOR STRUCTURAL CRACKS AT THE TOP OF THE TANK AND WILL NOT INCLUDE OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY AN ACCIDENT OR ROAD DEBRIS.
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BAR FOR REAR SOFA FAILED TO SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210.
Consequence: VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210.
Remedy: REPLACE NONCOMPLYING SOFA BAR WITH BAR THAT MEETS REQUIREMENTS.
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.
Consequence: DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OFGEAR UNINTENTIONALLY, VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHEN PARKED ON A SLOPED SURFACE, ANDINADVERTENT MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS CANRESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.
MY FORD AEROSTAR CAUGHT FIRE LAST NIGHT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. MY DAUGHTER HAD RETURNED FROM SCHOOL AND PARKED IT IN THE DRIVEWAY. APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS LATER, A NEIGHBOR RANG THE DOOR BELL AND FRANTICALLY SAID "YOUR VAN IS ON FIRE". WE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS THERE WITHIN 3 MINUTES TO PUT IT OUT. *JB
BRAKE LINE NEXT TO GAS TANK FAILED ON HIGHWAY, BRAKING ABILITY WAS GREATLY REDUCED. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 96V071000 CONCERNING THE IGNITION SWITCH. WHEN HE CONTACTED FORD, THEY COULD NOT FIND THE VIN. THIS STARTED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. THE SWITCH STARTED TO COME APART, CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. HE REPAIRED IT HIMSELF, AND IT IS CURRENTLY WORKING.*AK UPDATED 12/27/2005. *NM
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT BACK IN 1998 SHE HAD A ACCIDENT WITH HER FORD AEROSTAR. SHE STATED THAT WHEN SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND HIT THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND HIT A BUILDING. SHE SAID SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY IDLE AIR CONTROL. SHE SAID IT WAS REPAIRED AND SHE TOOK THE PART AND SENT IT TO THE MANUFACTURER. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS COME UP AGAIN AND SHE WAS ASKED TO BE A WITNESS, BECAUSE SOMEONE WAS KILLED, WHEN THEIR VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING. *JB IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE AIR BY PASS VALVE ASSEMBLY WAS NOT ONE OF FORD'S PARTS.
The 1989 Ford Aerostar has 6 NHTSA recalls and 289 consumer complaints on file. The high number of complaints suggests potential reliability concerns — review the complaint details above before purchasing. For the most detailed information about a specific vehicle, decode its VIN using our free decoder above.
Enter a specific VIN to get the full report — specs, recalls, safety ratings, complaints, investigations, and technical service bulletins.
NHTSA RECALL 98V190000 CONCERNING FUEL SYSTEM STORAGE TANK ASSEMBLY: CONSUMER INTERMITTENTLY SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. T CONSUMER EXAMINED THE GAS TANK AND FOUND THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK WHEN IT WAS FULL. MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL.*AK
THE MANUFACTURER WAS REFUSING TO HONOR RECALL 98V190000 FOR FUEL TANK CRACKS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY PERIOD ENDED. *AK
WE OWE A 1989 FORD AEROSTAR MINI-VAN THE LONG EDITION. WE HAVE HAD IT A LITTLE OVER YEAR. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS VECHICLE STALLING WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TO AND FROM WORK. IT HAPPENS A LOT MORE OFTEN WHEN IT IS COLD AS OPPOSED TO WHEN IT IS WARMER. *JB
CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK WHICH IS NOT ALLOWING THE CONSUMER TO FILL UP A FULL TANK OF GAS. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WARRENTY PERIOD FOR THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED. MR
