Total Complaints
254 filings
FORD AEROSTAR · model year
1990 FORD AEROSTAR
254 NHTSA complaints, 32 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1990FORDAEROSTAR carries 254 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 32 crashes, 65 fires, 25 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1990 AEROSTAR is electrical system:ignition:switch with 23 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (18) and fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (18). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 1990 AEROSTAR, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
254
Complaints
32
Crashes
65
Fires
25
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
32 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 23 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 18 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 18 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 14 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 14 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 13 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 11 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 9 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 8 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH | 8 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 4 |
| TIRES | 4 |
Recent Complaints
20100412CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1990 FORD AEROSTAR. CONSUMER STATES SUDDEN ACCELERATION NEARLY 20 YEARS AGO, THAT CAUSED OVER $1,000 IN DAMAGE. TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. *JB
20051104FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
1990 FORD AEROSTAR HAD CRACK IN FUEL TANK CAUSING CONSUMER TO REPLACE THE TANK. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN DEC 1998 REGARDING THE GAS TANK, HOWEVER AT THE TIME HE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS TANK. THE CONSUMER IS NOW REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE GAS TANK THAT HE HAD TO REPLACE. *JB
Mileage: 142,143
20050801FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
MY 1990 FORD AEROSTAR WAS LEAKING GASOLINE. THE FUMES WOULD OVERCOME YOU WHILE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE VAN SAT FOR A SHORT TIME GAS WOULD BE ALL OVER THE GROUND FROM THE LEAK. I PAID A FORD DEALER TO REPLACE THE TANK NOT KNOWING THERE WAS A RECALL. THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY WAS IMPORTANT ENOUGH THAT I PAID THIS MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET. NOW FORD IS TELLING ME THAT MY VIN DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. SO I AM NOT EVEN ELIGIBLE FOR A REIMBURSEMENT. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU CARING FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL DRIVERS. *NM THE ASSIGNED IDENTIFICATION NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V-190000 FORD RECALL NO. 98M03. *TT THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CRACKED GAS TANK. FORD WILL NOT REFUND THE MONEY AND WILL NOT HELP. *SC
20050616SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
BRAKING SYSTEM -- MASTER CYLINDER
20050616FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
BRAKING SYSTEM -- MASTER CYLINDER
20050616STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
BRAKING SYSTEM -- MASTER CYLINDER
20050616ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
BRAKING SYSTEM -- MASTER CYLINDER
20050506UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CONSUMER REQUESTING INFORMATION ON WHETHER OR NOT THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR VAN. *MR THE RECALLS ARE AS FOLLOWED: #96V071000, 98V190000, 91V189000, 91V164000, 90V144000, 98E010000, 98E010000 AND A RECALL ON THE TIRE TEMPORARY SPARE. *SC
20040627CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED IN PARK AND VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY. THERE WAS NO NOTICES OF SUCH A RECALL OR ANY OTHER RECALLS, FOR THIS VEHICLE. 1990 FORD AEROSTAR. *JB
20040618CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INDICATED THAT THE INCIDENT WAS INCONCLUSIVE. THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION RECALL 91V189000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *SC *JB
Mileage: 60,000
20040618CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INDICATED THAT THE INCIDENT WAS INCONCLUSIVE. THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION RECALL 91V189000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *SC *JB
Mileage: 60,000
20040610SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURES DESCRIBED IN THE MASTER CYLINDER PISTONS RECALL 89V223000. IN ADDITION, THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. ALSO, THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL 96V071000 BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Mileage: 12,000
20040610ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURES DESCRIBED IN THE MASTER CYLINDER PISTONS RECALL 89V223000. IN ADDITION, THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. ALSO, THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL 96V071000 BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Mileage: 12,000
20040422POWER TRAIN
I JUST GOT MY TRANSMISSION FIXED BUT THE PROBLEM WAS I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE FORD AEROSTAR HAS BEEN RECALLED... UNTIL NOW I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SOMETIMES NO SHIFTING, REVERSE ALWAYS HAVE A PROBLEM AND LATE SHIFTING (FORWARD).. I'M JUST WONDERING IF MY VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED? CAN FORD DEALER FIX MY VAN WITHOUT ANY COST?
Mileage: 170,000
20031121CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE REAR ANTI LOCK BRAKES HAVE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO LOCK. AS A RESULT THE STEERING LOCK AND THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. NO REPORT OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
Mileage: 190,000
20030726POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK
20030122FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
NHTSARECALL 98-V-190-000 CONCERNING UPPER PORTION OF FUEL TANK THAT CAN DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS DUE TO EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO VERY HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. FUEL VAPOR OR LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AT THESE CRACKS. CONSUMER HADTHE RECALL LETTER, BUT MANUFACTURER DIDN'T HONOR IT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.TS. *AK
20021220FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATES THE SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL #98V190000 FUEL TANK CRACKS. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. TS
20021114FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V190000 FUEL TANK; THE VAN WAS TAKEN IN AS A SERVICE CAMPAIGN BY FORD FOR THE FUEL TANK BACK IN 1999. AFTER INSPECTING THE FUEL TANK, THE DEALER TOLD HER THE TANK WAS FINE AND DIDN'T REPLACE IT. NOW IN 2002, THE FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED SEVERAL CRACKS WHICH THE FORD DEALERSHIP WILL NO LONGER HONOR THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN DUE TO AN "EXPIRATION DATE". PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS
20020905TIRES
WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT FRONT AND LEFT REAR TIRES BLEWOUT, THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, FUT TUR SE, P215/70R14, DOT NUMBER VDHYNMA396. *SLC
Compare 1990FORDAEROSTAR to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 8 Open
EA26001Engineering AnalysisOpen
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
PE25020Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Timing Belt Failure
DP25001Defect PetitionOpen
Underbody shields detachment
PE25007Preliminary EvaluationOpen
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
PE25002Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1990 FORD AEROSTAR have?▼
The 1990 FORD AEROSTAR has 254 NHTSA complaints, 32 crashes, 65 fires, 25 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 FORD AEROSTAR?▼
The most-complained component for the 1990 FORD AEROSTAR is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH with 23 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY.
Is the 1990 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
Data as of 2025. 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.