1991 Ford Aerostar transmission problems

The 1991 Ford Aerostar has 56 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 20% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Transmission complaints

20%

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

“CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, GOT OUT AND TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. ACCIDENTLY, LEFT THE GEAR IN REVERSE. CONSUMER THEN LEANED AGAINST THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE HIT THE SIDE OF THE CARPORT AND STOPPED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT'S…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 15, 1997 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1991 Ford Aerostar have?

NHTSA has 56 complaints about the 1991 Ford Aerostar transmission — 20% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1991 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.