MYRModel Year Report

1989 Ford Aerostar

◆ Worse than typical
1989 Ford Aerostar
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
261
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1989

Investigations
9

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

36% of complaints

Complaints per year

1986: 53 complaints 1986 1987: 114 complaints 1988: 178 complaints 1989: 261 complaints 1989 261 1990: 197 complaints 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 1989: 261 complaints 1989 261 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 1989: 261 complaints 1989 261 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

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% · 93 reports

Most commonly citing switch and interior/under dash.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2006-10-03

While idling, van began smoking from under the hood until fire started. Converse fire dept., unable to detect cause..

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-07-03

Smoke started coming out of steering column. Resulting in vehicle fire. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-16

Fuel system, gasoline

21% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing tank assembly and filler pipe and cap.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Fuel pump failed, causing intermittent stalling.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-12-10

Seat belts

13% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASHINJURYDEATH

Power train

13% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and park/neutral start interlock switch.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle rolled backwards twice while in park gear, once causing injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-05-04

Engine and engine cooling

9% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 9 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1989Complaint volume 261 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1989-02-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-20 Power steering locking
  3. I
    1990-08-31Engineering analysisClosed 1991-12-31 Throttle sticking
  4. R
    1990-09-19Seats90V144000 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…

    Remedy: Replace seat pawl assembly with a revised design assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    1990-10-18Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-02-01 Liftgate failure
  6. I
    1991-02-01Engineering analysisClosed 1991-09-20 Liftgate failure
  7. I
    1991-09-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-11-08 Park pawl bending
  8. R
    1992-03-02Power train91V189000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    1992-06-04Seat belts91V164000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    1994-03-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-07-19 Seat belt buckle failure
  11. I
    1994-07-19Engineering analysisClosed 1997-09-30 Seat belt buckle failure
  12. 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 →

  13. I
    1996-08-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-12-20 Cracked fuel tanks
  14. I
    1996-12-20Engineering analysisClosed 1998-08-13 Cracked fuel tanks
  15. 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 →

  16. 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

1989 Ford Aerostar — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 93 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 55 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 33 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90V144000 · Seats
  • Recall 91V189000 · Power train
  • Recall 91V164000 · Seat belts
  • 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 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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.