Total Complaints
384 filings
FORD AEROSTAR · model year
1994 FORD AEROSTAR
384 NHTSA complaints, 28 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994FORDAEROSTAR carries 384 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 28 crashes, 33 fires, 42 injuries, and 8 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 1994 AEROSTAR is air bags with 28 filings, followed by electrical system:ignition:switch (23) and air bags:frontal (16). 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 1994 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.
384
Complaints
28
Crashes
33
Fires
42
Injuries
8
Deaths
Crashes Reported
28 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 28 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 23 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 16 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 15 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT | 14 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 12 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 12 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 11 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 9 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 8 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 7 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 7 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 7 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 6 |
Recent Complaints
20171025AIR BAGS
AIRBAG (CODE 13 AND 51) LIGHTS FLASHING
20171025SEAT BELTS
AIRBAG (CODE 13 AND 51) LIGHTS FLASHING
20130812FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VAN HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS OR SO, AROUND THE LOCAL CITY COMMUNITIES. VAN HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES, WHEN NEIGHBORS NOTIFIED ME OF FIRE. INTENSE FIRE WAS COMING FROM DRIVER'S SIDE/WINDSHIELD/IGNITION/FRONT SEAT AREA, EVENTUALLY CONSUMING ENTIRE INTERIOR OF VAN. NORFOLK FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES, OR SO, STATION ONLY ABOUT 150 YARDS FROM MY RESIDENCE. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OR SO, BUT THE VAN WAS COMPLETELY CONSUMED BY FIRE AND TOTALLY DESTROYED BY THEN. VAN WAS JUNKED/SALVAGED. PAID ONLY $100.00 FOR SALVAGE/JUNK/TOWING, ETC. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH MY VAN. VAN ONLY HAD 93000 MILES. HAD PURCHASED NEW FROM FREEDOMS FORD IN NORFOLK, VA. INFORMED BY ASSOCIATE THAT I SHOULD REPORT THIS "FIRE HAZARD/PROBLEM," BECAUSE OTHER 1994 FORD AEROSTAR VANS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR "FIRE PROBLEMS/INCIDENTS/REPORTS," AND THE LIKE. PLEASE INFORM ME OF WHAT ACTIONS I NEED TO TAKE TO RECOUP SOME MONETARY V
Mileage: 93,000
20120613ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAD THE CLOCK RING REPAIRED (YEAR 2000)DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON. NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON ,THERE IS NO HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESNT WORK. THERE HAS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR
20090708FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WE WERE BEGINNING TO EXPERIENCE LOSS OF POWER. THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER WAS CHANGED. WE ARE STILL GETTING INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER, BUT WHAT MY CONCERN IS THAT I SAW A RECALL ON NHTSA: 99V028000. I WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS RECALL WHEN I VIEWED AN EPISODE OF COPS WHERE AN AEROSTAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I CALLED FORD IN TEMECULA CALIF AND NOW THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF ANY RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR OF AEROSTAR 1994 I DO HAVE KIDS AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT SAFETY MATTERS REMAIN ON THIS VAN. *TR
20090708ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WE WERE BEGINNING TO EXPERIENCE LOSS OF POWER. THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER WAS CHANGED. WE ARE STILL GETTING INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER, BUT WHAT MY CONCERN IS THAT I SAW A RECALL ON NHTSA: 99V028000. I WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS RECALL WHEN I VIEWED AN EPISODE OF COPS WHERE AN AEROSTAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I CALLED FORD IN TEMECULA CALIF AND NOW THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF ANY RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR OF AEROSTAR 1994 I DO HAVE KIDS AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT SAFETY MATTERS REMAIN ON THIS VAN. *TR
20080705AIR BAGS
ALL ELECTRONICS ON STEERING COLUMN DON'T WORK. AIR BAG SYSTEM FLASHES 3-2. NO AIRBAG (PRESUMABLY), CRUISE CONTROL OR HORN FUNCTION. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
20080705VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ALL ELECTRONICS ON STEERING COLUMN DON'T WORK. AIR BAG SYSTEM FLASHES 3-2. NO AIRBAG (PRESUMABLY), CRUISE CONTROL OR HORN FUNCTION. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
20080705ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALL ELECTRONICS ON STEERING COLUMN DON'T WORK. AIR BAG SYSTEM FLASHES 3-2. NO AIRBAG (PRESUMABLY), CRUISE CONTROL OR HORN FUNCTION. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
20080705ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
ALL ELECTRONICS ON STEERING COLUMN DON'T WORK. AIR BAG SYSTEM FLASHES 3-2. NO AIRBAG (PRESUMABLY), CRUISE CONTROL OR HORN FUNCTION. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
20080212SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, HAD TO REPLACED WITH READING SPRING WORKS, THEY HAD TO SEND THE SPECKS TO CHICAGO. MY FORD AERO STAR 4 WHEEL DRIVE & 4.0 V6 IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM AFTER MARKET. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO BUY NEW OR USED FORD SPRINGS WHICH ARE MADE IN CHINA. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ADMITS REPLACING COIL & LEAF SPRINGS ON SEVERAL MODELS. MIDAS WAS SO BUSY REPLACING FORD SPRINGS, THEY COULD NOT SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO INSTALL SPRINGS EVEN IF I HAD THE SPRINGS. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
