VehicleVerdict

1986 Ford Aerostar problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1986 Ford Aerostar is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 9 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 72 owner complaints run below the Aerostar median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 24 reports (33% of the total).

72

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

17

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

26

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other Aerostar years?

Aerostar NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted541 complaints1985: 0 complaints1986: 72 complaints1987: 140 complaints1988: 230 complaints1989: 328 complaints1990: 254 complaints1991: 282 complaints1992: 439 complaints1993: 541 complaints1994: 384 complaints1995: 204 complaints1996: 124 complaints1997: 83 complaints1998: 4 complaints1999: 13 complaints2000: 11 complaints
Aerostar NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Aerostar years to avoid →

What are the most common 1986 Ford Aerostar problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2433%
Engine1825%
Transmission710%
Fuel System57%
Seat Belts57%
Steering34%
Latches & Locks23%
Speed Control23%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Other11%
Seats11%
Body & Structure11%
Brakes11%

Does the 1986 Ford Aerostar have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E064000Fuel SystemAugust 27, 2007 · 34,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Consequence

A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

98E010000BrakesApril 8, 1998 · 23,500 units

Defect

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.

90V021000Fuel SystemFebruary 8, 1990 · 91,000 units

Defect

INSUFFICIENT INTERFERENCE FIT BETWEEN FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND GROMMET COULD RESULT IN AN INADEQUATE SEAL WHICH COULD ALLOW FUEL TO SEEP FROM THE JOINT.

Consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

INSTALL A REVISED DESIGN GROMMET.

89V226000Seat BeltsDecember 18, 1989 · 118,787 units

Defect

VANS WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT PLASTIC COVER DESIGNED TO COVER OUTBOARD SEAT BACK PIVOT HINGE ALLOWING WEBBING OF FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE SAFETY BELTS TO BECOME ABRADED OR CUT DUE TO CONTACT WITH EXPOSED HINGE.

Consequence

DAMAGE TO BELT WEBBING COULD WEAKEN BELTS TO POINT OFFAILURE INCREASING RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT OR A SUDDEN STOP.

Remedy

INSTALL PLASTIC PIVOT COVER; REPLACE BELTS AS NECESSARY.

88V145000SeatsSeptember 2, 1988 · 90,000 units

Defect

WIRING FOR THE POWER LUMBAR SEAT SYSTEM WAS ROUTED DIRECTLY BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION SPRINGS AND MAY BE ABRADED BY THE SPRINGS.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH MAY CREATESUFFICIENT HEAT TO START A FIRE IN THE SEAT CUSHION PAD AND/OR TRIM COVER.

Remedy

INSTALL A FUSE WITHIN THE POWER LUMBAR ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.

88V091000Electrical SystemJune 6, 1988 · 60,000 units

Defect

VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TRAILER TOW PACKAGE HAVE A TRAILER TAILLIGHT RELAY ASSEMBLY THAT CONTAINS WIRES OF SMALLER GAUGE THAN THE FUSE LINK WHICH PROTECTS THE CIRCUIT.

Consequence

SHOULD A SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THE WIRING WITHIN THERELAY OR IF WATER INTRUSION OCCURS THE SMALLER GAUGE WIRE IN THE RELAY WILLFUNCTION AS A FUSE LINK AND OVERHEAT. THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR A FIRE IF THEWIRES ARE EXPOSED TO COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS.

Remedy

INSTALLATION OF A RELAY WITH WIRES OF GAUGE ADEQUATE TO PROTECT THE CIRCUIT.

87V139000Fuel SystemSeptember 4, 1987 · 3,600,000 units

Defect

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Consequence

COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.

Remedy

INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

86V123000Fuel SystemSeptember 2, 1986 · 107 units

Defect

FUEL TANKS MAY HAVE BEEN SCORED OR PENETRATED WHEN FLOOR PAN MOUNTING HOLES FOR THE PARTITIONS WERE DRILLED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE WOULD EXIST.

Remedy

REPLACE FUEL TANKS AS NECESSARY.

86V006000SuspensionJanuary 22, 1986 · 38,947 units

Defect

THERE MAY BE INADEQUATE WELDING IN SOME UNDERBODY STRUCTURAL AREAS, INCLUDING THOSE AT THE REAR SUSPENSION ATTACHMENTS, WHICH MAY CAUSE IT TO SEPARATE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF REAR SUSPENSION ATTACHMENTS SHOULD SEPARATE FROM THE UNDERBODY DURING VEHICLE USE, THE AXLE COULD SHIFT DURING ACCELERATION OR BRAKING AND MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE STEERING CONTROL WHICH MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REINFORCE SUSPECT WELD LOCATIONS AND MODIFY TO PREVENT WELD FAILURE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

PARKED VEHICLE IN GARAGE;TURNED OFF IGNITION;REMOVED KEY;LATER, NOTICED FLASH OF LIGHT; CHECK GARAGE/VEHICLE, BLACK SMOKE/FLAMES COMING FROM FRONT INSIDE OF CAR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 12, 1995 · fire

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FOR NO REASON. THIS WAS THE SECOND FIRE THAT HAS OCCURRED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · fire

WHEN APPLYING GAS THERE IS NO POWER, AS IF VEHICLE IS IN NEUTRAL. DEALER SAYS THE VEHICLE HAS THE WRONG TRANSMISSION IN IT. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission

SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN EVENFLO CHILD SAFETY SEAT, CAUSING THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT TO FLIP OVER DURING ACCIDENT/INJURY. *SD

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · February 7, 1996

THE GROMMET IN THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING. FUEL IS ESCAPING FROM THE TANK AND MAY CAUSE A FIRE. THERE IS A CONSTANT ESCAPE OF FUEL MOVING OR STATIONARY. THEREFORE THIS SYSTEM WILL NOT PASS SMOG BECAUSE WHEN PRESSURIZED, IT WILL NOT HOLD AIR. THIS IS A CALIFORNIA REQUIREMENT. IT IS ALSO MOST…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 1, 2016

1986 Ford Aerostar — common questions

Is the 1986 Ford Aerostar reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 72 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Aerostar year, with 9 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1986 Aerostar problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (24 complaints), engine (18 complaints), transmission (7 complaints).

Does the 1986 Ford Aerostar have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Ford Aerostar. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1986 Ford Aerostar under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 17 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Aerostar years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Aerostar years to avoid are 1993, 1992, 1994, 1989, 1991. The cleanest record among Aerostar years belongs to 1985.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.