1992 Ford Aerostar

◆ Worse than typical
1992 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.

Complaints
318
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1992

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

25% of complaints

Complaints per year

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 318 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 1990: 197 complaints 1990 1991: 223 complaints 1991 1992: 318 complaints 1992 318 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 1990: 197 complaints 1990 1991: 223 complaints 1991 1992: 318 complaints 1992 318 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

1992: 318 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.

Power train

25% · 79 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and column shift.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Electrical system

21% · 68 reports

Most commonly citing switch and front underhood.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl*the contact owns a 1992 Ford Aerostar. The contact stated that the ground wires are shorting out the brake lights and other wires underneath the dashboard. He also stated that his windows are not working.

NHTSA ODI report, 2007-07-13

Service brakes

20% · 65 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Air bags

10% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

During a head on collision at 50MPH, air bag did not deploy. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-06

Engine and engine cooling

8% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1992Complaint volume 318 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1997-10-29Recall queryClosed 1999-04-01 Parking pawl
  3. R
    1998-02-16Power train97V204000 Vehicle description: all wheel drive passenger minivans. These vehicles can develop powertrain bending resonance or transfer case output shaft bushing displacement. The powertrain bending…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new transfer case rear output shaft bushing and an aluminum driveshaft will be installed.

  4. 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…

  5. I
    1998-07-31Recall queryClosed 1999-01-07 Transfer cases and rear driveshaft
  6. I
    1999-01-07Engineering analysisClosed 2000-11-14 Transfer cases and rear drive shaft
  7. R
    1999-03-19Electrical system99V029000 Vehicle description: mini vans. These vehicles were produced with a higher than specified electrical load through the accessory power feed circuit. The potential for contact between the B2…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a jumper harness with a relay which will re-route and activate all A2 accessories through the relay.

  8. I
    1999-05-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-09-23 Front brake hose
  9. R
    1999-06-17Power train99V094000 Vehicle description: all wheel drive passenger minivans. (This includes all 1992 awd aerostars not previously included in safety recall 97V-204/97S83). These vehicles can develop powertrain bending…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new transfer case rear output shaft bushing and an aluminum driveshaft will be installed.

  10. I
    2002-10-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-03-10 Luggage compartment door drops abruptly
  11. R
    2006-03-20Service brakes, hydraulic06E022000 Certain aftermarket brake hydraulic master cylinders sold as replacement brake cylinders for certain Ford, daimlerchrysler, and Jeep passenger vehicles. These brake cylinders were sold under the…

    Remedy: Affinia (Brake parts, inc.) will replace the subject brake hydraulic master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2006. Owners can contact affina group customer service at…

Buy-smart checklist

1992 Ford Aerostar — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 79 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 68 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 65 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V204000 · Power train
  • Recall 98E010000 · Service brakes, air
  • Recall 99V029000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 99V094000 · Power train
  • Recall 06E022000 · Service brakes, hydraulic

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1992 Ford Aerostar reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1992 Ford Aerostar is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Ford Aerostar?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1992 Ford Aerostar have?
5 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.