PlainCars

FORD AEROSTAR · model year

1987 FORD AEROSTAR

140 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1987FORDAEROSTAR carries 140 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 53 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 1987 AEROSTAR is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 16 filings, followed by seat belts:front:buckle assembly (15) and power train:automatic transmission (14). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.

NHTSA currently has 179 investigation files overlapping the 1987 AEROSTAR, and 6 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

140
Complaints
7
Crashes
53
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

140 filings

Crashes Reported

7 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE16
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY15
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING4
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT3
SEATS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2

Recent Complaints

20031002POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THREE TRANSMISSION. *NLM

20020820SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

PASSENGER'S SEAT BACK FAILED, STAYING IN THE RECLINING POSITION DUE TO METAL FRAME INSIDE SEATBACK BREAKING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

20020213SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DISENAGES FROM THE LOCKING MECHANISM. *JG

20010910FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. PULLED OVER AND LIFTED UP HOOD. NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL WIRING. BEFORE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS IN FLAMES. FRONT OF VEHICLE/ INSIDE AND OUTSIDE WAS TOTALED.*AK

20010416ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED AND AT ANY TIME. TO DEALER TWICE, CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK

20010330FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE OFF WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED FIRE STARTED ON LEFT HAND SIDE OF ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

20010301FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

VAN CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK

20010125FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD. *AK

20010125FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD. *AK

20001219EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

TAPE PLAYER FAILED. *MJS

20001219POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *MJS

20001219SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES HAVE FAILED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. *MJS

20001002ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

WE HAVE HAD THE CONTROL MODULE REPLACED A MINIMUM OF 5 TIME (RECEIPTS ON HAND), EACH TIME THE VAN STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS CAUSED MANY NEAR CRASHES AND MUCH FUSTRATION ONLY THE ALERTNESS THAT THE VAN STALLS PREVENTED ANY BODILY HARM. SEVERAL FORD DEALERSHIPS DENY ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CONTROL MODULE ON THIS VAN AND NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER. *AK

20001002ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

WE HAVE HAD THE CONTROL MODULE REPLACED A MINIMUM OF 5 TIME (RECEIPTS ON HAND), EACH TIME THE VAN STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS CAUSED MANY NEAR CRASHES AND MUCH FUSTRATION ONLY THE ALERTNESS THAT THE VAN STALLS PREVENTED ANY BODILY HARM. SEVERAL FORD DEALERSHIPS DENY ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CONTROL MODULE ON THIS VAN AND NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER. *AK

20000927VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH SURGES FORWARD WHEN STARTING. INTERMITTENTLY, PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND UNABLE TO LOCATE/CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

20000918CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SEPTEMBER 11, 2000. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY. *AK

20000616STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

RECALL 91V13 000/HATCHBACK HYDRAULIC CYLINDER: TRUCK CYLINDER: VEHICLE REAR DOOR WOULD NOT STAY OPEN DUE TO HYDRAULIC CYLINDER FAILURE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE RECALL WAS HONORED ONLY AT TIME OF WHEN IT WAS ISSUED, AND NOTHING ELSE WOULD BE DONE UNLESS COST WOULD GO TO CONSUMER. *AK

20000217POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

19991018FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHEN VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ,AND THE HOOD WAS OPENED, CONSUMER NOTICED SPARKS AND LOTS OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. RECALL 88VO91000. *AK

19990929FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VAN BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED. FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE WHOLE VAN WAS BURNT, NOTHING WAS LEFT BUT THE FRAMEOF THE VEHICLE AND THE TWO REAR TIRES. *AK

Compare 1987FORDAEROSTAR to Similar Vehicles

AEROSTAR vs VOLKSWAGENTIGUAN → AEROSTAR vs CADILLACCTS → AEROSTAR vs KIASEPHIA → AEROSTAR vs FORDTHUNDERBIRD →

NHTSA Investigations 6 Open

EA26004Engineering AnalysisOpen

Timing Belt Failure

DP26004Defect PetitionOpen

Anti-lock brake system (ABS) Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated

EA26001Engineering AnalysisOpen

Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up

PE25020Preliminary EvaluationClosed

Timing Belt Failure

DP25001Defect PetitionClosed

Underbody shields detachment

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1987 FORD AEROSTAR have?▼
The 1987 FORD AEROSTAR has 140 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 53 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1987 FORD AEROSTAR?▼
The most-complained component for the 1987 FORD AEROSTAR is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE with 16 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1987 FORD AEROSTAR safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Understanding NHTSA Complaints → Vehicle Recalls Explained → Safest Car Brands 2026 → Most Reliable Used Cars → Lemon Law Guide →

Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 1987 FORD AEROSTAR; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.