Total Complaints
541 filings
FORD AEROSTAR · model year
541 NHTSA complaints, 45 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1993FORDAEROSTAR carries 541 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 45 crashes, 49 fires, 40 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 1993 AEROSTAR is electrical system:ignition:switch with 48 filings, followed by equipment:appliance:air conditioner (24) and air bags:frontal (22). 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 1993 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.
Total Complaints
541 filings
Crashes Reported
45 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 48 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 24 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 22 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT | 21 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 19 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 17 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 17 |
| AIR BAGS | 15 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 13 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 12 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 12 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 12 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 10 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 10 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 10 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD AEROSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THERE WAS A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE AND THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION TRANSFER CASE WAS FRACTURED AND FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD AEROSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.
Mileage: 169,000
BACKED INTO PINE TREE IN DRIVEWAY. SHATTERED PLASTIC BUMPER COVER. CAN NOT REPLACE BUMPER COVER BECAUSE FORD SAYS OBSOLETE. ALSO NO AFTER MARKET BUMPER CAN BE FOUND FOR THIS MODEL. THIS BUMPER PROTECTS NO ONE. *JS FORD WON'T EVEN GIVE ME THE FORD PART NUMBER. ITS A CARGO VAN. OTHER MODEL COVERS CAN BE BOUGHT FROM AFTER MARKET SELLERS BUT NOT THE CARGO VAN. ONLY PLACE TO GET ONE IS JUNK YARDS IF YOU ARE GET LUCKY. MOST OF THEIR COVERS ARE BUSTED ALSO. A CAR IS A HAZARD WITHOUT A BUMPER. *JS
Mileage: 100,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD AEROSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND AND HE COULD FEEL A PULSATION IN THE DASHBOARD; THERE WERE ALSO ELECTRICAL SHORTAGES. HE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT RECALL 99V029000 AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HE ALSO CONSULTED THE MANUFACTURER AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,705. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,670. UPDATED 02/22/11
Mileage: 144,670
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD AEROSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS 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; THEREFORE, CREATING A SHORT CIRCUIT AND ALLOWING CURRENT TO FLOW THROUGH THE GROUND WIRE. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, HE NOTICED THAT THE SWITCH MODULE MELTED AND THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL LIGHTING WAS INOPERATIVE. AS A RESULT, THE RISK OF A SEVERE FIRE INCREASED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V029000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Mileage: 168,000
BOUGHT FOUR TIRES: SIGMA SHADOW. 55,000 MILES WARRANTY. 215/75R14, 6K60, AT TIRE KINGDOM LOCATED AT: 8790 SW 24TH ST. MIAMI, FL. 33165. TELEPHONE 305 227 4110. *TR ON OCT. 22, 2007 THE REAR RIGHT TIRE BLEWOUT. THE TIRE HAD 7,194 MILES. TIRE KINGDOM GAVE ME TWO TIRES WHICH THEY INSTALLED IN THE FRONT. ON NOV. 19, 2007 ANOTHER TIRE BLEWOUT. THIS TIRE HAD 10,550 MILES. THIS LAST INCIDENT HAPPENED IN HOUSTON. I WENT TO NTB (PART OF THE SAME COMPANY) LOCATED AT: 7115 FM 1960 ROAD WEST. TELEPHONE 281- 580-1689. I TALKED TO THE MGR. MR. FRED JOHNSON. I SHOWED HIM THE BLOWNOUT TIRE, ALL THE PAPERS ETC..AND ASKED HIM TO REPLACE THE BLOWNOUT TIRE PLUS THE OTHER ORIGINAL TIRE. HE SAID THAT HE WOULD ONLY REPLACE THE BLOWNOUT TIRE, HE DID NOT HAVE THE TIRE IN STOCK SO I HAD TO RETURN. SINCE HE DID NOT WANT TO REPLACE THE TWO ORIGINAL TIRES, I ASKED HIM FOR THE NAME AND TELEPHONE OF THE DISTRICT MGR. HE TOLD ME THAT HIS NAME WAS ARTHAY BENTON AND HIS TELEPHONE 1-865-951-4622. I CALLED MR. B
Mileage: 7,194
JUST GOT HOME AND WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. ABOUT 30 MIN LATER SOMEONE WAS KNOCKING ON ARE DOOR TELLING US THE VAN WAS ON FIRE. THERE WAS NO KEYS LEFT IN THE VAN. THE FIRE BURN THE DASH AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE AND THE HOOD. THE VAN IS NOW TOTAL. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON CHANGING BOTH THE FUEL FILTER AND THE OIL FILTER, THE VEHICLE MADE A KNOCKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
Mileage: 146,000
CONSUMER REQUESTING INFORMATION ON RECALLS FOR 1993 FORD AEROSTAR. *TS *JB
AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING CONSTANTLY, THEN HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. NOISE IN COLUMN SOUNDS LIKE LOOSE WIRES FLOPPING.
Mileage: 189,000
AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING CONSTANTLY, THEN HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. NOISE IN COLUMN SOUNDS LIKE LOOSE WIRES FLOPPING.
Mileage: 189,000
AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING CONSTANTLY, THEN HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. NOISE IN COLUMN SOUNDS LIKE LOOSE WIRES FLOPPING.
Mileage: 189,000
AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING CONSTANTLY, THEN HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. NOISE IN COLUMN SOUNDS LIKE LOOSE WIRES FLOPPING.
Mileage: 189,000
THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN HER 1993 FORD AEROSTAR IN WHICH THE VEHICLE ROLLED FOUR TIMES. NONE OF THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *NM THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED LIFE THREATENING INJURIES INCLUDING A BROKEN BONE IN HER BACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE CONSUMER HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THEM. *NM
BRAKE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY SHORTING OUT. I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM 2 OR MORE TIMES PER YEAR. I USE LONG-LIFE BULBS, BUT THEY CONTINUALLY GO OUT. I SEE MANY OTHER AEROSTAR VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR SITUATION. WHILE THIS HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT YET, UNLESS I CONSTANTLY CHECK THE LIGHTS, I MAY BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND/OR TICKET DUE TO THIS DEFECT. *NM
Mileage: 175,000
WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DO SO. WHILE OPENING THE HOOD, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB RECALL CAMPAIGN; NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 99V029000. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EDGE OF THE HOOD. AFTER HE OPENED THE HOOD HE SAW A SMALL FIRE AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE. *TC
Mileage: 150,000
HEADLIGHTS SWITCH BURNED OUT TWICE. THE CONNECTOR TO THE SWITCH KEPT BURNING. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO HELP.*AK
Mileage: 149,000
WHILE TURNING LEFT IN AN INTERSECTION THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP ON MY AEROSTAR FORD '93 THAT CAUSED ME TO TURN OVER TO THE LEFT AND HIT THE OPPOSITE LANE AND HIT A CAR. I WAS UNABLE TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE WHEEL AS IT LOCKS UP. AFTER IT WAS RESTARTED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FINE AND 2 MECHANICS THAT I BROUGHT IT TO CAN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS.*JB
Mileage: 91,400
THE FRONT END NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED BECAUSE NEW TIRES WERE INSTALLED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE FRONT LEFT BALL JOINT AND INNER TIE ROD WERE WORN. *JB
THE FRONT END NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED BECAUSE NEW TIRES WERE INSTALLED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE FRONT LEFT BALL JOINT AND INNER TIE ROD WERE WORN. *JB
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
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.