1987 Ford Aerostar electrical system problems

The 1987 Ford Aerostar has 44 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 31% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Electrical System complaints

31%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

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 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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 25, 1996 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1987 Ford Aerostar have?

NHTSA has 44 complaints about the 1987 Ford Aerostar electrical system — 31% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1987 Ford Aerostar electrical system?

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

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.