1986 Ford Aerostar
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 0 |
| 1986 | 53 |
| 1987 | 114 |
| 1988 | 177 |
| 1989 | 260 |
| 1990 | 195 |
| 1991 | 223 |
| 1992 | 317 |
| 1993 | 374 |
| 1994 | 257 |
| 1995 | 157 |
| 1996 | 104 |
| 1997 | 63 |
| 1998 | 4 |
| 1999 | 7 |
| 2000 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file.
FIRE13% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
PARKED VEHICLE IN GARAGE;TURNED OFF IGNITION;REMOVED KEY;LATER, NOTICED FLASH OF LIGHT; CHECK GARAGE/VEHICLE, BLACK SMOKE/FLAMES COMING FROM FRONT INSIDE OF CAR
NHTSA ODI report, 19960209
13% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file.
FIRE11% of complaints: power train — 6 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: seat belts — 3 distinct reports on file.
INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
THERE MAY BE INADEQUATE WELDING IN SOME UNDERBODY STRUCTURAL AREAS, INCLUDING THOSE AT THE REAR SUSPENSION ATTACHMENTS, WHICH MAY CAUSE IT TO SEPARATE.
Remedy: REINFORCE SUSPECT WELD LOCATIONS AND MODIFY TO PREVENT WELD FAILURE.
Campaign 86V006000 — check if this car was fixed
FUEL TANKS MAY HAVE BEEN SCORED OR PENETRATED WHEN FLOOR PAN MOUNTING HOLES FOR THE PARTITIONS WERE DRILLED.
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL TANKS AS NECESSARY.
Campaign 86V123000 — check if this car was fixed
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
REAR BRAKE LOCKUP
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
Campaign 87V139000 — check if this car was fixed
CRNKSHFT PULLEY BOLT FAILR
REAR BRAKE LOCKUP
DOOR FALLS OFF
FUEL LEAKAGE
UNDER SEAT FIRES
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.
Remedy: INSTALLATION OF A RELAY WITH WIRES OF GAUGE ADEQUATE TO PROTECT THE CIRCUIT.
Campaign 88V091000 — check if this car was fixed
FILLER PIPE SEAL
WIRING FOR THE POWER LUMBAR SEAT SYSTEM WAS ROUTED DIRECTLY BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION SPRINGS AND MAY BE ABRADED BY THE SPRINGS.
Remedy: INSTALL A FUSE WITHIN THE POWER LUMBAR ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.
Campaign 88V145000 — check if this car was fixed
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR
SEAT BELT CUTTING
POWER STEERING LOCKING
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR
SAFETY BELT FRAYING
VANS WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT PLASTIC COVER DESIGNED TO COVER OUTBOARD SEAT BACK PIVOT HINGE ALLOWING WEBBING OF FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE SAFETY BELTS TO BECOME ABRADED OR CUT DUE TO CONTACT WITH EXPOSED HIN
Remedy: INSTALL PLASTIC PIVOT COVER; REPLACE BELTS AS NECESSARY.
Campaign 89V226000 — check if this car was fixed
INSUFFICIENT INTERFERENCE FIT BETWEEN FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND GROMMET COULD RESULT IN AN INADEQUATE SEAL WHICH COULD ALLOW FUEL TO SEEP FROM THE JOINT.
Remedy: INSTALL A REVISED DESIGN GROMMET.
Campaign 90V021000 — check if this car was fixed
THROTTLE STICKING
LIFTGATE FAILURE
LIFTGATE FAILURE
PARK PAWL BENDING
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.
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 F
Campaign 98E010000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHIC
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
Campaign 07E064000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1986 Ford Aerostar — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 86V006000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 86V123000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 87V139000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 88V091000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 88V145000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 89V226000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 90V021000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98E010000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E064000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1986 Ford Aerostar reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1986 Ford Aerostar is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Ford Aerostar?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1986 Ford Aerostar have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.