Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 1987 Ford Aerostar is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 140 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 44 reports (31% of the total).
140
NHTSA complaints
5
Recalls
20
Investigations
7
Crash-involved
53
Fires reported
5
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 44 | 31% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 24 | 17% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 19 | 14% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 15 | 11% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 7 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 7 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 5 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 4 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Seats | 4 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 3 | 2% | — flat |
| Latches & Locks | 3 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 3 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Other | 2 | 1% | ▲ up |
5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
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.
Defect
SOME LIFTGATE GAS CYLINDER-TO-BODY ATTACHMENT BALL STUDS MAY FRACTURE IN EITHER THE OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION.
Consequence
IF A BALL STUD FRACTURES, THE LIFTGATE WILL NOT REMAIN INTHE OPEN POSITION. BODILY INJURY COULD RESULT IF THE LIFTGATE DROPS WHILESOMEONE IS UNDER IT.
Remedy
REPLACE THE GAS CYLINDER-TO-BODY ATTACHMENT BALL STUDS.
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.
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.
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“PARKED VEHICLE FUNNY ODOR AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. *AK CONSUMER HAD DRIVEN VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE AND SMELLED AN ODOR, SHE THOUGHT HER BRAKES WERE HOT, CONSUMER THEN PULLED TO THE CURB, WHILE CONSUMER WAS CALLING FOR A TOW TRUCK THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, CONSUMER…”
“WHILE DRIVING VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VAN BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED. FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE WHOLE VAN WAS BURNT, NOTHING WAS LEFT BUT THE FRAMEOF THE VEHICLE AND THE TWO REAR TIRES. *AK”
“DRIVING AT APPROX 28-29MPH ,WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CAME OUT UNEXPECTEDLY, HITTING VEHICLE, SEATBELT WHICH ARE ON REELS AND SUPPOSE TO LOCK ON IMPACT , DID NOT, CAUSING PASSENGER TO HIT WINDSHIELD , DRIVER HIT STEERING WHEEL DUE TO DEFECT , DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT PROBLEM…”
“WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20 MPH AND 40 MPH TRANSMISSION WENT OUT TWICE, AND CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE TRANMISSION REPLACED. CURRENTLY, WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH TRANMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL,AND THE CONSUMER CAN'T MOVE VEHICLE OR START THE VEHICLE UP FOR A WHILE. ALSO, VEHICLE IS STALLING AND THE CONSUMER…”
“OWNER STATED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP, WHILE PARKED FOR THREE HOUR IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE EXPLODED, CAUSING A FIRE IN THE FRONT PART OF VEHICLE. NO PRIOR WARNING OR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK”
It is close to typical for the Aerostar: 140 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 20 investigations on file.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (44 complaints), engine (24 complaints), seat belts (19 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Ford Aerostar. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 20 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
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.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.