20080212SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, HAD TO REPLACED WITH READING SPRING WORKS, THEY HAD TO SEND THE SPECKS TO CHICAGO. MY FORD AERO STAR 4 WHEEL DRIVE & 4.0 V6 IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM AFTER MARKET. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO BUY NEW OR USED FORD SPRINGS WHICH ARE MADE IN CHINA. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ADMITS REPLACING COIL & LEAF SPRINGS ON SEVERAL MODELS. MIDAS WAS SO BUSY REPLACING FORD SPRINGS, THEY COULD NOT SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO INSTALL SPRINGS EVEN IF I HAD THE SPRINGS. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
20080212ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, HAD TO REPLACED WITH READING SPRING WORKS, THEY HAD TO SEND THE SPECKS TO CHICAGO. MY FORD AERO STAR 4 WHEEL DRIVE & 4.0 V6 IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM AFTER MARKET. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO BUY NEW OR USED FORD SPRINGS WHICH ARE MADE IN CHINA. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ADMITS REPLACING COIL & LEAF SPRINGS ON SEVERAL MODELS. MIDAS WAS SO BUSY REPLACING FORD SPRINGS, THEY COULD NOT SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO INSTALL SPRINGS EVEN IF I HAD THE SPRINGS. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
20080212ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, HAD TO REPLACED WITH READING SPRING WORKS, THEY HAD TO SEND THE SPECKS TO CHICAGO. MY FORD AERO STAR 4 WHEEL DRIVE & 4.0 V6 IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM AFTER MARKET. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO BUY NEW OR USED FORD SPRINGS WHICH ARE MADE IN CHINA. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ADMITS REPLACING COIL & LEAF SPRINGS ON SEVERAL MODELS. MIDAS WAS SO BUSY REPLACING FORD SPRINGS, THEY COULD NOT SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO INSTALL SPRINGS EVEN IF I HAD THE SPRINGS. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
20080212ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID
FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, HAD TO REPLACED WITH READING SPRING WORKS, THEY HAD TO SEND THE SPECKS TO CHICAGO. MY FORD AERO STAR 4 WHEEL DRIVE & 4.0 V6 IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM AFTER MARKET. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO BUY NEW OR USED FORD SPRINGS WHICH ARE MADE IN CHINA. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ADMITS REPLACING COIL & LEAF SPRINGS ON SEVERAL MODELS. MIDAS WAS SO BUSY REPLACING FORD SPRINGS, THEY COULD NOT SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO INSTALL SPRINGS EVEN IF I HAD THE SPRINGS. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
20080212ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, HAD TO REPLACED WITH READING SPRING WORKS, THEY HAD TO SEND THE SPECKS TO CHICAGO. MY FORD AERO STAR 4 WHEEL DRIVE & 4.0 V6 IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM AFTER MARKET. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO BUY NEW OR USED FORD SPRINGS WHICH ARE MADE IN CHINA. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ADMITS REPLACING COIL & LEAF SPRINGS ON SEVERAL MODELS. MIDAS WAS SO BUSY REPLACING FORD SPRINGS, THEY COULD NOT SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO INSTALL SPRINGS EVEN IF I HAD THE SPRINGS. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
20080212EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, HAD TO REPLACED WITH READING SPRING WORKS, THEY HAD TO SEND THE SPECKS TO CHICAGO. MY FORD AERO STAR 4 WHEEL DRIVE & 4.0 V6 IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM AFTER MARKET. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO BUY NEW OR USED FORD SPRINGS WHICH ARE MADE IN CHINA. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ADMITS REPLACING COIL & LEAF SPRINGS ON SEVERAL MODELS. MIDAS WAS SO BUSY REPLACING FORD SPRINGS, THEY COULD NOT SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO INSTALL SPRINGS EVEN IF I HAD THE SPRINGS. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
20080212STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, HAD TO REPLACED WITH READING SPRING WORKS, THEY HAD TO SEND THE SPECKS TO CHICAGO. MY FORD AERO STAR 4 WHEEL DRIVE & 4.0 V6 IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM AFTER MARKET. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO BUY NEW OR USED FORD SPRINGS WHICH ARE MADE IN CHINA. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ADMITS REPLACING COIL & LEAF SPRINGS ON SEVERAL MODELS. MIDAS WAS SO BUSY REPLACING FORD SPRINGS, THEY COULD NOT SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO INSTALL SPRINGS EVEN IF I HAD THE SPRINGS. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
20080212STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, HAD TO REPLACED WITH READING SPRING WORKS, THEY HAD TO SEND THE SPECKS TO CHICAGO. MY FORD AERO STAR 4 WHEEL DRIVE & 4.0 V6 IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM AFTER MARKET. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO BUY NEW OR USED FORD SPRINGS WHICH ARE MADE IN CHINA. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ADMITS REPLACING COIL & LEAF SPRINGS ON SEVERAL MODELS. MIDAS WAS SO BUSY REPLACING FORD SPRINGS, THEY COULD NOT SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO INSTALL SPRINGS EVEN IF I HAD THE SPRINGS. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
20080212SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, HAD TO REPLACED WITH READING SPRING WORKS, THEY HAD TO SEND THE SPECKS TO CHICAGO. MY FORD AERO STAR 4 WHEEL DRIVE & 4.0 V6 IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM AFTER MARKET. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO BUY NEW OR USED FORD SPRINGS WHICH ARE MADE IN CHINA. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ADMITS REPLACING COIL & LEAF SPRINGS ON SEVERAL MODELS. MIDAS WAS SO BUSY REPLACING FORD SPRINGS, THEY COULD NOT SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO INSTALL SPRINGS EVEN IF I HAD THE SPRINGS. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
Compare 1994FORDAEROSTAR 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 1994 FORD AEROSTAR have?▼
The 1994 FORD AEROSTAR has 384 NHTSA complaints, 28 crashes, 33 fires, 42 injuries, and 8 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 FORD AEROSTAR?▼
The most-complained component for the 1994 FORD AEROSTAR is AIR BAGS with 28 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH and AIR BAGS:FRONTAL.
Is the 1994 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.