1989 Ford Aerostar transmission problems

The 1989 Ford Aerostar has 33 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Transmission complaints

10%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Aerostar transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1989 Ford Aerostar have?

NHTSA has 33 complaints about the 1989 Ford Aerostar transmission — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1989 Ford Aerostar transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 91V189000.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.