MYRModel Year Report

1989 Ford Aerostar

◆ Worse than typical
1989 Ford Aerostar
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Aerostar Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1989 highlighted. 1986: 53 complaints 1986 1987: 114 complaints 1988: 178 complaints 1988 1989: 261 complaints 1989 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
1989: 261 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 36%

36% of complaints: electrical system — 93 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and interior/under dash.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

MY FORD AEROSTAR CAUGHT FIRE LAST NIGHT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. MY DAUGHTER HAD RETURNED FROM SCHOOL AND PARKED IT IN THE DRIVEWAY. APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS LATER, A NEIGHBOR RANG THE DOOR BELL AND FRANTICALLY SAID "YOUR VAN IS ON FIRE".

NHTSA ODI report, 20061003

WHILE IDLING, VAN BEGAN SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD UNTIL FIRE STARTED. CONVERSE FIRE DEPT., UNABLE TO DETECT CAUSE.. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19950703

SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF STEERING COLUMN. RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950216

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 21%

21% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 55 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and filler pipe and cap.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

FUEL PUMP FAILED, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19941210

SEAT BELTS 13%

13% of complaints: seat belts — 33 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
POWER TRAIN 13%

13% of complaints: power train — 33 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and park/neutral start interlock switch.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS TWICE WHILE IN PARK GEAR, ONCE CAUSING INJURIES. *AW

NHTSA ODI report, 19950504

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1989 — complaint volume: 261
I 19890223 — PE (closed 19890720)

POWER STEERING LOCKING

I 19900831 — EA (closed 19911231)

THROTTLE STICKING

R 19900919 — seats

THE SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SEAT ASSEMBLY HAS A TILT FORWARD FUNCTION. A LATCH RETAINS THE SEAT IN THE NORMAL RIDE POSTION, AND THIS LATCH MAY RELEASE UNDER SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT CONDITIONS, ALLOWING T

Remedy: REPLACE SEAT PAWL ASSEMBLY WITH A REVISED DESIGN ASSEMBLY.

Campaign 90V144000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19901018 — PE (closed 19910201)

LIFTGATE FAILURE

I 19910201 — EA (closed 19910920)

LIFTGATE FAILURE

I 19910916 — PE (closed 19911108)

PARK PAWL BENDING

R 19920302 — power train

WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.

Remedy: REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.

Campaign 91V189000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19920604 — seat belts

SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BAR FOR REAR SOFA FAILED TO SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210.

Remedy: REPLACE NONCOMPLYING SOFA BAR WITH BAR THAT MEETS REQUIREMENTS.

Campaign 91V164000 — 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

1989 Ford Aerostar — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (93 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (55 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (33 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 90V144000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 91V189000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 91V164000 (seat belts) 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 ◆ 1994

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1989 Ford Aerostar reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Ford Aerostar is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Ford Aerostar?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1989 Ford Aerostar have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.