VehicleVerdict

1986 Ford Aerostar electrical system problems

The 1986 Ford Aerostar has 24 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 33% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

24

Electrical System complaints

33%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Aerostar electrical system complaints by model year111 complaints1986: 24 complaints1987: 44 complaints1988: 50 complaints1989: 104 complaints1990: 61 complaints1991: 77 complaints1992: 71 complaints1993: 111 complaints1994: 81 complaints1995: 43 complaints1996: 14 complaints1997: 17 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 1 complaints2000: 1 complaints
Aerostar electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1986 Ford Aerostar have?

NHTSA has 24 complaints about the 1986 Ford Aerostar electrical system — 33% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1986 Ford Aerostar electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 88V091000.

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.