MYRModel Year Report

1988 Ford Aerostar

● Typical for this model
1988 Ford Aerostar
RENDERED 2026-09-17T05:41:10.340Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Aerostar Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1986: 53 complaints 1986 1987: 114 complaints 1988: 178 complaints 1988 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
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%

30% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 53 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and filler pipe and cap.

FIRE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 26%

26% of complaints: electrical system — 47 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and front underhood.

FIRE INJURY
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.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20031103

ELECTRICAL FIRE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT UNDER DRIVER SEAT. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950405

SEAT BELTS 16%

16% of complaints: seat belts — 29 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and anchorage.

CRASH INJURY
POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

CRASH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%

8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 19950622

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19880701 — electrical system

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

I 19881101 — PE (closed 19890323)

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR

I 19881209 — PE (closed 19890803)

SEAT BELT CUTTING

I 19890223 — PE (closed 19890720)

POWER STEERING LOCKING

I 19890323 — EA (closed 19900504)

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR

I 19900831 — EA (closed 19911231)

THROTTLE STICKING

I 19901018 — PE (closed 19910201)

LIFTGATE FAILURE

I 19910201 — EA (closed 19910920)

LIFTGATE FAILURE

I 19910916 — PE (closed 19911108)

PARK PAWL BENDING

R 19911015 — structure

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.

Campaign 91V136000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19940304 — PE (closed 19940719)

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

I 19940719 — EA (closed 19970930)

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

R 19960607 — electrical system

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Campaign 96V071000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19960806 — PE (closed 19961220)

CRACKED FUEL TANKS

I 19961220 — EA (closed 19980813)

CRACKED FUEL TANKS

R 19980415 — service brakes, air

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

R 19981211 — fuel system, gasoline

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, SA

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 BY

Campaign 98V190000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Ford Aerostar — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (53 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (47 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (29 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 88V091000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 91V136000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V071000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98E010000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V190000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 1997 ▲ 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 1993 ◆ 1992 ◆ 1989

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.