MYRModel Year Report

1988 Ford Aerostar

● Typical for this model
1988 Ford Aerostar
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:45:56.136Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
178
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1988

Investigations
12

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Fuel system, gasoline

30% of complaints

Complaints per year

1986: 53 complaints 1986 1987: 114 complaints 1988: 178 complaints 1988 178 1989: 261 complaints 1990: 197 complaints 1990 1991: 223 complaints 1992: 318 complaints 1992 1993: 374 complaints 1994: 258 complaints 1994 1995: 157 complaints 1996: 104 complaints 1996 1997: 63 complaints 1998: 4 complaints 1998 1999: 7 complaints 2000: 6 complaints 2000
1986: 53 complaints 1986 1987: 114 complaints 1987 1988: 178 complaints 1988 178 1989: 261 complaints 1989 1990: 197 complaints 1990 1991: 223 complaints 1991 1992: 318 complaints 1992 1993: 374 complaints 1993 1994: 258 complaints 1994 1995: 157 complaints 1995 1996: 104 complaints 1996 1997: 63 complaints 1997 1998: 4 complaints 1998 1999: 7 complaints 1999 2000: 6 complaints 2000
1986: 53 complaints 1986 1987: 114 complaints 1987 1988: 178 complaints 1988 178 1989: 261 complaints 1989 1990: 197 complaints 1990 1991: 223 complaints 1991 1992: 318 complaints 1992 1993: 374 complaints 1993 1994: 258 complaints 1994 1995: 157 complaints 1995 1996: 104 complaints 1996 1997: 63 complaints 1997 1998: 4 complaints 1998 1999: 7 complaints 1999 2000: 6 complaints 2000

1988: 178 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19850
198653
1987114
1988178
1989261
1990197
1991223
1992318
1993374
1994258
1995157
1996104
199763
19984
19997
20006

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Fuel system, gasoline

30% · 53 reports

Most commonly citing tank assembly and filler pipe and cap.

FIRE

Electrical system

26% · 47 reports

Most commonly citing switch and front underhood.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Truck experienced electrical system failure. As a result the truck caught on fire within two hours after being parked. The fire originated under the hood. All the under hood electrical components were melted. The heat also cracked the windshield.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-11-03

Electrical fire in passenger compartment under driver seat. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-04-05

Seat belts

16% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and anchorage.

CRASHINJURY

Power train

9% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

CRASH

Engine and engine cooling

8% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-06-22

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 12 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1988-07-01Electrical system88V091000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1988-11-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-03-23 Windshield wiper motor
  3. I
    1988-12-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-08-03 Seat belt cutting
  4. I
    1989-02-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-20 Power steering locking
  5. I
    1989-03-23Engineering analysisClosed 1990-05-04 Windshield wiper motor
  6. I
    1990-08-31Engineering analysisClosed 1991-12-31 Throttle sticking
  7. I
    1990-10-18Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-02-01 Liftgate failure
  8. I
    1991-02-01Engineering analysisClosed 1991-09-20 Liftgate failure
  9. I
    1991-09-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-11-08 Park pawl bending
  10. R
    1991-10-15Structure91V136000 Some liftgate gas cylinder-to-body attachment ball studs may fracture in either the open or closed position.

    Remedy: Replace the gas cylinder-to-body attachment ball studs.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    1994-03-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-07-19 Seat belt buckle failure
  12. I
    1994-07-19Engineering analysisClosed 1997-09-30 Seat belt buckle failure
  13. R
    1996-06-07Electrical system96V071000 The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. I
    1996-08-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-12-20 Cracked fuel tanks
  15. I
    1996-12-20Engineering analysisClosed 1998-08-13 Cracked fuel tanks
  16. R
    1998-04-15Service brakes, air98E010000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. R
    1998-12-11Fuel system, gasoline98V190000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1988 Ford Aerostar — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Fuel system, gasoline: 53 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 47 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 29 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 88V091000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 91V136000 · Structure
  • Recall 96V071000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 98E010000 · Service brakes, air
  • Recall 98V190000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1988 Ford Aerostar reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Ford Aerostar is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1988 Ford Aerostar?
The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 Ford Aerostar have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.