ON JULY 2, 2002 THE TREAD CAME OFF THE TIRE WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. THE TIRE HAD 49,000 MILES ON IT AND IT WAS WARRANTIED FOR 80,000. IT CAUSED $2,700 IN DAMAGE. BRIDGESTONE CLAIMS THE TIRE WAS OPERATED W/ LOW AIR PRESSURE, THIS IS NOT TRUE! THE FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED BY PEP BOYS 6 MONTHS PRIOR DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. I AM HAVING BRIDGESTONE SEND ME THE TIRE BACK. I DO HAVE PHOTOS OF THE TIRE AND VAN DAMAGE. TS
CONSUMER STATES ENGINE WAS ON AND IN THE PARK POSITION, CONSUMER PRESSED BRAKE TO PUT VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF IN REVERSE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HIT TWO PARKED CARS AND WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB
TODAY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 1989 AEROSTAR AND SHE HAD THE ACCELERATOR GO DOWN UNDER HER FOOT BY IT'S SELF FOR NO PERCIEVED REASON. SO I STARTED TO LOOK ON INTERNET TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM. DEALER CLAIMS NEVER HEARD OF IT! IT SEEMS LIKE I REMEMBERED WATCHING 20/20 OR THAT CANADIAN PROGRAM AND THEY REPORTING ABOUT FORD CRUISE CONTROLS HAVING POWER ON AT ALL TIME AND THAT MOISTER PRESENT AT WIRE HARNESS PLUG THAT CONNECTS THOUGH FIRE WALL COULD CAUSE CRUISE CONTROL TO SUDDEN ACCELLERATE. *AK
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES. IT HAD BEEN RUNNING PERFECTLY WELL. I NOTICED A MINOR TRIPLE CLICK NOISE WHEN I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION BUT DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF ANYTHING OF IT. AFTER SITTING OFF FOR 30-45 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES HAVING STARTED FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH REPORTS OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ISSUE. WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL PRIOR TO LOOKING FOR IT AFTER OUR VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. FIREMEN INDICATE THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. BEST WAY TO CONTACT ME IS VIA CELLPHONE AT 706-399-7825.*AK
RECAL 96 V 071 000/ ELECTRICAL IGNITION SYSTEM: AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, ENGINE RACES AND VEHICLE OVERHEATS AND SMOKES. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. *AK THE MOTOR CONTINUE TO RUN AFTER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED. *YH
THE ALTERNATOR FAILED SHORT CIRCUIT. MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF CURRENT PASSED FROM THE BATTERY THROUGH THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FAULT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL DUE TO LACK OF IGNITION AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND STOP THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. SMOKE WAS POURING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I MANAGED TO STOP AND OPEN THE HOOD, THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH WAS GLOWING RED INSIDE, BURST INTO FLAMES AND SET FIRE TO CABLES AND RUBBER HOSES AROUND IT. I RECEIVED BURNS TO MY HANDS TRYING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. LUCKY FOR ME ANOTHER MOTORIST STOPPED AND HE HAD AN EXTINGUISHER. I HAVE NOW HAD TWO FIRES OF THIS TYPE, ONE ON EACH OF MY VEHICLES. YESTERDAY I WENT TO AN ALTERNATOR REMANUFACTURING COMPANY HERE IN MONTERREY, AND THE MANGER TOLD ME THAT HE HAS HAD FIVE ENGINE BAY FIRES IN AEROSTAR MINIVANS IN RECENT MONTHS. IN THE 'GOOD OLD DAYS' UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A FUSIBLE LINK BETWEEN THE ALTERNATOR CHARGING LINE AND THE BATTERY + TERMINAL. THERE SHOULD BE A FUSE IN THIS CIRCUIT BECAUSE IT IS CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE BATTERY!! NOT ONLY IS THE FIRE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS A SERIOUS RISK IN THE EVENT OF THIS FAULT, THAT THE OVERLOAD ON THE BATTERY WILL CAUSE IT TO BURST, SHOWERING EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE AROUND IT WITH HOT SULFURIC ACID. PLEASE NOTE ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN THE USA I AM CURRENTLY LIVING IN MONTERREY, MEXICO. MY PHONE IS 01152-8-349-7152 AND EMAIL IS OLDVINYL@HOTMAIL.COM. *AK
Showing 15 of 289 complaints