VehicleVerdict

1989 Ford Aerostar problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 328 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Aerostar year — the 1989 model ranks #4 of 16 Aerostar years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 28 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 104 reports (32% of the total).

328

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

9

Investigations

26

Crash-involved

92

Fires reported

28

Injuries

4

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other Aerostar years?

Aerostar NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 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, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Aerostar years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Ford Aerostar problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System10432%
Fuel System5617%
Transmission3310%
Seat Belts3310%
Brakes258%
Engine247%
Speed Control134%
Tires & Wheels103%
Visibility & Wipers82%
Body & Structure72%
Steering72%
Suspension31%
Seats31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%

Does the 1989 Ford Aerostar have recalls?

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

98V190000Fuel SystemAugust 11, 1998 · 140,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA (10 SOUTHERN COUNTIES OF LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, SAN BERNADINO, SAN DIEGO, RIVERSIDE, VENTURA, SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, IMPERIAL, AND KERN), FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA (CLARK COUNTY), OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TEXAS, AND IN THE U.S. TERRITORIES COVERED BY THE FEDERAL STATUTES. THE UPPER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK CAN DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS DUE TO EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO VERY HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. FUEL VAPOR OR LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AT THESE CRACKS.

Consequence

IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, THROUGH MARCH 31, 2002. THIS COVERAGE WILL ONLY BE FOR STRUCTURAL CRACKS AT THE TOP OF THE TANK AND WILL NOT INCLUDE OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY AN ACCIDENT OR ROAD DEBRIS.

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.

96V071000Electrical SystemApril 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 units

Defect

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

91V189000TransmissionNovember 4, 1991 · 792,000 units

Defect

WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.

Consequence

DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OFGEAR UNINTENTIONALLY, VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHEN PARKED ON A SLOPED SURFACE, ANDINADVERTENT MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS CANRESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.

91V164000Seat BeltsSeptember 20, 1991 · 4,842 units

Defect

SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BAR FOR REAR SOFA FAILED TO SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210.

Consequence

VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210.

Remedy

REPLACE NONCOMPLYING SOFA BAR WITH BAR THAT MEETS REQUIREMENTS.

90V144000SeatsAugust 6, 1990 · 14,300 units

Defect

THE SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SEAT ASSEMBLY HAS A TILT FORWARD FUNCTION. A LATCH RETAINS THE SEAT IN THE NORMAL RIDE POSTION, AND THIS LATCH MAY RELEASE UNDER SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT CONDITIONS, ALLOWING THE SEAT TO PIVOT FORWARD.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT COULD PIVOTFORWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.

Remedy

REPLACE SEAT PAWL ASSEMBLY WITH A REVISED DESIGN ASSEMBLY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, LIKE ELECTRICAL WIRING. VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE ON WAY HOME. AFTER PARKING VEHICLE, LIFTED HOOD & NOTICED SPARKS & THEN FLAMES. EXTINGUISHER DIDN'T PUT FLAMES OUT. UNHOOKED BATTERY CABLES AT PRIVATE MECHANIC & INFORMED WAS ALTERNATOR & WRONG WIRES USED. ALTERNATOR &…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 8, 1997 · fire

“DUE TO THE DEFECT OF THE FUEL TANK LEAKING INTO THE IGNITION WHICH CAUSED A FIRE, RESULTING IN TOTAL VEHICLE DAMAGE, PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (98V-190). *YC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 14, 1998 · fire

“I WOULD LIKE MY 5 YEAR OLD SON TO BE SAFE IN THE BACK OF MY VAN. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS I ONLY HAVE LAP BELTS IN THE BACK. I NEED SHOULDER HARNESS BELTS FOR HIM TO BE SAFE IN HIS BOOSTER SEAT. I CONTACTED A FORD DEALERSHIP ABOUT HAVING IT INSTALLED. THEY WANTED AN OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY TO PUT ONE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts

“91V189000/TRANSMISSION AUTOMATIC: PARKED VEHICLE IN DRIVWAY, AFTER 15 -20 MINUTES LOCAL POLICE ARRIVED TO INFORM CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE HIT A PARKED VEHICLE, AND THAT GEAR WAS NOTICED IN DRIVE POSITION. NOTIFIED MANUFACTURER, AND INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL DUE TO VIN.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 25, 2000 · crash

“HAD SHIFTED INTO DRIVE & TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE,VEHICLE WENT FULL THROTTLE IN PARKING LOT. HIT PILLAR. HAD FAILED TO STOP WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK THE PROBLEM OCCURED AGAIN BUT THE DEALER SAYS THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *YH”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 22, 1999 · crash

1989 Ford Aerostar — common questions

Is the 1989 Ford Aerostar reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 328 complaints put the 1989 model at #4 of 16 Aerostar years. It is one of the Aerostar years to avoid.

What are the most common 1989 Aerostar problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (104 complaints), fuel system (56 complaints), seat belts (33 complaints).

Does the 1989 Ford Aerostar have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Ford Aerostar. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 Ford Aerostar under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 9 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.