VehicleVerdict

1997 Ford Aerostar problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1997 Ford Aerostar is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 83 owner complaints run below the Aerostar median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (17), transmission (11), and speed control (10), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

83

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Aerostar years?

Aerostar NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 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, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Aerostar years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Ford Aerostar problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1720%
Transmission1113%
Speed Control1012%
Tires & Wheels1012%
Brakes78%
Fuel System45%
Suspension45%
Airbags45%
Steering34%
Engine34%
Latches & Locks34%
Seat Belts22%
Other22%
Body & Structure11%
Lighting11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 1997 Ford Aerostar have recalls?

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

06E022000BrakesMarch 13, 2006 · 7,440 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

00V425000Speed ControlDecember 26, 2000 · 36,500 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES. AN ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS KINKED DURING INSTALLATION, CAUSING THE CORE WIRES TO EVENTUALLY FRAY.

Consequence

THIS COULD INCREASE THE FRICTION IN THE CABLE, CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO BE SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ACCELERATOR CABLE.

99V029000Electrical SystemFebruary 9, 1999 · 762,201 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A HIGHER THAN SPECIFIED ELECTRICAL LOAD THROUGH THE ACCESSORY POWER FEED CIRCUIT. THE POTENTIAL FOR CONTACT BETWEEN THE B2 (BATTERY), A2 (ACCESSORY), AND P1 (PROOF) CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR, CREATING A SHORT CIRCUIT, ALLOWING CURRENT TO FLOW THROUGH THE GROUND WIRE.

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE OVER HEATING AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A JUMPER HARNESS WITH A RELAY WHICH WILL RE-ROUTE AND ACTIVATE ALL A2 ACCESSORIES THROUGH THE RELAY.

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.

97V204000TransmissionNovember 13, 1997 · 75,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER MINIVANS. THESE VEHICLES CAN DEVELOP POWERTRAIN BENDING RESONANCE OR TRANSFER CASE OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING DISPLACEMENT. THE POWERTRAIN BENDING RESONANCE OR THE OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING DISPLACEMENT CAN RESULT IN STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND/OR TRANSFER CASE. FLUID EXPLUSION, DRIVESHAFT SEPARATION OR LOSS OF VEHICLE DRIVE CAN RESULT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND, IF THE EXPELLED FLUID CONTACTS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TRANSFER CASE REAR OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING AND AN ALUMINUM DRIVESHAFT WILL BE INSTALLED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MY 1997 FORD AERO STAR VAN PRODUCED A PUFF OF SMOKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE IGNITION SWITCH. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHOM CHECKED THE RECALL NOTICES AND FOUND ONE RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD SHORT CIRCUIT AND OVERHEATING IN THE STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. WHEN THE KEY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 15, 2005 · fire

“FORD RECOMMENDS INCORRECT ADJUSTMENT OF REAR BRAKES, WHICH CAUSES OVERHEATING OF DRUMS AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF AXLE SEALS, AXLE BEARINGS, AND TIRE ON THE RIM ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE DRUM. FORD STIPULATES THAT BRAKE SHOES ARE TO BE TOUCHING DRUM WHEN BRAKES ARE ADJUSTED. THIS RESULTS IN FRICTIONAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 17, 2001 · fire

“CONSUMER WAS TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY OFF OF A SMALL STREET, APPLIED BRAKES, AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF ON ITS OWN. RPMS WENT UP, AND THE REAR TIRES WERE SPINNING. VEHICLE HIT A GARAGE WALL AND DOOR. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 24, 2000 · crash

“WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED RAPIDLY, WHICH RESULTED IN COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE TIRE. *AK THE WHEEL WELL AND BUMPER WERE DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE FAILURE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AND IT FAILED AGAIN WHILE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 20, 2003

“CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE, PRESSED BRAKES, WENT TO REVERSE AND VEHICLE ACCELLERATED AT HIGH SPEED, RACING 100 FEET DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE ROAD, JUMPED A CURVE AND TORE DOWN APPPROX. 70 FT. OF CHAINLINK FENCE. THE PIPE FROM FENCE BROKE BACK WINDOW OF VEHICLE ,PERTRUDING THROUGH HITTING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 10, 1997 · crash

1997 Ford Aerostar — common questions

Is the 1997 Ford Aerostar reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 83 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Aerostar year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1997 Aerostar problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (17 complaints), transmission (11 complaints), speed control (10 complaints).

Does the 1997 Ford Aerostar have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Ford Aerostar. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Ford Aerostar under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 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.